Joshua Fyhr, 39, says his father, Philip Fyhr, a master carpenter, gave him his first appreciation for woodworking, when he was just 3 years old.
“I watched my dad build our first home in Wellfleet, adjacent to the Audubon bird sanctuary and I would try to mimic him with my toy wood set,” said Fyhr, the owner of Joshua Tree Woodcraft in Easthampton.
When Fyhr was in his 20s, he worked for Steinitz Antiques in New York and Paris, coordinating their antique shows in Paris, London, Moscow, Palm Beach and San Francisco. It was there, he says, that he learned to appreciate the decorative arts from the 17th and 18th centuries.
After settling in the Pioneer Valley seven years ago, he decided to take the skills he had gathered from his father and the Steinitz family to create keepsake boxes, jewelry boxes, humidors and tables. He uses exotic woods such as birdseye maple, African padauk and ebony.
“I believe that a piece should stand the test of time, both in structure and enduring design,” he said.
Hampshire Life: What is your creative process like?
Joshua Fyhr: My creative process varies, but the majority of my designs come to me out of the blue and through trial and error I try to perfect them over time. My pieces are unique and one of a kind. I like to experiment with dozens of imported woods, stains and fasteners to create something special.
H.L.: How do you know you’re on the right track?
J.F.: My family members are my best critics and are always there to give me their feedback.
H.L.: What do you do when you get stuck?
J.F.: If I’m having difficulty with a certain project, I like to take a long bike ride on the Manhan Trail, which helps me focus and get a new perspective.
H.L.: How do you know when the work is done?
J.F.: Quite honestly, I don’t know if a piece of art is ever done. When you’ve worked with a piece for a while, you can always see things that can be improved. Sometimes it can be difficult to give my final approval.
H.L.: What did you do recently that relates to your art?
J.F.: Lately, I’ve been collecting antique doorknobs and hardware to incorporate into my new projects.
— Kathleen Mellen
Joshua Fyhr’s work can be found at the Nash Gallery in Easthampton and the Happy Valley Gift Shop in Northampton.
He will be selling his work Aug. 6 at the “Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival” in Springfield’s Court Square. (www.springfieldjazzfest.com).
For more information about Fyhr, visit www.joshuatreewoodcraft.com.