Welcome back to another installment of our ongoing series Profiles In Pictures, where photographer Sara Kerens gives us another look inside the world of a local Dallas creative individual.
This time around, we're invited into the home and workshop of one Tony Barsotti. You may know the name from his past life fame as the drummer of seminal Dallas pop-punk outfit Hagfish. These days, Barsotti is wielding wood in different creative ways. In fact, you've already seen some of his work on the cover of our Best Of Dallas® 2009 glossy edition. Take a look at what he's rockin' lately and hear what he has to say about it.
Who are you, what do you do, who do you do it for, and where do you do it?
I am Tony Barsotti. I design and construct custom furniture, sets, props, cabinets and prototypes for retail, residential, and other designers. So far I'm lucky enough to do all my work and research in a small efficient shop that's attached to my house close to White Rock Lake.
What do you find the most satisfying about what you do, and why?
Every project I do (including my own) is always different and sometimes scary. They all have their own unique obstacles and surprises that come along. So when a project makes it from a sketch to fruition, and it turns out nice, that's ALWAYS a great feeling!
What is your favorite tool/special resource that allows you to do what you do?
My favorite tool is my one-year-old CNC Router. That thing is so awesome! It allows me to produce any cut or carving, precisely & repeatedly through a CAD/CAM system. It brought the process of designing, fabricating and prototyping up many levels for me.
What do you enjoy the most to do when you're not creating/working?
I like to check out other people's studios and shops, hang out with friends, watch an unlimited amount of documentaries, and occasionally play music.
If you could snap your fingers and immediately possess the knowledge/skills of an entirely different discipline, what would that be, and why?
To be honest, when Sara came to my house and took photos for this blog it dawned on me how fun it would be to go to a stranger's environment and piece their story together through a lens. Seems like creative and spontaneous craft. So now a portable, traveling photographer is higher on the list of knowledge and skill set then something I would have fantasized about a month ago. I hope it doesn't distract me.
