It’s another busy week and I thought about pausing the newsletter, but instead I’ll share some recent images with only a brief introduction.
Meet Rob Mock. I discovered him on an artist’s tour, captivated by one of his signature pieces, “Trixie”. He’s a bit of a throwback in several ways. He lives out in the country, at the end of a long, dirt road in Northern Virginia with his wife of many years. He loves baseball. Has six rescue dogs. And he whittles.
Without further ado, here is the piece that got my attention initially:
Rob has been carving for years. He was whittling while he ran the family business, a music store. As owner, the store led him to repairing instruments. He then tuned his love for woodworking towards musical endeavors, and now he’s teaching carving classes and selling plenty of his work, both small and large pieces, to locals and customers all over. He frequently takes on commissioned work now that his reputation has spread internationally.
And for lots of the work, this is how he does it:
Rob’s shop is temperature and humidity-controlled, necessary to protect stringed instruments, components, and raw materials.
The inventory might be growing faster than it’s being used, but each piece is saved for just the right project, as these pieces are.
Regarding finished pieces, sometimes the work is very small, whether it’s an embellishment or a stand-alone piece.
And not all Rob’s processes involve carving, cutting or finishing:
I mentioned commission work. Frequently Rob is commissioned to make small guitar components or embellishments, but not always.
Not pictured: Huge varieties of his work. If you’d like something commissioned Rob is happy to consider it, just check out his web site and drop him a line. And if you have what sounds like a crazy idea, don’t be shy in asking if it’s possible. He loves unusual work. Just ask “Trixie.”
Until next time,
Limited Edition Prints for Sale
Another channel of my photography. Oof. But as promised, I’ve got this new set of Limited Edition prints available for purchase. Any unsold African wildlife images from last fall, as promised, have been retired from circulation.
Each edition consists of ten Numbered Prints and two Artists Prints, 16x24” silver halide, with certificate of authentication. As before, these are limited both by number and duration of the offer. If you’d like one or more for that special person, don’t hesitate. You wouldn't want to become he who is lost!
Is there something here you like or dislike? Questions? Have anything else to say? Let us all know by clicking on the Comments button below, and express yourself. Don’t be shy, now.
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Absolutely amazing. Thanks
Great discovery! A true craftsman. Thank you b