Curtis Buchanan: Windsor Master
Tour the work and shop of one of the country's most distinguished makers of Windsor chairs.
Oct 08, 2014
Tennessean Curtis Buchanan is one of the country’s most distinguished makers of Windsor chairs. Working primarily with hand tools in the small shop he built behind his house in the heart of the small town of Jonesborough, he cultivates contentment rather than a flashy client list.
Drawing on expertise developed over decades of trial and error, as well as through working alongside other chairmakers, Buchanan designs and builds a wide range of traditional Windsors. He also produces some in a more contemporary vein.
Anyone who has met Curtis will know that it’s as much fun to listen to him as it is to watch him work. This audio slideshow, photographed and recorded in his shop, presents the chairmaker–and the character–in his own words.
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Comments
where is the link to the audio slide show?
I've recently watched all of Mr. Buchanan's videos from his website and they are very interesting and detailed. What an excellent interview/slide show.
One day, the world will be left without great talents like this who know who to make units of furniture by hand. We need to come up with a good apprenticeship solution so such wonderful trades are not lost in time!
Using basic tools, Mr. Buchanan makes chairs much better than any machine can make. He knows how to teach his craft as well. Keep up the great work Mr. Buchanan.
What a lovely man! Inspiring words.
Curtis, you captured the essence and appeal of work for those who are willing to embrace it. I spent my life teaching future healthcare practitioners about the brain and its dysfunction. Year after year, class after class, the same thing. Just updated with new findings. But every class, like every chair for you, pushed me to be a little better and I never grew weary of it. Retired now I bring the joy of work you so elegantly describe to my own woodworking. Thanks so much for doing this piece. It was really excellent.
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