Quick Takes With: Vince Skelly

Have you seen Vince Skelly’s work? His sculptural, chunky wood forms are reminiscent of a modern day Wharton Esherick or JB Blunk. It’s no wonder Vince calls his design style “Flinstones.”

The Claremont, California-based artist carves each stool, chair, or object from a single block of wood using chainsaws and hand tools, following “the grain, patterns, knots, and other characteristics” to find the form within. Just a few of his references: “various traditions of wood carving, both ancient and modern; megalithic dolmens, ancient figurines, the sculptures of Brancusi, and the figures found in the paintings of Phillip Guston.”

Today Vince writes in with a podcast recc, favorite book shop, and what might be the most surprising unpopular design opinion we’ve gotten yet.

P.S. If you’re in LA, catch Vince’s work in “Material Curiosity by Design: Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman”at Craft Contemporary, opening November 15. “It’s a group exhibition that places the pioneering midcentury designs of the Ackermans in dialogue with contemporary artists, including myself,” Vince writes.

Above: Vince’s “After the Storm” exhibit at Tiwa Select in LA. Photograph by Justin Chung.

What’s on your bedside table?

Listening to Stone: The Art and Life of Isamu Noguchi

What’s your desert island design/art/architecture-related book?

Handcrafted Modern: At Home with Mid-century Designers by Leslie Williamson

What podcast or playlist do you put on when you need inspiration?

Middlebrow Podcast

What’s a film or TV show whose aesthetic has stuck with you?

Twin Peaks

Above: Chair by Vince.

Which Instagram account do you go to for design inspiration?

@ckhayman2, @as.tu.deja.oublie.1950.70, & @thebodyofarchitecture

What has been your best house upgrade?

A garden

A simple or budget-friendly design move you wish you’d known sooner?

Vintage + handmade assorted pillows on Etsy

My favorite sheets are…

…fresh from the dryer

Above: Chess board by Vince Skelly.

My unpopular design opinion is…

Coasters bad. Drink rings good.

Your design pet peeve?

Performative coffee table books

My go-to kitchen utensil is…

Fish spatula

Three words that describe my design style:

Natural, chunky, Flintstones.

First design love?

Stickley rocking chairs

Above: Vince and his work.

What item from your closet do you have on repeat?

Evan Kinori Three Pocket Jacket

Favorite design shop to visit (online or in person)?

William Stout Architectural Books

I don’t leave the house without…

My skateboard

Anything else you’d like us to know?

I’m excited about the recent release of my first chess set, a natural extension of my sculptural practice and lifelong love of the game. I approached the project much like I would my large-scale wood totems: starting with hand-carved pieces made from felled redwood, then casting the 32 forms in solid bronze, finished in either raw or dark patina in partnership with a local foundry. The walnut board functions both as a playing surface and a wall-mounted display shelf. And I visit Remodelista whenever I’m ready to refresh a space in my home—especially for inspiration on color palettes and materials.

Thanks so much, Vince! Follow his work @vince.skelly and www.vinceskelly.com. Featured photograph by Fred Aartun.