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There is an emotional wonder that is inherent in everything Sam touched. Sam approached each project with an exacting eye for design and detail which took an inanimate piece of wood and imbued it with soul. By the way he practiced his craft; he elevated common objects to objects of desire.
My journey in producing this book really began in the late 1970’s. I photographed the home of William Shernoff. In it were two items that grabbed my attention: a Maloof rocker and cradle. The fluid lines and craftsmanship were self-evident and memorable. Starting in the mid 1980’s Sam called me to photograph some of his furniture and then in 2004, I photographed Sam’s art collection. It was during this time that the concept for this book this came together.
Along the way, my Alta Loma neighbor, Sam, and I became friends. We shared a love and respect for art and artists, and we were both avid collectors. We had a connection to the natural world and maintained gardens that are both personal and inspirational. We both had successfully combined talent, skill and passion to make a living doing the work we loved.
‘Maloof at 90: An American Woodworker’ was an intense labor of love of ultimate satisfaction. Through the pursuit of creating a clear and compelling picture that shows the essence of Sam Maloof, I had a rare opportunity to explore the relationship between art, creativity and commerce. Now the book has come to life and now life becomes art. |
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