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Todd Johnson: Difference between revisions
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'''Todd's [http://www.todd-m-johnson.com/ Website]''' | '''Todd's [http://www.todd-m-johnson.com/ Website]''' | ||
[[Image:Todd Johnson.jpg|thumb|200px|left]] | [[Image:Todd Johnson.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Photo: Steve Morrisette]] | ||
In the article [[Go West]], Erwin Van Hove writes, "Attracted and inspired by the Danish master carvers, Todd Johnson went through a phase where his primary objective was to master the style of his heroes, and to pay them homage. Recently however, he has shown himself to be more and more relieved from the “burden” of the Danish tradition creating a style of his own. He has become a master in his own right producing genuine high grades with excellent engineering and finish. His most stunning pieces are remarkably elegant pipes crafted in a superb smooth finish with beautiful decorative accents or bamboo shanks. From now on, this young American is the peer of the Danes. Consequently his creations sell for prices that equal those of Tom Eltang or Bang." | In the article [[Go West]], Erwin Van Hove writes, "Attracted and inspired by the Danish master carvers, Todd Johnson went through a phase where his primary objective was to master the style of his heroes, and to pay them homage. Recently however, he has shown himself to be more and more relieved from the “burden” of the Danish tradition creating a style of his own. He has become a master in his own right producing genuine high grades with excellent engineering and finish. His most stunning pieces are remarkably elegant pipes crafted in a superb smooth finish with beautiful decorative accents or bamboo shanks. From now on, this young American is the peer of the Danes. Consequently his creations sell for prices that equal those of Tom Eltang or Bang." | ||
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[[Image:toddjohnson3.jpg|thumb|250px|The Blasted Volcano]] | [[Image:toddjohnson3.jpg|thumb|250px|The Blasted Volcano]] | ||
[[Image:toddjohnson1.jpg|thumb|250px|Ostrich 4]] | [[Image:toddjohnson1.jpg|thumb|250px|Ostrich 4]] | ||
The man most responsible for my developing these skills is [[Tom Eltang]]. In the Winter of 2001, Tom generously invited me to his workshop in Taarbek, just outside of Copenhagen. There he taught me many of the techniques he had learned from his mentor, the widow of Poul Rasmussen, Ann Julie. Tom learned pipe making in one of the three Danish schules, and I am thankful that, in some small way, I am continuing to carry that tradition forward. Among the most valuable things I learned from Tom was his shaping and drilling technique. While many pipe makers cut their shapes out in two dimensions and turn them down on a lathe, Tom showed me how to shape a pipe first, and then drill it freehand on the lathe. In this way, it’s possible to find the best shape with the best orientation of grain along any axis in the block. With further tutorials from Lars Ivarsson, I was able to arrive at a precise and efficient drilling procedure, combining elements of the techniques taught by [[ | The man most responsible for my developing these skills is [[Tom Eltang]]. In the Winter of 2001, Tom generously invited me to his workshop in Taarbek, just outside of Copenhagen. There he taught me many of the techniques he had learned from his mentor, the widow of Poul Rasmussen, Ann Julie. Tom learned pipe making in one of the three Danish schules, and I am thankful that, in some small way, I am continuing to carry that tradition forward. Among the most valuable things I learned from Tom was his shaping and drilling technique. While many pipe makers cut their shapes out in two dimensions and turn them down on a lathe, Tom showed me how to shape a pipe first, and then drill it freehand on the lathe. In this way, it’s possible to find the best shape with the best orientation of grain along any axis in the block. With further tutorials from [[Lars Ivarsson]], I was able to arrive at a precise and efficient drilling procedure, combining elements of the techniques taught by [[Poul Rasmussen]] and [[Sixten Ivarsson]]. Coupled with a fabulous briar source, this allows for a greater number of clean, beautifully grained smooth pieces. This diverse pedigree has allowed me to work comfortably in several different styles from Danish-Modern to Kitachi. | ||
Formal studies in aesthetics, both as an undergraduate at Samford University, and as a masters student at Yale, have further inspired my work. Conscious influences range from George Nakashima to Sam Maloof, but I often find myself contemplating the likes of | Formal studies in aesthetics, both as an undergraduate at Samford University, and as a masters student at Yale, have further inspired my work. Conscious influences range from George Nakashima to Sam Maloof, but I often find myself contemplating the likes of Foucault, Umberto Eco, or Coleridge as I work. Aesthetics is a conversation between an object and its body of observers. Sometimes I endeavor to make my work shout, at other times whisper, or at other times inquire and explore. This conversation is important to me and, as every artist, I hope that my body of work will speak, and ultimately achieve something, move the conversation forward. As a good post-modernist, however, I believe that my intentions are far less important than the resulting interpretation of my work. Ultimately, what my work says is not up to me. It’s up to you. So I will sit back, smoke my pipe, and listen to the conversation. | ||
*You may also like to listen to Brian Levine's interview with Todd and Pete ([[Prevost Pipes]]) on the [http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/radio-talk-show/the-pipes-magazine-radio-show-episode-85/#more-7930 PipesMagazine.com Radio Show] | |||
'''Contact information''': | '''Contact information''': | ||
'''Todd's [http://www.todd-m-johnson.com/ Website]''' | '''Todd's [http://www.todd-m-johnson.com/ Website]''' | ||
[[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | [[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | ||
[[Category: United States]] | [[Category: United States]] | ||