— from a Single Root, all is born —
(de Una Raíz, todo nace)
Not for an effortless life…
for a life worth the effort.
learn more: my philosophy
fresh from the workshop
More than a basket. Hand crafted from steam-bent and laminated hardwoods, with multicultural influence in every stitch, this is a sculpture that stands for our universal collective needs as people living on this earth.
"Jíbaro" is a word that is quintessential to the Puerto Rican identity. We now use it to describe someone who lives in the countryside or cultivates the land, but it comes from a Taíno word that translates to "lover of the forest." I love that because it means this term is both distinctly of our land of Borikén, as well as universally human in meaning.
We are currently experiencing and witnessing a lot of pain in our world, and I find myself searching for reminders of what makes us human.
This is what I see in a basket—a tool so simple and universal to our collective needs as people living on this earth. To this end, I drew from various cultures for inspiration. My West African ancestors guided the overall shape with their bold and beautiful baskets, and lent me the triangular detail that serves as a starting point for much of the piece with their sense of geometric form. Incredible bamboo weavers in Japan inspired the feeling of water in the curved ash (a theme that flows through much of my work already), and pushed me to "think outside the basket." My Taíno ancestors' fantastic sense of motion, and lines that constantly and fluidly morph depending on the viewer's vantage point, fueled the ever-changing composition of those watery curves. And the Jíbaro's humble but emblematic straw hat, the pava, informed the spiraling ends that float out like blades of grass.
And so, yes, this is a basket. But it is also a celebration of humanity, a call to learn from and listen to one another both near and across the globe, and a reminder that every one of us is capable of adding beauty and purpose in this world, regardless of the violence around us.
The Güembé chair was named after a Bomba rhythm originating from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Güembé is a joyful sound, full of power, poise, and playfulness, and is traditionally associated with courtship, romance and flirtatious gestures. I have always admired that my ancestors were able to express these joyful sounds despite the horrific conditions of colonialism and slavery. While I would never compare my life to their pain, the hope in these chairs is what led me through a difficult time in my life full of loss and challenges, and I can't help but feel a similar energy and pride in creating light and beauty out of darkness. In each hand-carved gouge and curve I have poured love, and hope, and honor for those who came before us, and the full intention that you will experience these feelings when you enter the room, or use it to pen a letter or talk to a friend, or simply close your eyes and run your fingers along the textured seat edge.
As with all of my woodworks, these chairs have been made almost entirely with hand tools—from stock preparation, to joinery, to shaping and carving. While certain operations such as the cutting of strips for bent lamination require the aid of power tools, centering my work around hand power sets the energy imbued in every piece. I answered my calling to woodworking because I desired a life of serenity, simplicity, and intentional living, and I want anyone who interacts with my work to feel the same things. The whistling action of a sharp blade along the grain is more respectful of the tree, more kind to our planet, and brings me a sensation of peace and introspection that I believe carries on in the piece, to you. Yes, it takes more time and physical strain, but the value it adds is priceless.
These special edition Güembé chairs are made from Hard Maple, Bird's Eye Hard Maple, and Sipo (also known as Utile or Sipo Mahogany). All joints are hand-cut, integral mortise and tenon joints for ultimate strength and longevity. The seats are attached with special hardware to accommodate the movement of wood throughout the year and prevent splitting. They are finished in dewaxed Shellac,** then hand rubbed with steel wool for a more subtle, satin sheen.
*Bent lamination is a process whereby wood is cut into thin strips, then glued together and bent to fit a designed form. This allows us to have thin, lightweight curves while using the structure of wood grain to our advantage.
**Shellac is a natural film finish derived from the resin of the lac bug in India. It provides good protection, superior depth of clarity, is non-toxic and free of plastic, and is easier to repair down the line than most finishes. Please be aware that Shellac does dissolve with alcohol, and contact with alcohol or substances containing alcohol should be avoided.
Part of the Wild Cottonwood Collection, this large bowl takes its shape from traditional dough bowls, with some twists inspired by the material. However, I think it may be better suited for dry goods such as fruits, or for decoration. Carved by hand from a locally sourced Cottonwood tree, organically shaped feet add a sense of presence and fun to the design. Gouged texture flows out in streams up the sides. The inside was scorched with a flame torch until fully blackened, adding both aesthetic and protection. Finished in a food safe blend of true tung oil and thinned varnish for a timeless, subdued sheen quality. Please note that abrasive or multiple washings may eventually start to wear out the darkened wood.
make it custom
Everyone is unique, and so there is no true one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re dreaming of a sword that fits your body in practice, a chair that will help with your mobility needs, a bespoke table that inspires life in your home, or even a mortar and pestle that will properly honor your grandmother’s recipe, it is my honor to help you tell your story.
Take a look at my portfolio to get a taste of my style, and if it feels right, reach out about your custom build. We’ll get the conversation going to see if it’s a good fit—after all, a mortise-and-tenon is nothing without a good fit! Then, let’s make your dream a reality.
Not for an effortless life.
For a life worth the effort.
This is my central philosophy as a maker. The reason I make these objects, and put in the extra effort by working almost entirely with hand tools. This is not just a way of working. It’s promoting a healthier, more in tune and mobile way of life. My wish is to pull people back to real. To bring them back to their bodies while making room in their minds to slow down, disconnect from the noise and the artificial intelligence and the illusion of perfection. Remind them of the pleasure of touching something made by human hands, and of experiencing the difference in a craft that takes years to master. When they return to the room where my work lives, I hope it reminds them to breathe. To see the world around them with a little more clarity, and to understand themselves better. To feel gratitude in their bodies, and express this gratitude by using their bodies. Because when we are well and aligned in body and mind, we make better decisions, treat each other better, and can hope for a better world.