Each piece is shaped by the natural character of the materials, making every design completely unique. Traditionally when a carpenter begins to make a piece of furniture he or she will begin with their design and then make a cut list to carry out that design. Then they will collect the perfectly milled wood and cut it to fit their needs. The next step would be to construct the furniture exactly th
e way they had planned it. Andy and Aaron have completely redefined the way furniture is designed and built. Instead of going with the more traditional route of designing, and then getting the wood to fit the design, Andy and Aaron will first begin by going outside where they keep many various logs and slabs of wood. This is where the design process begins, completely led by the wood. They do not use wood to fit their design but let the wood design the piece. Once the wood is carefully picked for its unique qualities and personality, it is brought into the studio where it will sometimes sit for quite a while. Andy and Aaron will study the piece trying to visualize how to let out what is already there. Every knot, and what some may call “imperfection” in the wood is carefully considered. The next step is to find the stones that will perfectly fit the piece. Often the wood and stone are actually from the same location, furthering their unity. One signature of an Andy and Aaron Sanchez piece is their frequent use of the book match. This is possible for them because of their close relationship with their wood cutters who hand pick the wood, and then bring it out of the Gila National Forest for them. Alligator Juniper is the choice wood of Andy and Aaron. “We only use dead-standing (totally dead tree that is upright or fallen) wood for our furniture. The wood that is harvested for us has been dead for approximately 60 years or more. This ensures that it is well cured and stable.” The wood is not “green” but our process definitely is. Every piece is carried out of the mountains in order not to scar the forest floor by dragging logs across it. Andy and Aaron’s innovative approach to furniture design has been, copied by many other wood workers but Andy and his sons bring an artistic talent and originality which makes their work excel and increase in value year after year. Without the careful consideration of the wood and its personality it is impossible to create a work of art that is completely unified. It is only after understanding the wood it is possible to match it with its stones. It is easy to make nature work for us, but few will take the time to work with nature.
“It is not our intention to change what God has created to fit our needs, but rather to enjoy and appreciate what has already been provided for us in nature.” - Andy Sanchez Andy and Aaron's goal for their furniture is two-fold. Their desire is to create heirloom pieces that will last for generations, and to artistically display the beauty within nature, preserving the natural beauty of the wood, and causing the spirit within man to be in awe of God’s creation.
