Happy New Year!

This chair represents the final refinements to my Weekender Chair design for 2009. By developing time saving techniques I was able to lower your cost to $375 without sacrificing quality. It is still the finest Adirondack design on the market today, promising ten times the longevity of her nearest competitor (from that big Freeport retailer). I will be using this chair as a platform for launching new adventures in chair-making for 2010. Please stay tuned... Here's wishing you and yours a fabulous, healthy and prosperous New Year!

That Summer Feeling!

I have started building chairs for the Summer of 2010!

It's great because while the thermometer is reading just 8 degrees of Fahrenheit, I am enjoying lawn parties in my mind. That's the great gift of the Adirondack chair. Just sit in one of mine and you'll be transported to a warm sunny place. If only in your dreams. Hey look at it this way: only four months to go before we open up our camp. The time to place your chair orders is now.

It's easy, just give me a call (207) 351-6966. I'll be out in the shop catching some rays.

kindred_spirits

I am happy to say these two fine Weekender chairs found good homes just before the snow started to fly. Thank you Linda and Adrienne! I am looking forward to building more this winter. I can't wait to pick out the colors. The white oak has been purchased and is now seasoning in my barn. Once the holidays are behind us I expect to be right out straight. Let the machinery sing and the wood chips fly. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

o_tannenbaum

Hey! I completed my first semester at art school with flying colors (pun intended). The image to the right is a
"filtered" and "blended" image of the christmas tree on our front porch. Just one of the many techniques I learned this past fall in digital imaging. I also wrote a website and learned to draw from the right side of my brain.

With only four days left before Christmas, I'd like to take a moment to say thanks to all of my fantastic customers. You make doing what I do possible and I appreciate your patronage. I hope to have a whole new crop of "fresh art" for your enjoyment in 2010. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year!

killing_frost

taking the trash out thursday am i noticed these leaves in our driveway. i went and grabbed my camera.

leaving_october

halfway into november, i realize i haven't really finished with october.

light_wave

Sometimes it's just fun to paint with light.

Sweet Cherry Chair

Come see this sweet cherry Weekender chair at the 1st Annual Fresh Art Show and Sale happening November 20-22, 2009 at the Olde White Church, 15 Salmon Falls Road, Bar Mills, ME. I along with fellow artists Jane Ryan, Nina Fuller and Liz Patterson invite you to attend the very tasty opening reception on Friday afternoon from 3 to 7pm. I am hoping to coax my wife into making several dozen of her very outstanding (and low fat. not.) peanut butter cookies for this momentous occasion. There will also be plenty of fresh art to view and to purchase. With something for every budget, this festive event will be a great place to start your holiday shopping. Hope to see you there!

Things that go bump in the night.

These are some real scary chairs. I wouldn't want to run into them on a dark October night. They've been known to feed on animals and small children. They haunt the back porches of summer's past. They miss the great conversations and comfort of a warm August night. They bemoan the fact that winter is just around the corner. They wonder if their human keepers will remember to bring them in for the season or leave them stranded and forgotten on a deserted dock somewhere as the first snowflakes begin to fall. Oh the horror!

Trick or Treat?

My Weekender chairs become a spooky treat for the eyes when passed through the creepy "neon glow" filter of photoshop. Looks like the ghosts of Summer '09 have come back to sit a bit. Scary stuff.

art_i_choke

now learning photoshop cs4. this software is used mostly for making stupid ads. in fact most print and digital media ads you see today have been photoshopped. i am discovering a far better use for this powerful software tool: making art. I am just learning to crawl. so bear with me.
"art-i-choke" is my first digital sketch. the great thing about "painting" with cs4 is you can splash color all over the "canvas" and there's no messy cleanup afterwards. sweet.

Fresh Art Show At The Old White Church

November 20, 21 and 22 I will be participating in the first annual Art and Furniture Show and Sale at the Old White Church at 15 Salmon Falls Road, Bar Mills Maine. You can go to the sacorivergrange.org website for more info. Come to the opening reception on Friday afternoon and get a tour of my workshop/studio across the street. I will have furniture from all phases of my career rustic through contemporary and of course plenty of my "fresh art" for sale. Spread the word! See you there!

