The Steltman Chair 100% Reclaimed Wood. Variation on design by G. Rietveld.

More On G. Rietveld at Wikipedia
At Artsy.net

The Oceanus Table. The "Persistent Environmental Excellence Award" No.1

A simple act of giving to reward giving. Pass it on.

The "Persistent Environmental Excellence Award" is given to a person, or organization for their hard work and tireless environmental effort in their community. Often their work goes beyond local outreach, impacting a global audience. For their dedication, Michael Yonke, a celebrated eco-designer, awards them a handmade one-of-a-kind work. Michael utilizes reclaimed wood and metal materials of unique beauty and quality cast aside by society to create stunning eco-art and furniture. His works embody an energetic intensity from the creation process and meticulous effort. Michael shares these same qualities and transformative powers with the environmentalists he awards. His Functional Art is an award to be lived with, a simple way to say thank you, and one that will last generations. The 1st award recipient is Sara Bayles of The Daily Ocean. Sara has collected over 1300 pounds of beach trash off her local beach. She just finished her 365 non-consecutive day goal. Sara photographs, weighs and writes about her beach cleanups at thedailyocean.blogspot.com. Her photographs become powerful art that inspires, and educates. She’s inspired others world-wide and has shown us how one small section of beach is a snap shot of a global issue effecting coasts everywhere. Thank you Sara Bayles and The Daily Ocean.

Recommendations for future awards are welcome.

Design notes : Oceanus -i m.Latin. [the ocean , the sea which encompasses the earth]; personif., [the father of the Nymphs]

The Diversion Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table.

Mahogany Coffee Table. Interesting. Inspiring. 100% Reclaimed.

Wonderful shape and classic iridescent ribbon wood grain. Rich deep color is the natural aging wood patina from 2 year open air treatment. Clear finish.
Materials : Reclaimed and repurposed tropical forest true mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla, Honduras mahogany).
Dimensions : 45.5 x 25.75 x 18 in. (115.57 x 65.41 x 45.72 cm.)
Available for purchase. upcycler.etsy.com

Agave Wood Surfboard Table. Elliptical.

Surfing shape craft and interior design merge. 100% agave wood. Black pigments.
Private commission. 7'7" x 22" x 2".


Watch The Creation Video Short By S. Malik

The agave surfboard below came first and inspired the table with contrasting black elements.

Reclaimed Wood Wall Sculpture. Eco Art: The Fibonacci Series

Title : "Contendo". Contrast and Light. Wall sculpture.
Geometric forms. Fibonacci series creating order. The golden ratio.
Exploring reclaimed origins. Black and white. Reclaimed wood art.
Repurposed old growth wood on reclaimed low mass hollow core wood composites.
29.75 x 29.75 x 2.5 in. * 75.57 x 75.57 x 6.35 cm.

Former museum display:
Tuesday, August 25 through Saturday, September 26, 2009.
The Atrium Gallery at Ball State University group art show, "Reclaim, Reuse, Renew".
2000 W. University Ave. Muncie, IN 47306

Title : Ergo Vinum."Therefore Wine". Wall sculpture (image below).
Repurposed old growth wood on reclaimed low mass hollow core wood composites.
23.5 x 23.5 x 2 in. * 59.69 x 59.69 x 5.08 cm.
Available for purchase here (click)

Former museum display:
Tuesday, August 25 through Saturday, September 26, 2009.
The Atrium Gallery at Ball State University group art show, "Reclaim, Reuse, Renew".
2000 W. University Ave. Muncie, IN 47306
January 11- March 29,2009
"Progress And Ideals. 21st Century Arts & Crafts"
Muckenthaler Museum. Fullerton, CA

Title : "Natural Elements". Wall sculpture.
Repurposed old growth wood on reclaimed low mass hollow core wood composites.
23.5 x 23.5 x 2 in. * 59.69 x 59.69 x 5.08 cm.

Title : "Contrast and Light No.2". Eco-modern-art wall sculpture.
Repurposed old growth wood on reclaimed birch plywood. Black meets white meets contrast meets 3D.
Fibonacci series at play. 20.5 x 20.5 x 1.5 in. * 52.07 x 52.07 x 3.81 cm.
Available for purchase

The Praecius Table. Upcycling of Reclaimed Materials.

The Praecius table is based on precise design by strictly conforming to natural pattern. The set of concentric black and white squares conform to a 1.0 Fibonacci series found in nature like the petal structure of flowers and the spirals of galaxies. This natural balance is relaxing and pleasing to the eye. Matching conference, dining and end tables available.

Available for purchase. upcycler.etsy.com

Materials : Reclaimed and upcycled wood. Repurposed composite materials. Black, white and clear lacquer.
Dimensions : 32 x 32 x 19 in. (81.28 x 81.28 x 48.26 cm.)




Design comments : To demonstrate the use of reclaimed modern composite wood materials, the Praecius table design uses a reclaimed solid core composite wood Masonite door for the top and a reclaimed wood table base from well made reclaimed consumer furniture. As a note to other designers, I recommend sourcing used furniture for its component parts such as legs and bases and design up from there. Newly constructed legs and bases take time to design and use additional resources to fabricate.



An alternative view and reclaimed steel base.

Upcycled Design Images : The Details Close Up

Within all my designs the emphasis is on the details to enhance the natural beauty of all materials. Rich and unique, deep and translucent finishes are the essential quality of these works of furniture and functional eco-art and wall sculpture. Designs that honor the past of these reclaimed wood materials harvested generations ago by creating new stimulating objects to value. A visual statement on new possibilities and opportunity from what should never have been discarded. Explore this site further to see the corresponding works.

Vinum A: Rustic



Vinum B : The Vineyard



Veritas: The Wine



Nara : Pushing the Envelope



Contendo : Modern Contrast



Natural Contrast