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When searching for the right furniture we always aim
at finding something different and unique, especially if it is for a
room of our precious ones. Any kid would love to have a room full of
animated characters around him wardrobes, shelves and tables can’t be
the outcast. Judson Beaumont from Vancouver, Canada has been the
furniture craftsman for the past 25 years and has developed a very
outstanding style; his creations look like they just ran away from a
Disney movie – there are pieces inspired by Mickey Mouse and his
friends, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland and many others. Who
can resist to decorate his child’s life with a fairy tale! Judson
Beaumont was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1960. He came to
Vancouver, BC to study art at Capilano College, completing his studies
at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. He graduated from their
3-D department in 1985 and that same year founded Straight Line Designs
Inc., creating one-of-a-kind furniture pieces and commissions.
"When I was young, I used to think that in order to design and build
anything; one had to get a set of instructions from a book or a
magazine. I always assumed that someone else had to come up with the
ideas and then you were supposed to build it that way.
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“I guess that is why most furniture looks the way it does." Mr. Beaumont
continues, "In my first sculpture class in Art School I learned quite
the opposite. I asked my instructor what it was that I should make, and
his response was to do whatever I wanted. It did not matter whether it
was a good or a bad idea; it was important to just try and do something
different. Art school was a good influence; it made me look at things
differently."
Judson continues, "From that day on I never looked at building the same.
I had a new focus: to design and build differently. I started with
minimalist shapes that slowly transformed into functional furniture. My
early furniture pieces were simple in form and shape for I was not a
good builder. The more confident I became, the more unusual my ideas
became."
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"My rule is: if you can draw and design it, you can build it. I love it
when someone tells me that, 'You cannot build that' or 'No one would
want that'. These words only encourage me more."
With passion for 'something different', Judson is always searching for
new ways to make people question the objects around them. The challenge
is to design pieces that are new, inspiring and always highly
functional. "A person must dare to drift away from the tried and true in
order to give a piece energy and interest. Be influenced and inspired by
the norm, and then challenge it, change it, melt it, stretch it, alter
it for the better" says Judson.
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Judson has always striven to push the limits, try different things. He
questions everything and takes it to the next level through
functionality or bending the rules. Taking a different path with
something that has been done over and over again, Judson incorporates a
sense of uniqueness to his designs; proving that anything is possible
and that ideas are limitless. |
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Judson has donated many pieces to charitable organizations including
Arts Umbrella, the Vancouver Art Gallery, BC Guide Dog Services, AIDS
Vancouver and BC Children's Hospital. In addition to his donations,
Judson takes time out of work to give talks and slideshow presentations
to students of all ages as well as design professionals. He is an active
member of BC Wood, Woodlinks and the Furniture Society and a regular
speaker at woodworking related workshops at BCIT.
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