Going Green

"Going Green 's a convenient catch phrase. Ethanol is made of smoke and mirrors. Who decides to feed the tanks and not the mouths. When the wheels don't move...." -- Son Volt from their outstanding new album "American Central Dust". I am now painting with pixels and my art resides in cyberspace as just so many zeros and ones. When I make something of note I will have big giclee prints made. In the meantime feel free to browse.

New Media

This is a drawing I did using Adobe. It's much cooler blown up to it's true size. Amazing tool. I call this "The United States Of Chaos". Notice California is barely hanging on. The East is a muddy mess. The only places with any promise are the Rockies and the Great Southwest. New England doesn't exist. Global climate change has sunk Florida.

Summer's End

Summer's End is upon us. I want to thank all my clients for another successful year in the chair business. I have listened to all your ideas and plan to incorporate your suggestions into my designs this winter. Have a great fall and we'll talk to you again real soon!

Summer's End Barn Sale Directions

Your destination is "18 Salmon Falls Road Buxton ME" Yellow House with attached barn across the street from the Old White Church. Google Map it! Please note there is a Salmon Falls Road in Hollis, the next town over. That road has a golf course on it. If you see a golf course you are on the wrong side of the Saco River. We are across the river from the golf course. Tiger Woods could hit our barn from the first tee. But you will want to use the bridge. Park in the church parking lot. Happy trails!

Summer's End Barn Sale Details #5

Come on down and just sit around. It's looking like we're going to have some fine weather on Saturday. We'll be open from 9 to 3 pm. Park in the church parking lot across the street. If you've been thinking about buying a Weekender Chair now is the time to get a great deal. You can go to that big Freeport retailer and buy a crappy chair for around $200 or you can spend just a wee bit more and find REAL quality at 18 Salmon Falls Road Bar Mills, Maine. See you soon!

Summer's End Barn Sale Details #4

Two more paintings by Jordan Leach will be available at Saturday's barn Sale. "Busy Bodies" and "Haunted" measure 48" by 33". Big, bold and colorful. And a bargain at $100 each. 20 of Jordan's paintings will be on display and for sale. See you all on Saturday at 9 am! Weather promises to be perfect.

Summer's End Barn Sale Details #3

Sit back and enjoy a good book. There's still plenty of outdoors backyard down time left. So relax and kick back. I have hundreds of gently used paperbacks, many of them bestsellers in the mystery/thriller genre that originally sold at $8 and $9 a pop. They will be going for $2 a book or $5 for three at my Summer's End Barn Sale. Save the date: September 5th, 2009 from 9 to 3 at 18 Salmon Falls Road, Bar Mills, Maine. See you soon!

Summer's End Barn Sale Details #2

I will have a limited number of my Walden Walkers rock maple walking sticks available in the $1 to $10 price range. Pick a stick and Take A Hike! See you on September 5th. Scroll down to see more items that will be available to see and to buy at my Barn Sale.

Also, I will have over 500 gently used paperbacks, many in the mystery/thriller category but also non-fiction and contemporary fiction trade paperbacks. Price will be $2 each or 3 for $5.00. Such a deal.

The Summer's End Barn Sale will be located at my workshop/studio located on the Saco River in Bar Mills Maine. From Gorham follow 202 to 4A in Buxton. Turn Right. Salmon Falls Road is left off 4A. We are at 18 Salmon Falls Road. First house on left. Yellow with attached Barn.

September 5th Barn Sale Details #1

Looking for a good home! I have Weekender chairs available in the $250 price range. These are floor samples, prototypes and studies. All are in great shape after a summer spent in the great outdoors. So come on down to my Summer's End Barn Sale on September 5th and take one (or all) home.

Summer's End Barn Sale

Planning is almost complete for my "Summer's End Barn Sale", now scheduled for Saturday September 5th (Labor Day Weekend) at my workshop in Bar Mills. Email me for details and directions: shakerondack@dirkleach.com. Stay tuned to my blog page as I upload more photos of what will be available, like the two Weekender chairs shown above for instance, or the Fresh Artwork below.

