Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Hirsch.
Dylan, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I suppose it starts rather young. My grandfather was a woodworker, though he passed when I was around 3, all the toys he made me and my siblings and various carved items left an impression on me. The feel of wood, shaped and sanded, turned into something fun and exciting. Also, my father was a very handy person so as a kid if there was something, we wanted that could be made he would let us. When I was maybe 12, I wanted to make a wood sword. My dad gave me some scraps and very briefly showed me how to use a few of his large scary power tools (Basically how to turn them on) and left me to my own devices. That day, with just a few cuts, some glue, and LOTS of hand filing/sanding, I made a historically accurate (from what a 12yr old could research) roman gladius. I’m still impressed with what childhood me was able to do with zero knowledge. From then on, I always enjoyed making whatever I could. I loved being a king of DIY and a master MacGyver.
However, for a long time my focus was film. I studied at SDSU, became a freelance production sound mixer, and really only made things when I needed something that I wasn’t about to pay “film prices” for. But then freelance would leave me with spans of time where I would not be working…. for weeks, sometimes a month or two. Now I’m a professional relaxer and doer of nothing, sometimes described as a walking tropical vacation but even I have my limits so I needed a hobby and I considered playing around with wood. I remembered my enjoyment of it, the feel of it, and in the very least I could make myself a pile of utilitarian furniture. So, over the course of a few years’ worth of Christmas and birthday presents I built up a nice little shop of tools and in my time off I would “do nothing” by playing around in the shop, hanging with my dog Koda and making whatever I thought might be fun or interesting.
Slowly I made more and more things. Starting with a couple apple boxes (a film set necessity) that for the life of me I couldn’t make square, then onto shelves for a friend, a small bench for my sister, a crazy shaped custom bed frame for an LA actor friend, slowly moving into hardwoods and then really finding the creative passion. Soon I found myself taking commissions from friends and now from Etsy clients. I stopped making things that were just basic and functional to creating things I didn’t need or even have any use for but that I simply thought were beautiful.
I suppose that is where I am now. Still a very green woodworker in my opinion, slowly discovering my style, my forms, and always wanting to try new and different things.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I suppose in the simplest terms what I do at the moment is woodworking. I turn wood, into things other than just a hunk of wood. Though a pretty hunk of wood can be its own thing. I make any number of items, cutting boards, benches, bookshelves, bed frames, one of my favorites are my hardwood makeup brush stands, but really, it’s whatever catches my fancy.
Most of the things I make are motivated by gift giving. Many firsts were for birthday presents, Christmas gifts, or just because. Often, I’m inspired by people and what I think they might appreciate. I’ll make a food enthusiast the heirloom cutting board they might not have the money to buy themselves, or a business-oriented friend a hand burned desk nameplate to remind everyone who the boss is. Other times I’m just inspired by looking around at thrift stores, and browsing antiques. Taking from various styles like art deco, farmhouse, Victorian, and putting my own sensibility to it. But I also love accidental discoveries. I often look through my scrap pile for interesting shapes, or bits that just might make something else.
I like making quality pieces. I enjoy the idea of the things I make outlasting me. That a small piece of me could be handed down for generations and that’s the kind of love I try to put into all my pieces. I love the history some items in our lives can experience and that’s always something I try to keep in mind when making things. I think of a grandchild who runs their hands along their grandmother’s brush stand and feels the heavy solid piece of shaped and smoothed walnut that’s seen decades of life but still feels as luscious as the day she got it.
As I slowly move into making more and more of what I like to call “heirloom” quality pieces I want people to take away the idea that there are still things that are meant to last a lifetime. That there are still things that are solid and honest. I’m not the biggest talker but when I hand you a piece, I’ve made for you, you know what I mean to say.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
I thinks the only advice I might have would be for other starting wood workers…. Slow the F#$K down! I often say “Wood working is a constant exercise in finding out just how stupid I am” and I think that’s a good thing to be reminded of from time to time. Though a ruined board or item might be hurled across the shop before I appreciate the hard lesson, I’ve taught myself. Having a dog with judgmental eyes also helps keep one in line and they make for good idea bouncers/conversationalists when you realize you’ve spent a week talking only to yourself and oak boards.
Patience is key, Wood is a game of utter patience. whether it’s waiting weeks/months for a single board to be ready for working or spending an hour or two slowly sanding something to perfection by hand rather than ruining it in 10 seconds with an unruly orbital sander.
That being said… imperfections are not the end, in fact they should be celebrated. A little wonk makes it real, makes it yours. Embrace the flaws. The most interesting pieces of wood are never the “perfect” ones.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I have a Facebook, and thanks to so much push from friends an Instagram and Etsy page. I’d say the best way to support is to order something, or commission something (I love trying new things!) for you or a friend. I’m slowly building up a stockpile of pretty things I have no use for haha! Just shoot me a message or give me a jingle!
Contact Info:
- Website: whiterabbetworks.etsy.com
- Email: whiterabbetworks@yahoo.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/whiterabbetworks/
- Facebook: facebook.com/WhiteRabbetWorks/
Image Credit:
Jose Valdez
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