Robert Ortiz Studios Blog

I’m constantly reminded about how much I don’t know in this business.  About 12 years ago I took up learning about computers, then came web sites and then blogs.  I have one of each.  I thought the idea of a blog would be a good thing but after several years, I decided that perhaps it was not the best use of my time.  It seemed to me that as best as I could determine, it was not being read.  Then, a few weeks ago,  I got a call from someone asking me to design and build a dining table out of koa.  As we spoke, I checked to see if the person was on my e-mail list.  He was not.  As the conversation continued I started to get the impression that he knew a good deal more about my work than he could from just visiting my web site.  Finally I asked him where he had gathered so much information about my furniture making.  To my dismay, he answered that he was a reader of my blog.  Needless to say I was horrified.  I had come to the conclusion that no one read it.  Who knew?  So I will get back to posting tips, thoughts and observations about furniture and occasionally, life.  The last posting, published 8 months ago, was of my experimenting with a new finish.  I will update that article with some new information on a finish that I am currently very happy using.

So…in the next few days, I will post my latest findings not only on the varnish/oil finishes but also some lessons learned in the past 10 months since I have posted my last entry.  It has been a long year…

Here are a few new pieces made during the year…some new designs and more to come.

Curly Bubinga Dining Table for 6

Walnut and African Mahogany Hall Table

As I was preparing to upload a new posting, I discovered that somehow I had neglected to publish an entry back in May…here it is, better late than never.

As I write this  blog entry (May 2010) I’m wearing a tee shirt that has a drawing of a very large fish, with its mouth open. It is getting ready to make a meal out of a medium size fish which is getting ready to eat a small fish. The caption next to the largest fish says, “The world is just.” Beside the medium size fish it says, “There is some justice in the world.” And finally the one next to the smallest fish says, “There is no justice in the world.” If you are an exhibitor at a furniture and craft show, as I was this weekend at the Baltimore Fine Furnishings and Fine Craft Show at the Hippodrome Theatre this past Saturday and Sunday, you can easily come to identify with one of the fish on my tee shirt. More on which fish I feel like later…
The show, in its second year, featured exquisite hand made furniture and home accessories from approximately 30 Maryland, New England, Ohio, Pennsylvania and east coast artists. The setting meandered through the Merrick, France Arts Center at the Hippodrome Theatre. One of a kind furniture pieces, traditional reproductions and whimsically painted pieces showcased the diversity of contemporary studio furniture making created in America today.
I thought I would try something different this year so rather than showing my own furniture (www.ortizstudios.com ; facebook: Robert Ortiz Studios) I thought I’d invite several of my artist friends to exhibit their work with mine in an attempt to create a more homelike setting. We were Rob Glebe, metal; Alice Pickett-Lewis fiber and Manick Burton, ceramics. Two of the awards presented at the show went to Rob – First Place Home Accessories and Alice for Best Body of Work. Needless to say, I am proud to have invited them to the show and thankful that Karla Little, the show’s director, was willing to let me bring them along.
Attendance at the show was disappointing…the show is in its second year and that may be a factor. It’s not uncommon for shows like this to have growing pains. The location may be an issue but that’s for others to decide.
My present studio is in Historic Chestertown, but I spent my first 10 years making furniture in Baltimore. I sent invitations to the show to about 40 area clients and friends and many of them came to visit, say hello and see the show. Every one of them was surprised by the low turn out and hoped that the show would return next year. Most importantly, for me, I discovered Maggie Moos award winning ice cream and got to eat at Miss Shirley’s Restaurant. After all, there’s more to life than business.
So…which fish am I? Throughout the course of the weekend I kept thinking of the people who live and have businesses along the Gulf Coast. I couldn’t help but think that my lack of sales at this show were nothing in comparison to what they are facing. So I choose to have the perspective of the big fish…two of my friends were honored for their work, I was surrounded by beautiful works of art, got to spend time with old friends, made some new ones and ate award winning food and ice cream. This weekend the world was just…and I am a blessed and lucky man.

Here’s a photo of our joint booth at the Show

It seems to me that the Achilles Heel of most furniture is the horizontal surface.  This is especially true for dining and coffee tables.   Over the years I have tried many different finishes: oils, lacquers, poly-urethanes, high tech and low tech.  I have wiped, brushed, sprayed, padded, pleaded and prayed.  All have their advantages and disadvantages.  I’d have to say that a good deal of the durability depended on the user and how he or she intended to use the table.  Everyone uses horizontal surfaces differently.  Some treat them reverently and carefully.  Others use and abuse them.  And they show EVERTHING.  This is because horizontal surfaces reflect light much more than vertical surfaces.  As a result every flaw, scratch and every bit of surface dirt becomes visible.  Additionally some finishes can be compromised by water and alcohol.

I like a finish that does not feel or look like plastic.  Given the wood that I use to make my furniture, I want the beauty to be seen.  The problem is striking a balance between protecting the wood and protecting the finish.

A few years ago I discovered “Tried and True” a linseed oil varnish and found it to be a finish that looked beautiful, gave a good amount of protection,  and though it required a good deal of time and rubbing to apply,  it was fairly easy to achieve good results.  Its main drawback is that because it contains no toxic driers etc., it dries very slowly.  One coat can take 2 weeks or more to dry and for a table top you might want to apply 6 coats…you do the math.   The photo below is of a Koa Dining Table that has such a finish.  I finished making it in October.  It’s last coat was applied three weeks ago and it is leaving my shop next week, February 7th.  Under normal circumstances this is not a practical finish.  Luckily, I had the space, the client was willing to pay in advance and was not in a rush because the house would not be finished until February.  The table measures 98 by 48 wide at the widest end.  The base is mahogany with a light ebony stain.

Koa Slab Top Dining Table

I am now trying a variation on the above finish.  I have mixed Tried and True Linseed Oil Varnish with Man-O-War Spar Varnish in a 1 to 1 proportion and added a “dash” of mineral spirits to slightly thin it so that I can brush it on like an oil finish.   My hope is that by adding the spar varnish this will help the mix dry overnight or at least within 24 hours.  Additonally, I hope that it will be easier to apply and provide better moisture resistance.

I am now using this mixture on the base of a walnut slab top coffee table that I am making. If I like the results, I will use it on the top.   I have prepared the surface sanding to 22o grit.  On half the surface I am applying the spar varnish/Tried and True mix with a rag and wiping off.  On the other half I am filling the pores with shellac – 3 coats – and then sanding the top again from 120 to 220 so that the shellac stays only in the pores. Beginning tomorrow, I will apply the varnish oil mix and we’ll see what the results are.  I am curious whether there will be a difference in durability and “look” between the shellac pore filled side and the non shellac, non pore filled side.   I will take photos as I go along and report what I find.