Fresh Art

"Island" and "Scenic Overlook" were completed this week. Both measure 48" wide by 32" tall.

I use fine exterior house paint on Masonite panels. "Island" is available. "Scenic Overlook" is now in a private collection. See more at my Wicked Huge Barn Sale on September 5th.

PYO Art

Fresh vegetables for the body. Fresh art for the soul. This is the sign outside the workshop. It means the artist, Jordan, is available for "art talk" and a tour of his other works. His paintings generally are in the $100 to $250 price range. Of course they are cheaper by the bushel.

Fresh Art For Sale

Here are three more paintings recently completed. From top to bottom they are: "Cathedral", "Fifteen Yellow Houses With Brown Porches Stuck In The Middle Of Nowhere", and "Venice".

Each is painted on Masonite measuring 48" wide by 33" tall. The plan is to find a good print maker and have these scanned and reproduced using high quality inks. The prints and originals will be available for sale at my "Wicked Huge Barn Sale" on September 5. Hope to see you there.

Uptown

I guess I cannot get away from my love of maps. Those images invade my painting. I used to sell maps for Delorme, publisher's of the iconic Maine Atlas and Gazetteer. I'd be on the road selling store to store. At the end of the day I'd land in some town, find a cheap motel and settle in for the evening. I always grabbed a couple of maps off my van to study before bedtime. Explore the lay of the land around me, plan my route for the next day, see where all those lines go. Drive down the back roads in my mind's eye.

Implode

The dark side of Jordan comes through in this haunting image of the final days. Cities fall under the weight of their own self importance. Twisted steel and broken glass under a blood red sky.

August Promotion!

I am offering free shipping on your order of two or more Weekender Chairs (within a 100 mile radius of Bar Mills, ME 04004). There's still plenty of Maine summer to enjoy. So pick up the phone or send an email to place your order today and have your handcrafted, totally awesome Weekender Chairs delivered just in time for all your midsummer's festivities.

Masspike

This is near where the Mass Pike goes under the Pru Center. In my mind's eye of course.

Street Life

I recently returned to Maine from a quick trip to suburban Boston. I can only take that area in small doses. The traffic and streets and people living on top of each other. The woods made into developments. Intersecting streets with endless lights and everyone bumper to bumper with glaring faces. Noise, disorder and discord. And grinding, grating colors. Here's the impression that I get.

Link To The Press Herald Article

If you missed the article on DIY Adirondacks in the Sunday Maine Telegram a couple of weeks ago you can still read it. Just click on the link below:

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=263012&ac=Home

Baggage

I've been getting off track. Losing myself in the painting. This one is called "Baggage". Now I'm getting ready to go back to creating some new chair designs. I think the paintings are like push ups for my creative mind. I am stretching the muscles that drive my imagineering. I've taken my Weekender chair design as far as it will go. I'm happy to build more to meet customer demand. But I am already sketching what's next. Something a bit more contemporary and where comfort and quality construction are still key. Stay tuned. The momentum is building.

Innards

This is my take on our inner topography. Guts, heart, liver, kidney intestines, major arteries. It's all there somewhere. Not sure what the green stuff is. Maybe bile. Maybe this is the insides of a lobster and the green stuff is the tamale. I'd like a nice big lobster roll right about now. Lots of mayo and a little celery on a fresh white bun. Wicked good.

Art or Adobe?

I used Adobe Photo Shop to manipulate my "Donkey Boy" painting and this is the result. It is a "crystallized" version created by the computer with a few simple keystrokes. I find it delightful and very satisfying to play with this new tool. This is what they call "New Media" or "Digital Media". Call it another great way to make art.

Big Doings In Buxton, Maine

I will have a booth at Buxton Community Days next Saturday (7/25) from 10 to 3 on the lawn at Tory Hill Meeting House at the junction of Routes 202 and 112. Come on by and sample my chairs, benches and stools. I will also be selling my artwork and paperback books. The chairs will run you $375, the books are a bargain at 3 for $5.

She's Got Legs!

