Subject: Using Milk Paint Presenter: Doug Jones, SFCC Assistant Professor and Program Head of Fine Woodworking. Doug also operates a furniture studio, Random Orbit, in Los Lunas, New Mexico.
Milk paint is an earth-friendly paint that can be used in many different ways to enhance wood surfaces. Its exceptional adherence, variegated appearance, and mellow colors work well in combination with natural wood, as well as highlighting textural surfaces. In the first part of his talk, Doug will show images of his furniture and turned work that feature milk painted elements. The second part of his presentation will feature a short demo showing how to use milk paint and a discussion of samples.
Don’t know Doug? Doug was born and raised in the Washington, DC area, and was the youngest of 3 boys. He didn’t get much formal training in the visual arts until later in life. His family encouraged academic excellence, but also ensured that he had a strong connection with the natural world through camping, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities. Of course it was also great living near the Smithsonian museums and other museums in the DC area. After graduating from college with a liberal arts degree, Doug wasn’t sure what direction to take next. He spent a year in the mountains of Vermont on a work crew that helped maintain the facilities of a summer camp. One of the first projects was to build new rowboats using one of the dilapidated boats as a model. At first all of the staff was intimidated by the project, feeling that they didn’t have the skills or tools needed to complete the task. However, they took apart the rotted boat and set about replicating each of the parts as best they could. To their surprise, they were able to build several new boats (still floating a couple of years later when Doug returned). The experience really made Doug hungry to learn more about working with wood, tools, and the ingenuity of design. Doug thinks that he rediscovered something about himself that was missing from his formal education up to that point. Eventually he went to Rhode Island School of Design where he got a Master’s Degree in Furniture Design. He moved to New Mexico in 2006 to join the faculty of Santa Fe Community College in Fine Woodworking. He is currently Assistant Professor and Program Head there and operates a furniture studio, Random Orbit, in Los Lunas, New Mexico. He still enjoys spending time out in nature, gardening and hiking.
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