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Custom commissions are welcome. Original designs may be drafted for your approval.
Flexibility with the designs and dimensions, as well as wood choices are important factors that are highly valued by those that have worked with me in the past.
Anyone interested in a list of available pieces, a show schedule, or discussing a project may contact me by clicking the link below.
> Contact Jeff Easley
> Upcoming Show Schedule
Related Work History
The Amana Colonies (in Amana, Iowa) are renowned for handcrafted furniture of traditional designs. It was there that I learned to respect both machines and wood. For five years I was employed at the Amana Furniture Shop building rocking chairs, dressers, china cupboards, hutches, and a variety of smaller pieces of furniture.
Woodworking as an Occupation
Undivided attention is required, as woodworking is a very dangerous business. A filter mask must be worn most of the day, as all of the dust produced is toxic. Hearing protection and a face shield are also necessities for many of the procedures. Woodworking is physically demanding. Rough lumber must be hand selected, loaded, unloaded, and placed in racks until selected again for a particular project. Once the lumber is chosen, it is then cut slightly oversize, flat planed, parallel planed, joined, and then worked with a variety of equipment to produce the desired results. Next, the components are sanded using a variety of equipment, using progressively finer grades of sandpaper and finally hand polished with 0000 steel wool. Once the project is assembled and the final details attended to, a finish of Danish oil and Tung oil is thoroughly applied by hand, bringing out the natural beauty of the woods.
Current Activities
My time is divided between designing and building custom commissions and producing speculation art furniture and wall sculptures, which are exhibited at major juried art fairs and trade shows throughout the nation.
A show schedule is available upon request.
Selected Commissions
In 1995, the University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls) commissioned ten wall sculptures for their Commons Building. In 1996, the Iowa Sister State Program commissioned three wall sculptures to be given to the people of Yamanashi, Japan. My wife and I traveled to Japan to install the pieces in the International Center in Kofu and present them to the Governor of Yamanashi during the dedication ceremony.
Projects
Since 1979, some of the projects that I have designed and produced include: wall sculptures, consoles, side tables, sofa tables, entryway tables, buffets, coffee tables, end tables, dressers, nightstands, bed frames, floor and table lamps, freestanding sculptural timepieces, wall mounted timepieces, entertainment centers, chairs, accessories, and so on…
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Award-winning designer/artisan Jeff Easley continues to provide studio furniture and abstract wall sculptures to an appreciative audience, combining his high standards of craftsmanship with refined designs and the beauty of wood.
Since 1979, Easley’s designs have enhanced many residences, commercial interiors, health-care facilities and public spaces throughout the nation. The work conveys a language of geometry, harmonious proportioning and striking color contrasts. Non-endangered woods are chosen for their natural colors.
Easley exhibits at approximately 10-12 juried art festivals around the country each year. Please see the partial exhibit schedule for this year. Additional shows will be added to the schedule once acceptance notification has been received.
Flexibility with designs, dimensions and wood preferences are hallmarks of Easley’s success and are highly valued by those whom he has worked with in the past. Custom commissions are welcome and original designs may be drafted for your approval.
Commissioning a project is an adventure, enabling you to make decisions to suit your personal preferences and space requirements. By commissioning hand-built furniture or sculptural pieces for your walls, you are reflecting your appreciation of natural beauty and the triumph of order over chaos.
Awards and Recognition:
- Art and Air,Webster Groves, MO. Best of Show, wood/metal, 2010
- St. Charles Fine Art Show, St. Charles, IL, Cover Artist for show program, 2010
- St. Charles Art Fair, St. Charles, IL. Judges Choice, Overall Best of Show, based on a single piece of work, 2009
- Arts in Bartlett, Bartlett. IL.. Award of Excellence, 2009
- Lincolnshire Art Festival, Lincolnshire, IL. Best of Show, 3DF, 2009
- St. Charles Art Fair, St. Charles, IL. Best of Show, 2009
- St. Charles Art Show, St. Charles, IL. Purchase Award, 2007, 2008.
- 42nd Annual Edina Art Fair, Edina, MN. Award of Excellence, wood, 2008.
