the studio and gallery :: the construction
Now under roof, it was time to close it all in. Winter was now just around the corner and the Amish were done with their part, but I still had a lot to do. I was told about a Mennonite guy from Big Valley who was an all-purpose craftsman with a real eye for creativity. My friend Denny Olson from Allensville Planing Mill recommended him. John Shrock came on board to help me close up the gable ends and to side the kitchen addition, which is off of the south end of the building. John also helped me in my spiritual walk. His love of God and knowledge of the scriptures inspired some great conversation while we hung twenty feet in the air pounding nails.
Being the "economically minded" person that I am, I tried to use as much recycled material as I could. I acquired a lot of great stuff from my friend Dave Steinbacher, who demolishes old buildings and saves the really cool and usable stuff. I also looked into my own backyard - I had quite a few logs that were either too short or crooked to use on the building, so I took ones of reasonable length and had them sawn into 1 ½ inch boards to floor my loft and create window trim. The floorboards were put down with authentic handmade nails given to me by my neighbor, Ken Simpson.
Because my log building is in the 21st century, it is able to have electricity. Enter my best friend Mike. Mike Weyhe, of Miller Electric fame, learned his trade from his Dad and is a genius of modern electrification. His skill is only surpassed by his friendship, and believe me, I put both to the test.
Well, at this point I was pretty much closed in, except that there were no doors and nothing between the logs; winter was rounding the corner and I could feel its chill in the air. Some people call it karma, but I call it being blessed by God. Sam Stout is a master carpenter by trade and makes beautiful furniture on the side. I asked him to make me doors - what I got were showpieces. (Let me take this moment to say that some people who come to my gallery could care less about the artwork because the building and all of its cool details overwhelm them.) Sam is another one who got more than he bargained for. So far he has custom built the doors, cabinets, screen doors and an oak threshold.
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