The table is made entirely of recycled woods. Its top is made from a glulam fragment which has been varnished, and the varnish has been buffed with soft abrasives to achieve a very matte finish. The legs are made from standing dead aspen. The surface of the aspen is polished by wind and snow at an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level; the resulting surface is what you see here, a natural bone color, streaked with pale oranges, yellows and grays. This table has unvarnished legs, but I usually varnish them and buff them with soft abrasives to create a matte finish. The legs are fitted into the top with 2" tenons. The cross braces are aspen fitted with 1" tenons. This table is in my cabin. I can make tables of most any dimension with this design. 19.5" x 12" x 22"
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
I am an artist and designer. I create paintings, sculpture, and architectural components. As a designer for a variety of clients, I have worked in numerous materials over the years, from paper, canvas and panel to wood, iron, steel, aluminum, glass and bronze. I am very comfortable with the design process and communicating with my clients so that they achieve what they want.
My oil paintings have covered a variety of subjects over the years from landscape to abstractions. In recent years I have been exploring architecture in my paintings, ranging from structural steel during construction to deco movie theaters in small towns.
My sculpture has been rooted in painted wood abstractions that often include metal found objects, and glyph of my own design.
I have created architectural components both for clients and for myself. My client work has included glyphs in aluminum, bronze, slate, glass, stucco and wood. Work on my own cabin has included trim in natural aspen, window frames with glyphs, and cabinetry in twig and natural aspen.
My training includes not only fine art and its history but also the design traditions of the late nineteenth-century craft movements of Europe and America; the Vienna Werkestette; the early-20th-century modernist movements of Russia, Germany and Holland; and the vernacular architecture in eastern Europe, Russia, and Scandinavia. I also hike a lot in the western U.S., which has shown me first-hand the vernacular architecture of the gold camps and the desert Native Americans. My artistic goal is to synthesize these traditions of formal and vernacular design into a style that expresses the modern west.
A guide to the best items from the best makers and the stories behind them.
Robert Esteva
For Sculpture | StrokeWorking with John was a very positive experience. He quickly replied to any question I asked. I asked him if it would be possible to expedite the shipping date, he quickly agreed. His "artwork" has a mesmerizing quality to it, when I look at it, it draws me towards the various components within the piece. Even though it is an "abstract" piece of work, all the different shapes and colors blend into one in a beautiful manner.
Dirksen
For PalaceMy sister in gave me an interesting image of an old movie theater we knew. The image had been constructed with facets. I asked John if he could make a painting similar to this. He said yes but he wanted to give the idea a more exciting structure using a variety of other images. Moving toward this commission we reviewed digital sketches that showed me what the painting would look like. I gave him the go ahead, and he went to work. I even got to see the painting in his studio a couple of times before it was complete. It was a pleasure to be included. He also posted the progressive images on the web as he got closer to completion. Palace now hangs in my dining room and invokes fond memories for me of going to movies with my sister.
Commissioner
For Castle ValleyI am writing to commend the work of John Boak of Boak Art. Recently my wife and I commissioned John to paint an oil painting of a scene outside Aspen, Colorado which was given as a wedding gift. The painting he created was absolutely beautiful and the bride and groom were thrilled with the gift. John’s attention to detail was amazing and the beauty and thoughtfulness he brought to the entire process were exceptional. He truly made every aspect of this process a joy. So as you can see, we recommend John Boak without hesitation. He is a great artist and a great person and his work is a genuine reflection of those values. His work and service is beautiful in every way. Sincerely, DONALD
Commissioner
For FarviewI wanted a round landscape painting and I wanted certain colors: blue, rose reds, yellows and greens. John told me that such a round painting is called a "tondo." He proposed a scene from the mountains of Southwestern Colorado, and I could not be more pleased with the result and, indeed, the whole process of working with John. In fact I was so pleased that I commissioned another painting for my husband, who loves trains; it is also a landscape, from the same part of Colorado, showing an old narrow-gauge line as it crosses the Ophir valley.
Commissioner
For LavoirI was on the art advisory team for Jackson National on their new facility in Nashville, TN. Our client requested art that related to that geographical area and we selected John Boak to create a site-specific piece. Working with John is a rewarding experience from start to finish: While always acting with the utmost professionalism, he listened carefully, understood what we wanted and created the perfect work of art for the project.He ingeniously combined the image of a Tennessee landmark with clever allusions to art history and produced a painting that is both visually appealing and intriguing. I highly recommend this artist for custom art. -Maeve