Monkwood

Certainly Uncertain// When the rug gets pulled out from under us it reveals what kind of floor we've been standing on this whole time, offering us the opportunity to repair or reinforce our foundations, before we eventually find another cover for them. Alot of money and securities can be lost in this process, but real internal restoration costs us nothing, it only requires that we pay attention. // Do you remember where your head was at in the very beginning of this new decad...e? Many of us were looking forward with '2020 clarity' - making plans and hanging hopes on hooks that don't seem hold much weight anymore. Was it all in vain? Or was something at work within us, preparing our minds for all the predictable unknowns we forgot to consider. It still takes as much faith to sit down on any given chair as it does to hope and pray that things get better - and then do something about it. It's a different kind of faith, but like a chair, it still requires our active belief to test and enjoy its strength. // Some of us are finding out we are better equipped for this unexpected reality shift than we dare to acknowledge. It's not the kind of material readiness our comfort conscious selves would have preferred. Like it or not, the future has always been a mystery, we're just reawakening from the cloudy daydream that it wasn't. // Press rewind in your mind and playback some of those grounding thoughts and themes that were on repeat inside of you before our illusions of certainty got collectivley cancelled. These provoking insights were working on you for this time and beyond. I believe the Spirit speaks to all who give a listen. Up to the minute news, by it's very nature, can only tell you so much. It's the everlasting things that will be with you now and waiting for you on the otherside of this season. I realize our current global crisis is totally unprecedented, however, history is made of former situations that were once unprecedented. // Now that you're stuck at home without that same old comfortable rug of certainty to sprawl out on, seize this rare moment in time to discover what your foundation is truly made of. May it be strong, faithful and ready for the future... See more

Dear Clients - present, past and future... I hope your are all staying safe and sane in these strange times. Due to the California shelter in place announcement, my work timelines and shipping will be affected. I will continue to do what I am able to do under the current restrictions while aiming to remain healthy for my family and neighbors’ sake. Just know, that I plan to deliver you my best work and will be in touch directly as things progress. I value your trust and inves...tment more than I can even try to describe here! // To my past clients, I am thinking of you all and so grateful for the many timely connections made over the years. Your patronage has provided for my family and given me the ability to do what I love. While spending time at home, if you have any questions regarding the wood care of your piece or just want to chat with another creative soul, please don’t hesitate to reach out in any way. Whether you own a desk, dining table or even one of my weird early nightstands, I hope it‘s serving you well and a comfort of sorts in times like this. // To my future clients, I am thinking of what you may need as well. Over the last year, I have been designing new pieces that will be affordable to more people. I had planned to focus on dining and coffee tables for the second half of 2020, not knowing how much more it would mean to gather together with those you love at that time. I will continue to make #studiodesk’s while also branching out in new artistic directions as long as I am given the time and space to create here on this planet. My awesome apprentices will soon be helping me make more cool new things once they are allowed back in the shop! // Best hopes and sincere prayers to you all out there trying to make sense of this moment were in. Don’t be afraid of the future. Life is a gift no matter what form it takes. Ghosts are still jealous of us all. Stay safe and sane everyone! Monk // Awesomely hilarious prototype T-shirt designed by apprentice @noah.photo at his college silk screen class. It utilizes the #ultramullet portrait taken of me by @ambernoeldesign. Maybe this will be one of those new designs coming soon...?

So stoked to share this very special project with musician and @youtube sensation @sanjayc. (video link in profile) // Sanjay and his wife @only1dharti flew out to visit me in my shop early last summer to get a feel for the thought process that goes into my #studiodesk's. They also came to see their completed desk while in town for the Nammshow in Jan. Sanjay and Dharti are truly inspiring people to work with and I get fired up about possibilities every time I talk with them.... They have become much more than clients, were are now colleagues and friends discovering what happens when you let your creativity take your life for an unexpected ride... // Sanjay will be releasing Part 2 of the video which will show how he set up his desk. It is incredible! I highly advise subscribing. It's not just about the gear, it's about inspiring people around the world to #makethemusicyoulove with whatever you have right now! https://youtu.be/Opg9p1SwXMs

Getting closer and closer to a #monkwood #timemachine. Maybe this next decade will see it realized. I believe time travel will eventually be achieved through strategically placed sound-waves in an acoustically controlled environment. A time machine must also look cool or you’re gonna seem hella lame to the next dimension... // Thanks to @noahiprince and my boy's for helping to get this walnut SR45 #rackgear #cabdesk assembled and ready for Los Angeles based #composer @ptonypterodactyl. Photos by @cinema.prince @ The 4th Dimension

After tinkering on it in the background for over 2 years, I finally brought the family desk home. Happy Christmas everyone!

In the final episode of this decade we wrap up the themes we've been sharing within a musically inspired concept called the Funk Box. We hope it helps and encourages you to try new and simple things with what you already know rather than trying to do everything with all the things you don't know. Either way, we hope you have a creative and adventurous decade ahead. We look forward to sharing more simple secrets of life and art with you in Season 2 of #MonkwoodAcademy... // Starting Vince / Shot by @cinema.prince / Music by Dee Yan-Key and @philipemorris / directed by Monk