Edward's work is known for its masterful design, seamless joinery and liquid-smooth finish. He has designed a variety of limited-production pieces including blanket chests, stools, benches and coffee tables and an extensive line of bird's-eye maple cutting boards, which are sold in shops and galleries worldwide.

I make things of wood that I'd like to have myself: functional pieces that are quiet, peaceful, and a pleasure to touch and look at. My approach emphasizes select materials, structural integrity and utility. I like to let the wood do the work — to coax nature to imitate art.

With his family, Edward has made his home and workplace among the pastoral hills and valleys of southwestern Wisconsin.

I have always wanted to live and work in a quiet, beautiful, open place. With the help and support of my wife and business partner Ann, and a goodly amount of luck, we've found that place. If people see beauty in my furniture, it may be because I find beauty in my everyday surroundings.

Edward's Background

Master woodworker and designer Edward Wohl graduated from Washington University in 1967 with a BS degree in Architecture. He has been designing and building graceful wood furniture since 1970.

Although being greatly influenced by a summer spent in the home and workshop of California woodworker Sam Maloof, Edward points to long-time friend and industrial designer Bill Stumpf as his primary source of learning and encouragement. "We became close friends in school, and later I worked for Bill, making models and prototypes. I greatly admire Bill and his work, and continue to learn from him to this day."

A Mission Statement, of sorts

I disguise trees.

Fellers trundle them in

slabs, and stack them

crosswise in a darkened waiting room.

I fret and pace: which are the ready

candidates? What shape and function

will console the Cherry, cut forever from

its fruitful reign?

What would the Burr Oak now become,

having been protector and provider for grey

squirrels of distinguished lineage

for (count the rings) so many generations?

Maybe this—no, rather; that—I grieve

Until you call and say you need

a place to sit, to store your Sunday suits

or hold your pots and pans or treasures.

You free my mind so hand and eye can

go to work. The wood and I conspire;

we have to please all three of us. Success

means we all live a little longer.

John Ingham, written for Edward Wohl

Observations by another artist

Edward

Through the years I have acquired

all the tools necessary,

though not all I'd like,

and many of the skills to produce

fine things from wood.

I gather them around me,

tools and skills alike,

a museum to the possible.

Every piece designed and executed

demonstrates some flaws

reflecting my impatience to be done.

A craftsman and an artist,

my friend Ed is never through

until his pieces are so perfect

that they look like fairy's work.

So, standing in my shop,

fire snapping, tools in place,

ready to begin a project,

I let the ease of mind approach,

seek the harmony needed for good work,

and say aloud to my little congregation

the morning prayer,

"Fuck you, Ed Wohl."

Nick Hammer