For the past few months I have been experimenting with kumiko for the first time. It has been a very difficult process, because this kind of work requires critical geometric thinking, precision, and patients. The isometric grid work caught my eye on Instagram over a year ago and I knew then I had explore this concept. It was just about finding the right time and confidence to begin this new craft. At this point, I believe I have just stuck my toes in the water. I have researched the wonder world of kumiko to find that it really is a whole subset of woodworking, one that is much broader than you would initially imagine (like most things in life really) but the beautiful pictures of work I see hidden in little corners of the internet, mostly coming from Japan, inspire me to continue to dive further into the weeds to see what I can pull out. 

 

For these pieces I wanted to do something different, as I usually try to do. Most kumiko infill design patterns are inspirations from nature, the most popular being Asa no ha, which resembles a hemp leaf. Because of this connection to nature, I had the idea to combine some form of plant life with these designs. Eventually the concept of integrating persevered moss panels and kumiko was the one I felt good about. The moss was once living, harvested, preserved and dyed (in this case Basil). It is maintenance free, requiring no watering, making it a perfect inter-material design with wood. The purpose is wall art. I hope people like it.  

Michael Thomas Olin