Artist and craftsman Mark Whitley is
a native of Bowling Green, KY and now lives and works in Smith's
Grove, Kentucky. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Peace Studies/Religious
Studies at Chapman University in Orange, CA, but has been working
with wood throughout his life. Whitley's work has been exhibited
widely in Kentucky, including the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft
and the craft fair in Berea sponsored by the Kentucky Guild of Artists
and Craftsmen. Whitley was selected as a member of both the Kentucky
Guild of Artists and Craftsmen and the Kentucky Craft Marketing
Program. In 2007, he was chosen for the Kentucky Craft Marketing
Program's Platinum 10 Project. Artist's Statement I approach furniture as functional pieces of art. As a studio craftsman, my primary focus is directed on the holistic aesthetics of the piece: the way each piece of wood is joined in harmony with the others, the relationship of the top with the back, the sides with the shelves, and the doors with the whole of the piece. Curves and different species of wood are used in a sparingly and thoughtfully intentional manner so as to enhance the feel of a piece of furniture and keep with the integrity of the design. I am not concerned with reinventing the
basic ways in which cabinet doors must open, or table legs should
be sturdy. I have been in the shop, with the exception of college
years, since I was four years old, and my work reflects a skill
set in keeping with the crafting of traditional furniture. In 1999,
I began building custom furniture for public sale and commissions.
In the beginning, my pieces were very linear and I had yet to discover
a method of furniture building that fed my soul. Seeking knowledge
and inspiration, I began to research craftsmen such as Gary Knox
Bennett, James Krenov, and Sam Maloof. Learning from their stories,
I slowly realized that furniture building for me was not about fast
production or pleasing the masses, but about creating pieces that
live and breathe in my shop. Many times, the day a piece is delivered
to its new home is melancholic, as I hope my clients will care for,
protect, and enjoy their new furniture as much as I do. I am as
much a craftsman as a person. It is a great gift to spend my life
doing what I absolutely love, and enrich the lives of others through
the creation of original and beautifully designed and crafted furniture. Mark Whitley, 2007 |
