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Yosemite under Orion's gaze

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Sam Maloof - National Treasure



One of the great joys in my life has been my good fortune in building friendships and relationships with talented artists, writers and craftsmen whose work I really admire. Allan Adler, Rick Griffin, Andy Powers, Roger Zelazny - I treasure my relationship with these people. Sometimes they happen to be fantastic human beings as well. Such is the case with Sam Maloof. (as well as those other guys!) A ninety something wonderkind, Sam is the greatest furniture maker in the world and pioneered his clean line look from scratch. An early associate of the great painter Millard Sheets, Sam has an incredible sense of style.  And he is the sweetest guy you would ever want to meet.  I have been fortunate enough to sell several of his pieces over the years and now have a gorgeous dining set in my gallery.

I had to deliver a painting to Rancho Cucamonga today and stopped by to see Sam, Bev, Roz and his longtime staff of compatriots, Larry, David and Mike. He is working on more new designs, a chase lounge amongst other things and his new museum facility is now finished. Incredibly awesome, if you are in the Alta Loma area you should make an appointment to see it on the periodic days he is open to the public.



We may be working out a trade for some stuff in fiddleback maple so I am super stoked. Here are a few pics from the day. It started off auspiciously with a full rainbow. Nice rainy day like we need out here.

Robert


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Our family went to Maloof's house and shop a few years ago... we took my Dad who is about the same age as Sam. My Dad just turned 93. Maloof does wonderful work... his house was a great, yet simple mid-century modern design.... we bought my Dad a book about Sam and his work and he recently gave it back to me. He is whittling down his "stuff" knowing that he is nearing the end. ( I say nearing the end... he is as healthy as a horse, although he can't remember shit!!)

Blue Heron said...

As long as he can shit, Mike. I actually think we talked at the Rick Griffin show - I knew him from the Costa Mesa ghetto days on Sunflower before his son burnt the christmas tree and the house down. And after that when he moved to Petaluma but things got a little whacky. Sam is just a treat. You've seen the Maloof set in my shop, haven't you?

Anonymous said...

Robert... No, I have not seen the Maloof piece in your store... I will come by and check it out.

What kind of work were you doing with Griffin???

Anonymous said...

Sam has such a kind face. It's wonderful how when a lot of people get older, they become more beautiful.

Blue Heron said...

Mike, we were mostly just buddies, but we would brainstorm my conceptions for artwork occasionally that he would sometimes actualize.

A few things in Zap, nothing major. But it was very validating and he would always listen. An important being, but my feelings re: our relationship are very unresolved because he had a unique view of his responsibility to perform his business obligations.

In the long run I came out way ahead. It is always a tough thing to befriend your idols. We had some great roadtrips to San Francisco. A true bonafide mystic legend.