Have not posted on this blog in a number of years and thought of the many visitors seeking information concerning the craft of marquetry. Retirement has kept me busy with my many endeavors, but marquetry remains my favorite pastime. Currently, I am restoring lost images on this blog that, for one reason or another, were lost. Comments were disabled years ago because some people were disrespectful by abusing the service to promote their views. Some of these individuals are no longer around.
During the past few years I have seen a few changes in the craft. One is that it has become more of a mechanical craft and less of a handcraft. Scrollsawers abound with no knowledge of a fretsaw or knife. Today, learning marquetry in a class or workshop can cost large sums of money and very few will create enough art to recoup their investment. When I was President of the local marquetry group, I taught the craft with hand held tools which I furnished to students for the cost of veneer and a cup of coffee. I always thought that marquetry should be portable and utilized anywhere, anytime. I have been known to execute marquetry while camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with none other than knife, veneer and cutting board. Gone are the days of simplicity.
One thing that has not changed is the perception that you can earn a living at marquetry. I know of no one who does that in this day and age without relying on other forms of woodworking. That's not to say you can't make money at the craft. It's possible as a supplemental income. The determining factors usually come down to how it's made and pricing with specialization a plus. Gallery's are a dubious source for selling by consignment. Art fairs is one option. I know of one craftsman who made a nice income at a renaissance festival, but that's only 2 months of selling with 10 months of crafting.
After 30+ years in marquetry, I only do commissions and those pieces that spark my creativity. Sometimes I see something that looks challenging. My effort displayed in the photo above. This is Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper measuring 15"by 30" using various veneers of domestic origin. Marquetry should be enjoyable and rewarding.
