What the hell is this? Many unfamiliar with the tradition often and justifiably ask. I usually refer to them as mixed-material constructions or personal sculptures.
I think it was in 1989 that The M Group began distributing cash bonuses, but it seemed a little crude to just pass out bills. I started shaping small, simple blocks of wood to serve as paperweights to hold the bills and when combined with one’s business card, mark a person’s seat at the holiday lunch table. As the bonus went from cash to a check, to direct deposit, I continued to make the place markers each year, and also to include a single $100 bill. Who wouldn’t appreciate a crisp Ben Franklin in mid-December?
The tradition continued, and the place holders became more complex. Additionally, the office was growing so each year I was making more of them. Then, I began to include several non-MGroupers. Increased complexity and quantity made the constructions increasingly more challenging to produce.
The Process
They’re mostly created from scrap materials in my shop, although once in a while I’ll hunt through those small metal drawers at the hardware store to find something unique to incorporate. The early versions were from a single species of wood, drilled and rounded. Best that I can recall, materials have included Pine, Maple, Bloodwood, Padauck, Purpleheart, Birch, Fir, Wenge, Walnut, red, white and black plexi, aluminum, small photos, bronze, brass, copper, stainless steel and rubber. The materials are usually left unfinished.
I used to do a lot of sketching to come up with my model, but less so in recent years. I think 2018 was the first year that I didn’t make any sketches at all. Instead, I cut, glued, modified, and arranged until arriving at what you’re seeing.
Typically, once I settle on a design, I develop what’s basically a fabrication and assembly-line process. A miniature widget factory.
