Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhodes Hinman.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started my woodworking career eight years ago when I randomly fell into a job at a cabinet shop. From that point, my interest in making things grew more and more oriented toward creative and detailed work. My drive to make beautiful furniture and objects led me to move from my hometown of Austin to Olympia, Washington to study furniture design and woodworking at The Evergreen State College. I studied there for three years, earning my BA and stretching the possibilities of what I imagined furniture could be and pulling as many creative ideas out of my brain as I possibly could. I have always had an artistic inclination. Making things that are both functional and beautiful proved to be the perfect outlet. After finishing school, I moved back to Austin and started my own studio, Rhodes Hinman Craft + Design. I am now focused on making contemporary furniture that is built to be enjoyed for a lifetime and passed down to future generations.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I make furniture that is simple in form, but complex in detail. The details act as the punctuation for the linear compositions. They bring depth and purpose to the elegant but unfulfilled lines. They supply a sense of identity that reflects my own, that of the potential interactor, and the environment in which the work exists. The subtle texture on the underside of an armrest, or the selective use of accent colors in a cabinet; these small and unassuming interactions can have a lasting effect that is not always readily apparent. They can affect the engagement of a person with the piece, and in turn affect that person’s engagement with their environment. I believe that innovation does not have to be a complete departure from the past or a grand gesture that demands attention. It can be in the small moments that expand and elaborate on ingrained traditions of technique, design styles, and cultural narratives to create environments that encourage engagement, conversation, and interaction. I am drawn to furniture as a medium because of its ability to make strong statements in subtle and unassuming ways – statements that we sit in and with and grow as we do. I enjoy making things that are comfortable enough to invite interaction, but strange enough to encourage contemplation. I want my work to exist as a harmonious piece of the environment – contributing rather than detracting; sharing rather than constricting.
The stereotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
Cultivate useful skills that can be used to earn an income, but are also relevant to your artistic path. For me, this means building lots of kitchen cabinets. Cabinets are not something I am extremely passionate about, but over time I have learned how to do them well, and I find it satisfying enough. Cabinet jobs afford me the opportunity to still work for myself and make my own schedule that includes making prototypes of furniture of my own design, while not needing to solely rely on my purely artistic pursuits for income. It is still woodworking though, so I am consistently gaining problem solving and technical skills that can be applied to the work I actually want to make. For me it is cabinet making, but for a photographer it could be taking wedding gigs or a producer recording music for artists they might not be as passionate about. The thing about being a working artist is that it is a REAL job that takes a lot more skills than just the making and creating part. There is absolutely nothing wrong with earning an income doing something else, especially if that income goes along with learning skills that will contribute to eventually having a completely independent and successful artistic practice.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My website www.rhodeshinman.com, features a portfolio of my previous work, current projects, and ways to contact me. The best way to see my work is to commission a piece of furniture! I strongly believe in making an effort to offer different types of pieces that fit varying income levels. Fine furniture is something that has often been exclusively available to the ultra-wealthy. It is possible though, and an important goal of mine to make well designed and well-made furniture available to a broader audience. If you are in the Austin area and would like to come see my studio where all of those ideas become reality, please get in touch and we can schedule a time to make that happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rhodeshinman.com
- Email: rhodeshinman@gmail.com
- Instagram: rhodes.hinman
Image Credit:
Hannah Armstrong, Simon Klein
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