Yankee Bevels

"It is just that, a tool. It does not replace craftsmanship. It helps you do a better job, the right way." - Chester Rice

During his 50+ years as a boat builder, my grandfather developed a series of tools know as the Yankee Bevels. Although he undoubtedly used these in his own work for years, it was not until the early 80's that he began fabricating the tools and making them available to the public. They were sold primarily through a small mail order operation and at classic boat shows around New England, several of which I was lucky enough to attend with him. However, after his passing in the mid 90's, the Bevels and all related material, were placed in a steamer trunk and put into storage.

It was not until recently when I was contacted by Wooden Boat magazine did I consider digging out the trunk. Apparently, the bevels are still in use by classic boat builders throughout the area, and the magazine wants to recognize that. What started as a search for some old clippings and paperwork has turned into a full time project. Over the past month I have been digitizing, drawing, and modeling in order to launch a new website and possibly do a limited production run of my own using both new and old stock. For now, I still have much to learn, and will be detailing the entire process here in future posts.

Tall Boys

Two different base prototypes for an upcoming project. I'm trying out a few different designs and constructions techniques before I start on the final build of 8 pieces.

Boats

A couple of the custom sailboat parts I made over the summer. The tiller was carved from a solid piece of mahogany, the windows are a tinted lexan. I am currently working on a transom support and railings for this craft, as well as another set of windows for a much larger vessel.

Cornices

Just finished building these for a friends nursery. They're wicked girly.

Buy Art

Last week I set up one of the trees to help display the window paintings in a newer Pawtucket gallery. I had to shave a few inches off of the upper branches, but eventually got it to fit. I really like the the way the wood looked against the gray wall, and ended up taking a few pictures. One of which I submitted to Providence's "Buy Art" campaign.

The city is choosing 5 images to be used in this year's button campaign. The buttons are sold at various retail shops as part of "a city-wide advocacy initiative that spurs us all to actively participate in the Providence Arts Scene." In addition to the exposure, winners also receive a generous stipend, which would almost cover the amount I've paid in parking tickets over the past few years.

Shameless Self Promotion

Congratulations to Providence Art Windows, which was picked the best of public art in the latest Rhode Island Monthly poll. Included with the article was a picture of our recent window.

"If there's one upside to downtown Providence's vacant shop windows, it's that Providence Art Windows has filled many of them with paintings, installations and sculpture. Works are changed up three times a year, with each show featuring ten pieces by local and national artists. The display (mostly contained to Washington and Westminster streets) is free and open to the public twenty-four-seven, so there's really no excuse not to check it out. That is, of course, if you can manage to score a parking spot in Downcity."

Also, The local newspaper in Lincoln, IL did a great story on the "Funk's Grove" movie. I'll have some better scans soon now that I have an actual copy (Thanks Tara!) I should mention that the farm where we stayed/filmed was hit by a tornado a few days after we left. No one was hurt, but the large barn which housed several props/sets was completely destroyed.