I first got a look at Eitnier's work at the CLA show in 1998. What struck me then, and what I still find fairly striking, is how he is able to put forth something of the warmth and familiarity of the so-called "Woodbury School" without seeming to adhere to it nor copy anything contemporary for that matter. He truly seems to have 'his own thing' going on, and I like it very much. It's quite believable and the guns look old, which I personally think can be a tough thing to pull off - especially when not copying a particular piece or style.
When Robert Weil started collecting images for the Contemporary Makers book in 1973 the challenge to record contemporary gun work was daunting. Gathering material was difficult and time consuming. Few makers thought that there was any value in published documentation of their work. Electronic publishing has changed all that. Having a website or having one's work available to view on the internet is becoming a necessity. In spite of all the potential to finally have a true overview of what's being produced by the artists of today, a great deal of work still remains covered up and basically unknown. Our role is to make an effort to document some portion of what’s going on today. To comment on the established makers and to uncover the unknown. We welcome your comments and suggestions and look to you our readers to make us aware of the talented makers out there. Art and Jan Riser Robert Weil and The Makers
I first got a look at Eitnier's work at the CLA show in 1998. What struck me then, and what I still find fairly striking, is how he is able to put forth something of the warmth and familiarity of the so-called "Woodbury School" without seeming to adhere to it nor copy anything contemporary for that matter. He truly seems to have 'his own thing' going on, and I like it very much. It's quite believable and the guns look old, which I personally think can be a tough thing to pull off - especially when not copying a particular piece or style.
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