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Five-Drawer Dresser
Warm Wisconsin Cherry
Arts and Crafts
Interior Bench
A
shallow drawer in the seat
houses a blanket or throw.
Crafted in
Cherry
Armoire
Crafted in Cherry
Arts and Crafts
Combination Wood Table
(shown with detail)
The table
features a top of curly Cherry; the base is Maple
with a
curly Maple drawer front; bird's
eye Maple
was used for the slats.
The front apron features a
Cherry stripe that also forms the bottom of
the
drawer front. Speciality Woods Based on
Availability
Morris Chair and Ottoman
Smooth, natural finished Cherry
Entertainment Center with
Hideaway Pocket Doors
Quarter sawn white oak
Nightstand
Quarter sawn White Oak
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Bill Bale (or
Sandhill Bill, as he signs himself) specializes in
Arts & Crafts style furniture. He’s been a
WAAC member since he started his business in Fort
Atkinson, Wisconsin, in 1995. The final WAAC winter
show held at the Holiday Inn was his first ever art
fair. “After that first scary outing, I
started volunteering with the group and making
friends along the way. This has made all of my art
fairs more fun, never knowing which gypsy friend
will pull into the next booth space,” Bill
said.
When it comes to
work, he doesn’t really have a typical day. He
spends most of the day in the shop plugging away at
the next project. Unlike most artists, almost all
of his work is commissioned. The purpose of an art
fair for him is to hand out brochures and create
interest. For Bill, to get the booth fee back at a
show is unusual. “I really get tired of people
telling me how slow this show is, when they’ve
only sold $5000 worth. It's all perspective. Mine
comes over time.”
Bill’s workshop
is wonderful. He has a 40 x 60 foot steel
building—about half of which is made into shop
and showroom space. That’s right, he has a
full-time showroom, a luxury most artists only
dream of. “Lucky me!! My workshop is now large
enough to have room to work without having to be
continually moving things around just to work. It
truly is a dream shop,” Bill
confirmed.
Another thing Bill
has been enjoying is getting the Earth,Wood, and
Fire Studio Tour going. It started four years
ago with two locations and four artists. This year
it’s up to twelve artists at nine locations.
“I'm really happy to be bringing these other
fine artists and craftspeople to the attention of
the general public and their neighbors,” Bill
said. The tour has already attracted patrons from
over 300 miles away. “It really has proved to
be a great way to bring people in. They love the
idea of getting a behind-the-scenes look into our
lives. Oh, the glamour of being an artist!!!”
“I only do about
a half dozen shows a year. The two WAAC shows are
my favorites—more friends, home-court comfort
zone. Any other questions?”
As a matter of fact, yes. How long have you been
an artist? Were you interested as a child or did
you become interested later in life?
How long have you been an artist?
My first art fair was in '95, the last WAAC show at
the Holiday Inn. It was an evolution from being a
carpenter. I really didn't like being out in the
elements, particularly the cold.
Why do you work in wood?
It's the only thing I
know.
Describe your
technique.
Sand, sand, sand, and
then sand some more. Just kidding. I use
traditional woodworking joinery techniques, made
with modern tools.
If you couldn't be
an artist, what other profession would interest
you?
I can't imagine ever
having to go back to a "real" job. If I could
change medium I'd love to be able to work with
glass.
What do you like
least about being an artist? Most?
Least—The
risk of foul weather at art fairs (and
port-a-potties). I dislike getting ready for
shows.
Most—My independence, I have a great
boss. Plus the clients I have are just really nice.
Working with them through the process they all
become friends, which makes every town a little bit
of a social gathering. I probably enjoy
imagining—telling everybody I'm my own
boss?
If your art were a
food, what would it be and why?
Something high in
fiber I guess. What the heck kind of question is
that?
Any biographical
information such as age, married, children,
interesting facts, awards.
Old
enough to know better. I've been married to Wendy
for 27 years, and we have a daughter, Lezlie, and a
grandson, Sean, and a second grandson due late in
November.
Functional furniture doesn't get a lot of attention
from judges, but last year I got the surprise of my
career and my first ever best of category at
Madison's Art Fair Off the Square. I was
even more surprised to get another at the West
End Festival a few weeks later.
The Earth, Wood, and Fire
Studio Tour is October 25th and 26th this year.
If you want more information you may reach Bill at 920-568-0333. He doesn’t always
hear the phone because he’s got machinery on,
so you may wish to check out his Web site (the
address is below) or email him at sandhill@sandhilldesigns.com.
Bill's work can be seen at
our annual July Art Fair off the Square and
our November Winter Art Festival, both in
Madison, Wisconsin. You can learn much more about
his work on his Web site at:
www.sandhilldesigns.com
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