In March of 2001 I read an excellent article about Paul Schurch in Wood Magazine titled “The Marquetry Magic of Paul Schurch”. I visited with him at his first Santa Barbara studio back in April of 2003 and met him again at the Philadelphia Furniture and Furnishings show a couple of years later. We’ve kept in touch and he’s always working on interesting projects; I just haven’t had the time to introduce him on Inlay-Arts.com/Blog. Here he is:

Paul Schurch

Paul Schurch Joins Inlay-Arts.com as a Charter Artist

I’m delighted to announce that Paul Schurch has agreed to be one of the Inlay-Arts top 40 Charter Artists.

[Paul Schurch will be sending me high res images of his portfolio when he returns later this month. For this first post I'll present a few details from his fine furniture pieces. You'll find more images of Paul Schurch's portfolio in the Inlay-Arts.com/Gallery section - KD]

Ribbon Bureau by Paul Schurch - Detail

My wife Christine and I recently drove down the California coast from San Francisco to Pasadena. We stopped in San Simeon to visit  Julia Morgan’s extraordinary project “La Cuesta Encantada” (aka Hearst Castle), commissioned by William Randolph Hearst . We then drove down to Santa Barbara where I had arranged to meet with Paul Schurch at his new studio.

"Rosie" - Paul Schurch - Detail

He had just returned from the Design in Wood show, where he gave a presentation for the San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association. After we met he left for one of his biannual teaching engagements at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking, this was followed by several other teaching engagements, including one in Hawai’i and one at the William Ng Woodworking School.

Grapevine Table with Inlaid Hardwoods and Stone

"Pietra Dura" Inlay - Detail

Marquetry of Berries - Detail from "Flowerberry" Table and Chairs

Flowerberry Table and Chairs A round three-leaf extension Dinning table with 16 matching chairs (each with different motif). Pacific blackberry motif including inlaid ladybugs, frogs, butterflies and opal flower buds. Wood: Mahogany frame, Laurel and Walnut burl background. Assorted exotic woods. Stone: Marble, Turquoise, Bloodstone and Opals.

Marquetry by Paul Schurch - Detail

Sorghum Setee - Walnut framed setee with marquetry inlay depicting a sorghum crop circle. Designed to emphasize environmentally sustainable use of wood, glues and finishes. Wood: Reclaimed Urban Claro walnut, Poplar, Maple and Sorghum Board Cushions: Silk

Inlay with Hardwoods and Stone, Including Opal