Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alec Fehl. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alec, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I learned my craft primarily through trial and error. Lots and lots of error. I began way before YouTube was a thing, so there’s weren’t any viable Internet tutorials. I took two semesters of cabinetry classes at the local community college to learn how to use power tool safely. Beyond that, I learned my craft the old way. Try, fail, try, improve, rinse, repeat.
Alec, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I work with wood and resin and create unique serving boards and other functional art for the household/kitchen – like napkin holders and coasters. I also make benches and small tables. My pieces feature colorful resin and are polished to a glass-like feel and shine. My serving boards are unique in that, for some, I use a CNC machine (a computer-driven router) to carve out intricate designs or shapes.
I began woodworking in the early 1990s, teaching myself to whittle figurines. No reason. I just thought it would be cool. At that time, I was engrossed in folding complex origami and thought it would be cool to duplicate some of my origami models from wood. Years later, I saw a book about bandsaw boxes and was inspired to make them. This was years before YouTube, so the Internet wasn’t much of a learning resource. I took a few carpentry classes at A-B Tech Community College to learn to safely use power tools, and ended up learning a lot about cabinet construction. I bought a bandsaw and started making bandsaw boxes. Then I bought a table saw and started building furniture. Then I was officially hooked. A few saws and years later, I was happy to just plod along with my hobby in my garage.
My wife, Jacqui Fehl, is an artist in the River Arts District of Asheville, NC, and I began making frames for her work. Some traditional float frames and some unique quirky frames made from our old deck furniture. We collaborated on a few pieces where I was responsible for the engineering – like large wall-hanging interactive sliding puzzles and tic-tac-toe boards – all of which are playable while hanging. These collaborations led to me exploring my artistic side, as I was historically more of a functionality/engineering guy.
She is always bringing me ideas, like, “Make us a coffee table like this” or “Can you make a dining room table like that?” Well, one day she showed me a wood and resin charcuterie board and said she thought I might be able to make us one. I’ve always been obsessed with learning. And now YouTube was in full force. I spent the next year teaching myself, through YouTube and trial and error, how to work with epoxy resin.
I pride myself on my original designs/concepts. For example, I’m excited about a new series of serving boars I call ‘Binge Boards’. Rather than embedded leaves, flowers, or sea creatures in the resin, I embed ‘binge-worthy treats’ like cookies and chips.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I love it when my gallery texts me a photo of a smiling customer holding my newly purchased board. Not because I just made a sale, but because what I created brought someone joy. Like many creators, I didn’t start doing this for the money. I did it, and continue to do, because I love to create. And love to see what I’ve created have a profound positive effect on others.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
To better support creatives, society (and there’s a lot of moving pieces in ‘society’!) can recognize the value of creativity. This includes recognizing and valuing art and music education within public schools. Providing affordable rent for galleries and studios. Recognizing, valuing, and respecting the process. (Too many times artists have heard, “$250 for that? But it’s only paper/wood/paint/…” ) Oh – and folks can buy original art! While it’s nice to receive verbal praise, that doesn’t pay for supplies or cover the rent.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://woodworkingaf.com
- Other: https://livelifeartfully.com
Image Credits
N/A