My friend Dave L called me last wednesday night and asked me if I wanted to go see Buckminster Fuller….. in an hour.  His wife was sick and he had an extra ticket.  Not knowing what he was talking about but never afraid of something new  (or free) I showed up at Portland Center Stage.

The show was amazing.  Its basically one actor portraying Bucky just talking for two hours furiously switching from one subject to another all with spit flying everywhere.  After a while you forget about the acting and start to feel as if Bucky himself is up there, playing with triangles.

There was so much information that I dont remember anything specific at all really.  It was inspiring though- to learn about a man who has so many ideas and excitement that it was a miracle he never spontaneously combusted.

Ive been feeling that excitement lately myself with Project Chaboo.  Its really hard to fall asleep at night there is so much going on in my head.  It was great to talk to Dave too about the NEXT project.  Ya- im already thinking about the next one.  Im sure we will learn alot from Project Chaboo and that will help us for future community projects.  Fun!

Dave was talking about some CRAZY project he is doing where a special metal alloy is involved which explodes if you machine it or cut into it.  wow.  That sounds almost as much fun as playing with mercury!

Thanks for taking me Dave.

Jess Hirsch works at Pinball Publishing where I got my business cards printed.  Its a really cool little publishing company that really reminds me of my own company in terms of scale and vibe.  They specialize in artists and designer work and do a lot of fun community building projects on the side as well as own a stationary company and record label.  Totally hip.  I recommend them highly simply because they are good people who do good work. Lets support small local businesses!

Jess is a versatile painter/sculptor who also curates a really cool affordable art series called homeschool.  They are having an event saturday dec 20.  I like what these guys are doing- come check it out!

When I saw Jesss’sss watercolors on her website I knew her work would be perfect for Project Chaboo.  She did another similar one of cars that i really liked as well.

Snake!  The level of detail is incredible.  She transitions from color to color with subtle gradients.  I really like how the lines of the snake follow the lines of the Cocabolo insert.  She did a great job of infusing her signature style into my chaboo design with sensitivity.

detail photo by Anna Campbell

Im upset at her though because she wouldn’t tell me what she was drawing until the bitter end.  Cars? Animals?   I wondered and wondered…  She was killing me with the suspense.  Okapis next Jess?

The shoot was so much fun.  Thank you photographers Jamen, Anna, and Joe for your positive energy, teamwork, and creative brilliance.  You guys are amazing!

photos by Joe Mansfield

photo by Joe Mansfield

Ive met Kari a few times at past ShowPDXs but I didnt recognize her this year because she wears geeky glasses now.  Kari through her company Merkled is basically the metal version of me.  She designs and builds custom metal furniture, architectural features, and also does a lot of fun side projects.

She has dabbled successfully in product design even getting one of her lamps into the MOMA store.  I originally approached her to get some advice in that field because I was looking to market the original chaboo design.  I also wanted some advice on designing/building a coat rack since she has already designed one.  She is always happy to help me with any metal related questons.  Thanks for your advice Kari!

Her Chaboo was a true collaboration between her and I.  She had a design in mind where I build half a chaboo and one leg would be metal.  i built my half especially strong because it was missing the spline at the mitred edge.  Yes, that square insert is not just decorative- it is a joint that holds the thing together.

photo by Anna Campbell

The clean lines of the powder coated steel are “totally her” for the lack of fancy architecture words to throw at you guys.  The original aim of this project was to collaborate with artists and combine our special skills and styles to form a new fusion type product.   This chaboo completes that criteria perfectly.

One warning about Kari: she appears to be a little shy and mild mannered but DO NOT misspell her last name!  Its Merkl not Merkle or Merkled!  The confusion of course starts from her company name of Merkled.  Merkl, Merkle, Merkled….. Ai ai ai.  At least I didnt introduce her as Kari Merkled at a major design competition with 450 people attending…. ehem

photo by Joe Mansfield

Chaboo drop off party was this weekend.  Awesome to see everyone and their chaboos!  My dream team of photographers, Joe Mansfield, Anna Campbell, and Jamen Lee took over and did their thang.  I dont know what it does but you know when that umbrella thing comes out that its GO time!

Joel Wakeman was blessed with good weather for finishing his pieces early.  Take note procrastinating artists!

Thats Kelly Neidig on the floor posing for the cameras in my shop.

Jess Hirsch up in the storage racks.  She looks so comfortable she could build herself a little studio and live up there.

Thanks for finishing your pieces on time chaboo artists.  I hope you had fun at the party and photo shoot.  I know it was super exciting for me to see all the new chaboos.  Each piece is impressive but when you get all of them in a row and see the range its straight up amazing.

Pics from the “real” photographers coming soon….

Anna Campbell set up a full on photo studio in my shop to do the product shots.  Thanks Anna!

Joel Wakeman with his chaboo.  The one he is sitting on he made one with a pallet he found at my shop last week.  I should charge him for the material!  On top of that is the chaboo from a previous post which mysteriously went from green to black.  Go figure.

photo by Joe Mansfield

An intimate moment with his chaboo as Joel says goodbye.

Photo by Anna Campbell

Todd Griffith here with his chaboo.  He made sure his wardrobe matched the graffiti on my shop.  Very nice.

Photo by Joe Mansfield

Going surfing bruddah.

Photo by Anna Campbell

Paul Sykes explaining the patterns on his chaboo.  Something to do with a pattern he saw during his travels in Syria.  I only heard rumors….

Photo by Joe Mansfield

He sees something!

Photo by Anna Campbell