Today we’d like to introduce you to Karsten Lee Contemporary Designs.
Karsten Lee Contemporary Designs, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was born and raised in Germany. I recently became a citizen of the United States in 2017. My love for wood and woodworking dates back to 1976, even though I pursued an Engineering career. I am continuously improving my skill by building unique custom furniture for many years. My projects generally start with a creative design idea first, very intricate. Then, I figure out how it can be done. Due to my native German engineering mind, no design is too complex or difficult to build but is rather a matter of the right tooling and precision. Often times, it requires custom tooling which I build myself.
I prefer to handpick the lumber based on projects and what I keep in stock. The wood I choose is kiln dried and in its raw form. I prefer to use hardwoods such as Black Walnut, Maple, Purple Heart, Mahogany, Brazilian Rosewood, just to mention a few. I usually stock a large quantity of lumber to make sure the wood is in equilibrium, in a fully climate-controlled shop. From processing the final product, everything is done in-house. This process guarantees the highest quality and accuracy.
October 2016, I added my last piece of machinery to my collection… the lathe, with the idea to use it for certain pieces on custom furniture. I then started building bowls and vases in segmented techniques. I entered a local juried judged art competition and took first place for my creation. I got so many great compliments that I decided to start creating more bowls and vases. I participated in an art show with some other artists and sold so many pieces. I even created a Texas Star ornament, which became in high demand. I have been told that my work sets me apart from other woodturners because the bowls are usually large to very large and are always thinned
walled.
I like to name my bowls after cities in Italy. Through my travels in Europe, Italy was my favorite place. My bowls are one of a kind. I will never repeat a creation. My wife challenged me to create a bowl with the Mercedes Emblem at the bottom foot… challenge was accepted and the bowl was made, and then sold to a man who dearly loves Mercedes-Benz. However, that bowl was named “Stuttgart.” The place Mercedes-Benz is made. The most important thing to me is that people love my designs and craftsmanship. I am currently showing my creations at Central Market Fine Art Gallery, located at Conroe Central Market Antique Mall, Conroe, Texas.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I create unique, one-of-a-kind segmented wood bowls and vases. I touched base in the previous statement on how I start and finish a bowl or vase. I recently have been taking on commission workpieces. If you have a design or an idea I can create it. I just finished a custom game table made from black walnut. Now, I am creating a custom over-sized desk with drawers, made of maple, to fit in a turret of a home. My wood pieces are created with love… a man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman, but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist… Louis Nizer.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
There are so many artists out there trying to get noticed, so they often copy what other artists are doing. I try really hard not to fall into that arena. I do believe I have conquered that. I don’t mass produce. I have no way of making mass copies of my work. Where other artists can scan their work and make giclees and mass sell them. Each piece I create is one-of-a-kind and I am happy with that.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can visit my website. On Facebook: Karten Lee Contemporary Designs. Central Market Fine Art Gallery, located at Conroe Central Market Antique Mall, downtown Conroe, Texas.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.karstenlee.com
- Phone: 312-479-5058
- Email: karsten@karstenlee.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/karstenleecontemporarydesigns
Image Credit:
Kari Schmidt-Pukropski
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