Earl Nesbitt combines his original designs with the highest quality materials and the finest craftsmanship to create one-of-a-kind pieces of collectible solid wood furniture. His style is defined by his use of colorful large slabs and rare highly figured woods combined with clean, elegant lines and an eye for detail. His pieces display solid wood so that its subtleties can be enjoyed: the way the grain moves through a sculpted piece, or the feel of a tabletop or a shaped edge.
He combines traditional joinery techniques with innovations like using bent laminates and interlocking pegs to create unique design elements that are often functional as well as decorative. He uses traditional tools such as chisels, handsaws and hand planes, as well as modern power tools both large and small. He enjoys the challenges and wide variety of skills needed to create fine furniture from sketching and finding the perfect board to sculpting and finishing as well as the connections made with both customers and vendors.
Throughout his career he has worked with home and business owners, interior designers, builders, architects, and galleries on many large and small projects. He inventories and has access to a wide variety of woods, both domestic and exotic, including locally rescued wood, reclaimed lumber, and large slabs.
Awards —
In 2013 — Best of Houzz For Customer Satisfaction award;
In 2012 — Award from the Santa Fe Arts Commission for his kinetic sculpture "The Portal";
In 2012 — Best of Show from members of the Weems International Artfest.
Upcoming Juried Exhibits —
Santa Fe Show Objects of Art, August 9-13
Weems International Artfest, Expo NM State Fairgrounds, Nov 15-17
One Of A Kind Show and Sale, Merchandise Mart Chicago, Dec 5-8
Past Juried Exhibits —
Scottsdale Art Festival, Arizona 2013
Architectural Digest Home Design Show, NYC 2013
Dwell on Design, LA 2012
American Craft Council Show, San Francisco 2012
One Of A Kind Show and Sale, Chicago 2012
Weems International Artfest, Albuquerque 2012
Santa Fe Show Objects of Art, New Mexico 2012
Santa Fe Fiestas, New Mexico 2012
Architectural Digest Home Design Show, NYC 2012
American Craft Council Show, Baltimore 2011
Western Design Conference, Jackson Hole 2011
One Of A Kind Show and Sale, Chicago 2011
Click on the links below to watch Earl building and installing his furniture —
— Custom solid cherry dining table.
— Custom kitchen.
— ABC Channel 7 Chicago segment about the One Of A Kind Show featuring Vessel #2 Some Background
In 1989 Earl began his career studying fine furniture design and construction with Jeffrey Greene at his studio in New Hope, Pennsylvania. That award-winning apprenticeship program, as well as the rich history of furniture-making in the New Hope area, including George Nakashima and other artists, contributes to his work as he showcases the beauty of natural wood in his furniture. After the apprenticeship, he worked for two high-end cabinetry/furniture shops in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and Bethesda, Maryland. His work from that time included a wide variety of items: from Park Avenue penthouse suite renovations; to pews at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.; to circa 1700s home restorations; as well as many private and commercial projects. During this time he was also designing and building his own fine furniture. In 1996 he opened his own studio in northern New Mexico. His work has been shown in galleries around the country and can be found in a wide variety of locations, from contemporary homes and businesses to western-style haciendas. — Click here to subscribe to our Special Offers and Updates Email that we send about 3 to 4 times a year
