a bit about me

I have had a hard time getting started here, as it has been a few months since I created this site. I thought the best way to get myself started would be to write something about myself.

Earning a degree in Architecture has focused my attention on the built world just about every moment of the day. When I say “built world” I do not always mean buildings. I also mean the smaller scale of furniture, product design, art, anything that was intentionally created with style in mind. Whether by machine or by hand, someone designed that object, and I feel the need to comment, and in turn get people’s opinions.
From my website:
“Since graduation from the college of architecture at The Illinois Institute of Technology, I have tried my hands at several various crafts. I started with painting, actually during my time in the university. Once I entered the working world, I felt that I needed to add to the design that occurred largely on the computer at work, and work with my hands building furniture. My need for a constantly running project led me to begin rebuilding bikes.
My paintings are, for me, a meditative act that results in images that I only come to recognize when the work is complete. The planning stage generally only goes as far as deciding the dominant color and the proportions or arrangement of the canvas or canvases. The specific image mutates and twists and changes as easily as my emotions until it reaches the point that I allow it to freeze in time.
My furniture is one of my hobbies that receives little physical action, but I am constantly sketching the next idea. I have only completed a handful of projects, but several are in the making, and hopefully I can add to my completed list soon. I work primarily in wood, and am currently working on a project built from an ash tree taken down after being infected by the parasite the emerald ash borer. If this tree was allowed to stand, the insect would be free to infect and kill more trees. The consciousness of using this wood is inspiring to me, as I face the dichotomy of wishing to work with wood and its inherent warmth and beauty, but also dread the notion of taking down an integral part of our ecosystem.
Lastly, (for now) I rebuild bikes. I love the simplicity and beauty of bicycle as machine, but I also enjoy the idea that rebuilding the bike is a symbol of sustainability and social and environmental responsibility. By rebuilding a bike, I am not only keeping that bike from either being destroyed or entering the landfill but I am also re-creating a new health-friendly and gas-free means of transportation. I have found the patience to strip a frame down, repaint, and totally rebuild it with freshly polished parts, and realized that the bikes I create take on a new life.”

Soon, I will be posting images here of my works, and I am creating a new website filled with images as well – future location unknown. This blog will not only be a venue for my work, but I also intend to write about the design that I see in an open discussion type format. I intend to post these images alongside other images that I find of items I find worth talking about.

I hope that this process can lead me towards new goals and transformations in my work, but also find that there are other people out there that see the world similarly… -shane staley

Just getting started

Hi all,

This blog will hopefully be my vehicle for tackling some of the issues that bounce around in my head repeatedly day in and day out.

If you know me, you have some idea of how frequently I surf craigslist in search of great retro furniture, fixer upper bikes, tools, and on and on. yes cl is my friend.  You also may know that I spend much time thinking about how to build new things. Yes, its true, I’d also like to create a place to showcase my projects; furniture, bikes, and whatever else I may make next. But this will also be home to my thoughts on the products and design that I run into that may be considered kitsch, contemporary, modern…and just critiquing the bandwagon.

Here, I would like to begin some conversation with my thoughts on design creativity, refurbished creativity, expressive creativity and the like.  Subjects include design, architecture, furniture, sustainability, minimalism, art, bicycles, off-the-shelf materials, construction, and living lightly, thinly.  All of the above in their ability to be rethought, reused, rebuilt, etc.  How can we make things inexpensively, conscious of the environment and the excessive use of materials and time, and still make great products?

My hope is that I can help people out there find new ideas for their spaces, or their hands, and, through that- myself as well, and hopefully not piss anyone off.

my little disclaimer: as for now, this is not a complete thought.  modifications will occur, topics may be dropped and added- accept it.  i don’t claim to know anything at this point- this is an exploration.  input will be accepted.  all thoughts will allow considerate constructive comments- please share your ideas!

Thanks!

shane