- Lincolnshire Art Festival, Lincolnshire, IL. Best of 3 D Functional, 2008
- Featured cover artist for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony concert program, 2008
- Art Fair on the Square, Lake Forest, IL. Award of Excellence, 2007
- Lincolnshire Art Festival, Lincolnshire, IL. Merit Award 3-DF, 2007
- Joliet Salute to the Masters, Joliet, IL. Best of 3-DF, 2007
- St. Charles Fine Art Show, St. Charles, IL. Best of Show 3-D, 2007
- Lakeview East Fine Arts Festival, Chicago, IL. Best of 3DF, 2006
- Lincolnshire Art Festival, Lincolnshire, IL. Merit Award 3DF, 2006
- Art at the Glen Town Center, Glenview, IL. Merit Award, 3-D Functional, 2005
- Promenade of Art, Arlington Heights, IL. Merit Award, 2005
- Minnesota Crafts Council Twin Cities Market, St. Paul. Honorable Mention Award, overall show, 2004.
- Ann Arbor State Street Area Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI. Honorable Mention Award, 3-D category, 2004
- Linconshire Art Festival, Linconshire Illinois. Best of Show award, wood, 2004
- Promenade of Art, Arlington Heights, Illinois. Best of Show award, wood, 2004
- Minnesota Crafts Council Twin Cities Market 2003, St. Paul, MN. Second Place Award, overall show, 2003
- Sausalito Art Festival, Sausalito, California. Second Place Award, wood, 2003
- Lincolnshire Art Festival Merit Award, 2003
- Metris Uptown Art Fair Finalist Award, 2003
- Promenade of Art, Arlington Heights, IL. Merit Award, 3-dimensional wood, 2003
- Sausalito Art Festival, Sausalito, California. Best of Show Award, wood, 2002.
- Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival, Best of Show Award, wood, 2002.
- Suburban Fine Arts Festival, Highland Park, IL. Best of Show Award, wood, 2002.
- Cantigney Art Festival, Wheaton, IL. Best of Show Award, wood, 2002.
- One of a Kind Show, Chicago, IL. Third Place Award, wood, 2001
- Arts and Riverwoods, Riverwoods, Illinois. Best of Fine Craft, 2001.
- Ann Arbor State Street Area Art Fair: Best of Show Award, 1999.
- Des Moines Art Festival, Des Moines, Iowa: Best of Show Award, 1998.
- Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Best of Show Award, 1997,1986.Honors Award – 2000, 1999, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1991, 1990, 1988.
- Prairie Village Art Fair, Kansas City, Missouri: Best of Show Award, 1997.
- National Clock Design Competition, Honorable Mention Award, 1996.
- Art Fair on the Square, Madison, Wisconsin. Invitational Award, 1994, 1990, 1989, 1987.
- Midwest Salute to the Masters, St. Louis, Missouri: Award of Merit, 1991.
- Greater St. Louis Art Association, St. Louis, Missouri: Award of Merit, 1990.
- College Hill Art Festival, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Award of Excellence, 1994, 1992, 1991, 1990.
Selected Commissions
- Coralville Public Library, Coralville. IA, donated wall sculpture, 2009
- Jefferson County Health Center, wall sculpture sponsored by Iowa State Bank, 2009.
- Marriot Hotel and Convention Center, Coralville, IA. Large wall sculpture, 2006
- American Poolplayers Association, corporate office, St. Louis, MO, entry table, 2004
- Best Buy corporate residence, Trump Tower, NYC, wall sculpture, 2003
- Wells Fargo corporate office, Minneapolis. Large wall sculpture, 2003
- Guild CEO Toni Sikes, NYC, commissioned furniture, 2002
- Hotel Pattee, Perry, Iowa. Two pieces for the "Woodworking Room", 2002.
- Swedish-American Hospital, Rockford, IL. Two wall sculptures, 2001.
- Washington County Hospital, Washington, Iowa. Wall sculpture, 2000.
- Gannett (USA Today) corporate offices, Minneapolis. Wall sculpture, 1999.
- Qwest corporate offices, Minneapolis. Wall sculpture, 1999.
- Born Information Services, Wayzata, MN. Large wall sculpture, 1997.
- US Bank, Iowa City, Iowa. Wall sculpture, 1997.
- Highlander Hotel, Iowa City, Iowa. Wall sculpture, 1997.
- University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Ten wall sculptures, Commons Bldg., 1995.
- Iowa Sisters States, Des Moines, Iowa. Three wall sculptures, International Center, Kofu, Japan. (Traveled to Japan to install and dedicate sculptures to Governor Amano and the people of Yamanashi, 1996).
Solo Exhibitions:
- Iowa State Bank, Iowa City, Iowa. Three month exhibit, 1997.
- First National Bank, Iowa City, Iowa. Seven week exhibit, 1997.
- Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, Three month exhibit, 1996-
- University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa. Four week exhibit, 1982.
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