Craig Thibodeau's Dogwood Marquetry Buffet

Craig in his studio

Craig sent some photos of his new 'dogwood marquetry buffet', so I'll focus this post on Craig's dogwood theme. It's a good example of marquetry's affinity for natural imagery. In a recent post - Craig Thibodeau's Art Deco Chess Table - I presented some of his Art Deco pieces. Silas Kopf was originally attracted to marquetry by the Art Nouveau floral designs of Galle and Majorelle. Craig took a course from Paul Schurch, another master at enhancing furniture designs with natural marquetry imagery. Like Silas and Paul, Craig is constantly expanding his marquetry and furniture design vocabulary while developing his own unique look. 

Dogwood flower marquetry motif
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Here are the pictures of this impressive dogwood marquetry buffet. I've added some images of Craig's other dogwood embellished furniture pieces, as well as one gardenia themed sideboard and mirror. Marquetry can morph into an endless variety of themes and shapes.

Gradually a complete view of Craig's profile and portfolio will coalesce into the MiArtStudio gallery.

Craig Thibodeau's Gallery Portfolio
To see more examples go to Craig's gallery portfolio or his site at ctfinefurniture.com.

The 'Dogwood Marquetry Buffet'

 Dogwood Marquetry Buffet

  marquetry on an ash burl background with a wenge framework
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Detail of marquetry design on cabinet doors
Dogwood flowers are holly with sand-shading
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Craig Thibodeau's Art Deco Chess Table

Craig Thibodeau in his studio

Craig Thibodeau grew up around woodworking and enjoyed it as a hobby. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering and started a career in industrial product design. However, after his children were born, his hobby became a home-based vocation and his workshop became a professional studio.

A series of specialized courses

To intensify and deepen this transition he immersed himself in a series of specialized courses, such as:

• Advanced marquetry and veneering with Paul Shurch
• Hand applied finishes at the College of the Redwoods
• Traditional French Marquetry with Patrick Edwards
• Compound Bending with Brian Newell

This is part one of a two-part post

In this first part I'll focus on a few Ruhlmann-inspired Art Deco furniture pieces. I spoke with Craig after I made my last two posts: 'Rodney Black's Art Deco vision for Lady Christine IV interiors'; and 'Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann: genius of Art Deco' . Since I was planning to do a post on Craig's marquetry-enriched furniture designs, he suggested that I start with a few of his Art Deco tables and accessories.

As Silas Kopf pointed out in my last post:

"The man who has had the greatest influence on designer-craftsmen of furniture in the last 100 years is undoubtedly Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann"

One fine example of this is Craig Thibodeau's Art Deco Chess table

  

  Art Deco Chess Table

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