Keith Manning
Wood
About the Artist
Having been raised in the majestic Sierra Nevada near Yosemite, Keith learned at an early age an appreciation of nature. During many early camping and fishing trips with family and friends he was often looking for an organized way of doing things, the tent had to be placed at the right location, the cooking needed to take place at the right time and place. One of his first creations was a special creel for keeping the fish fresh. When he was allowed to work with tools, he built a wooden box for storing his toys.
After schooling, life took a drastic change in location and lifestyle when he moved to Europe, specifically Germany, where he would spend the next 28 years. Having been a great fan of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, he was now able to experience many of the architecture and artwork of the “Old Countries”. His travels took him to 27 different countries, each with their influences from their histories. Once in a visit to southern Turkey, he wanted to put back together the ruins that time had taken on the magnificent architecture.
Raising a family with four children, he was often faced with challenging design and building ideas, a special cart for one of the girls, a bunkbed with drawers and so on. Most of his occupation was working with his hands, and utilizing different tools in the process.
Returning again to the California foothills, he took over the family construction business. As families often do, however, he was motivated to stay close to children and moved to Oregon, and lived on the coast. This was another great change, being able to experience the great Pacific coast on a daily basis. Enjoying working with his hands and tools, he renovated homes, built cabinetry, and designed living spaces.
His appreciation evolved from the classical influences of Europe to more contemporary lines of modern architecture and design. A deep appreciation for natural wood tones and grains led him to the useful box designs he now enjoys making. Still having a deep appreciation for nature guides him in creating the 3D intarsia, an adaption of early marketry.
Artist Statement
It gives me great satisfaction when someone says that’s beautiful about one of my creations, for this I strive. Even greater is the pleasure laughter of a child when seeing one.