This was a commission to fancy up a santos veneered Herman Miller LTR . I sanded down the top, which is always a weird moment the first time I run that sand paper across a perfectly fine, factory applied finish, stenciled the design and started painting. Three colors this time. I then applied a semigloss lacquer and then hand rubbed the surface with some steel wool and beeswax.
Totem Tray
This danish modern teak tray was an estate sale find that just begged for a totem design…
Deck Art!
Rochester Michigan has their annual “Deck Show” every spring. They invite the community at large to purchase a skateboard deck at the South Street Skate Shop, art it up, and have them displayed throughout the downtown’s many shops. Below it the design I’ve submitted for this years event.
Tall 670 Totem Process
I’ve had this idea for a while now… Do a three panel totem using the three bent plywood panels of an entire Eames Lounge Chair. It was just a matter of acquiring all the matching panels. Once I had those in my possession, it was just a matter of making it a reality. Below are some shots of the process…
Sontos Palisander panels have been stripped.
Designs are then transferred to the panels by mean of the “cartoon”.
Detail of the image transfer.
Laying in the paint. One stroke at a time.
I crafted a frame to support all three panels.
The final totem… Air, Sea, Earth
Laying the paint in...
This is a shot of my next 3D piece in progress. A skull image on a Herman Miller Eames designed DCW back.
Skull Totem DCM
Mock up for my next totem piece...
Deck Designs!
Just added to the website and available for purchase are two new skateboard deck designs!
Each of these decks feature a unique laser-cut grip tape design on the opposite side. Check them out in the "fun stuff" section of midcenturytotems.com!
Laser-cut Grip Tape design
Work in Progress...
This is the next 670 panel-work in progress.
Caretaker Series Finished
The Caretaker series is complete. Take a look at the three final pieces! Two of these are still available on the website.
New DCW Totem
Titled "Daniel DCW" this latest piece is done on a Charles and Ray Eames designed, Herman miller DCW (Dining Chair Wood legs) walnut veneered back panel. Limiting the color to just black and white gives this one a unique look. Available on my website midcenturytotems.com .
Caretaker Totem
I recently came across four teakwood arms from a Danish Modern sofa set. Seemed like a good opportunity to create a series of Totems. These will lean stylistically more mid-century-modern than Northwest Coast and will depict the relationships we humans have with our pets. The first is titled "Caretaker Totem #1". This piece is available for sale on midcenturytotems.com.
Vintage Grumman Canoe Totem- Just because.
My wife and I have really enjoyed our hand-built, wooden Old Town Canoe. The problem is, it's far too nice to take rushing down some fast water with a multitude of boulders and rocks just waiting to wreck all that beautiful finish. So the solution was to get an old beater. A $200 vintage Grumman fit the bill. It spent the first part of its life as a rental in Ann Arbor Michigan. It's seen it's fair share of abuse these past several decades but it still had plenty of years of use just waiting to be had. But I just couldn't leave the thing alone. It needed some fitting embellishment if we were to enjoy it in style. Hence the totemification. It was a weekends worth of work but I think this old rental is ready to create some memories for this guy and his family.
Medicine Man!
I just finished a new totem. This time it's on a vintage 670 panel in rosewood.I call this one "Medicine Man". I've limited the color to just white and red for a unique look that's a bit more austere.
New Eames Panel Totem!
Just finished this new Eames Panel Totem titled "Tribute Totem". Featuring a three color design in a vintage Rosewood section of an authentic Herman Miller screen. You can purchase this now on midcenturytotems.com!
Mid-Century Totems!
Welcome to midcenturytotems.com! A place to explore a fantastic mash-up of Northwest Coast Art and Mid-Century Modern themes. Choose from a variety of high quality prints as well as one-of-a-kind three dimensional works of art using Eames furniture!