Meet Tom Larkin
"I grew up in an artistic environment, learning the basic artistic principles standing by my father's drawing table watching him work. I was carving wood by the time I was 15 years old.
I studied sculpture both privately and at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York always with an emphasis on wood. While I have been classically trained by European Craftsmen in both cabinet making and woodcarving, the real training ground has been the 35 years of developing my shop and my work.
All of these influences have melded and matured, and now I speak with my own voice. The work is my own. My style is based upon traditional jointery and construction techniques.
One of the threads that run through my work is the use of hand tools. These cutting tools give the final finish to all of the surfaces. The cleanly cut, polished wood surface that comes from a sharp tool allows the wood's diverse colors and textures to show through, unmarred by sanding scratches. I find it appealing to watch the wood patterns emerge stroke by stroke as I work with a sharp chisel or plane.
Other elements are also important, such as choosing good, solid construction techniques, and pleasing color combinations. Grain and careful pattern matching enhance the flow and balance of the piece. My work is built to be both beautiful and durable.
I would like to say THANKS for the opportunity to build your door. I hope that your home and your door will be a source of joy for as long as you live there."
Best wishes, Tom Larkin
Tom works at his home in the Wet Mountain Valley in the southern Colorado mountains producing hand carved doors and furniture. His work has been featured in galleries, shows, magazines, and on television.