In my opinion there's nothing finer than a nice set of gams. My "Grace" chair has the best set of legs I've seen in a long time. Especially on a chair. Another great thing about my Grace is she's also got great arms, a nice gently sloping back and nice full seat. In fact I'd say she's a perfect 10. But then again I'm her daddy so what do I know? You can experience Grace for yourself. I am making a limited edition of only 25. So far I'm up to number six. Cost for Grace in solid oak with your choice of color is $650.

Donkey Boy, The Painting

Donkey Boy lives in the woods behind our house and comes out during the full moon to steal food and supplies. And small, misbehaving children. He's crazy so you don't want to get too close to him. He understands the world in colors rather than language so I am still trying to figure out the code. If you can read the code in this painting, you are either a genius or you're the DONKEY BOY! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Free Shipping!

I must be crazy but am offering free shipping for the months of July and August. O.K., now here comes the disclaimer: applies to purchases of two or more Weekender chairs with a range limit of 150 miles from Bar Mills, Maine which is the epicenter of finely crafted furnishings for great outdoor living. Order your chairs today and receive free white glove delivery right in time for your midsummer's lawn parties.

Staycation Paradise

Karl , Sharon, Aidan and Ava can now enjoy great outdoor living beside their brand new fire pit. Their lively new Weekender chairs provide the perfect angle for marshmallow roasting, adult beverage consuming, stargazing and fireworks watching. Karl, who works 10-12 hours a day at his own business, somehow found the time and energy to compose this lovely hard scape. Nice work Karl! I wish you all many, many fine staycations and engaging conversations living the good life in your own back yard.

Warm Earth

"Warm Earth" is proving to be a popular color this summer (Benjamin Moore #1274) My Weekender Chair #37 is going to a Massachusetts residence, where the owner hopes to enjoy many pleasant hours amongst the flowers in mini "staycations" right in her own back yard.

July Sale!

Wanted: good home for Weekender chairs of various personalities. I am offering eight of my early/experimental chairs at the amazing low price of $200 each. Just $200 bucks! That's what you'd pay for one of those crappy chairs from A Big Freeport Retailer. And mine are ten times as gorgeous and will last ten times as long. Hurry to the phone and reserve yours now. These awesomely comfortable and exceedingly well behaved Weekenders won't last long. (207) 929-5767. Operators are standing by to answer your call!

Seven Lakes

Another Topo Graphic from my alter ego Jordan Leach. Jordan is in touch with his feminine side. He likes to paint and listen to soft jazz. Dirk on the other hand likes to push wood through jointers and planers and band saws. He listens to CYY turned up to 11. Foo Fighters, Seether, Taking Back Sunday, 311, Incubus, Saving Abel.

Topographic

More painting. This is another in my "Mental Mapping" series. Acrylic on hardboard. 30" x 48". I've always loved pouring over topographic maps but thought they could use a bit more color. This would look awesome printed on fabric. Curtains, dresses, handbags, a bed spread. You could even buy chairs to match. I can give you the name of a great chair maker.

Opening Night Silent Auction!

On Friday July 10th, Legacy Theatre Company of Saco will be hosting a silent auction before and after their opening night's performance of "Chicago". My blue chair will go to the highest bidder. So bid early and bid often. Come see great theater, support local charities and introduce yourself to Southern Maine's newest and brightest theater company. Please bring a non-perishable food item to support Legacy Theatre Company's mission to help feed the hungry, clothe the needy and house the homeless.

Three Paintings

I've been painting these last several days. Each of these is pretty large. I used sheets of 1/4" thick hardboard measuring 48" long by 32" tall. Top to bottom: "Sprawl", "Industrial Park" and "On The Grid". I set the hardboard down on sawhorses and worked over it. I prefer 1" foam brushes and like to lay the paint on thick. The paint is leftover from my "Journey of 100 Chairs" project. I lose track of time, becoming totally absorbed by the work. Usually I start with an idea. "Sprawl" shows how we eat up green space when everybody gets their own piece of the American Pie. "Industrial Park" is all about concrete and tractor trailers lined up at warehouses. The natural landscape peeks through in tiny blocks of green. "On The Grid" shows a small piece of shoreline or natural landscape becoming absorbed into the Grid.