Craig Arnold

BIO

I am a life-long resident of the Kansas City area. I started woodworking when I was eight years old with a master furniture maker, my grandfather, working with him for 10 years. I still use his bench planes and saws today.

I began selling my furniture creations in the early 1980s, and for the previous 15 years, I have built and taught at the Kansas City Woodworkers' Guild.

I build primarily Arts & Crafts period furniture. I draw inspiration from designers and makers of the period: Gustav Stickley (and his brothers), Charles Limbert, and Harris Lebus. The simple lines and robust joinery make the furniture I build an instant heirloom. My goal is to celebrate the beauty of the wood while constructing a useful piece of furniture or home décor while being reverent to the original designs.

Artist Statement

What do you put in a box? Anything that needs to be held, protected, or cherished. The boxes I make are from leftover wood from furniture projects. Whether the wood has a unique grain or figure, a knot, or other unique feature, I'll keep it for a box project.

My objective is to make a beautiful box, as close to perfect as I'm able. I want to celebrate the wood, showing off what nature provides, while making something useful and decorative.

Exhibitions