Alan Peck
Alan Peck is an inspired wood turner, art director, teacher and professional in every sense of the word. Designing and building encompasses almost every aspect of his life. A Senior Graphic Designer for Young Living, former Art Director for Adobe, and former Advisory Board Member for Craft Lake City, Peck has put down deep roots in the design community. Peck began his relationship with Craft Lake City as a vendor, and went on to chair the Artisan and Mentor Scholarship Committee, which benefits underrepresented members of the community.
Aside from his impressive career as an Art Director, Peck creates beautiful turned bowls, peppermills and sculptures in his shop in Midvale, Utah. He also regularly teaches these skills out of his personal shop and at Woodcraft SLC. Most recently, Peck joined the board for the Utah Design Exhibit, where he spearheaded the Portrait of an Artisan project in conjunction with Luminaria SLC.
What kind of maker are you? (please include ALL mediums in which you create your art/craft)?
Wood Turning (decorative & utilitarian pieces), Painting, and Film Photography.
When did you start designing and/or building?
I've always been interested in designing and building. I didn't really find a focus for this until Junior High school, where I started drawing a lot of goofy cartoons (mostly to get attention) and enrolled in my first wood shop class. I continued both pursuits all the way through high school and beyond. Honestly, my biggest inspiration at that point was Mad Magazine and looking at album covers in record stores. As far as woodworking went, I had no idea people like Sam Maloof, Frank Klausz, James Krenov, or the Eames brothers even existed. I didn't even touch a lathe until I was in my mid 40's.
What inspired you to start making?
I had access to drawing and painting supplies at a very early age and can’t remember a time I wasn’t drawing on an almost a daily basis. My earliest memory of building something was making a little cabin by gluing small rocks into walls and making the roof out of twigs.
What is the most engaging part of building for you? What do you enjoy most? What do you enjoy least?
I really love the process of turning a bowl. It's a lot more involved than you might imagine, starting with a tree and a chainsaw, several varied steps in between, and ending with beeswax and oil. I particularly enjoy the part where the form I'm trying to release really starts to take shape. I don't enjoy finding old nails or pieces of metal fencing inside the wood.
When do you feel most inspired?
I'm easy. I just have to think about making something and I get inspired and excited. I'll often stand in my shop and stare at the machines and the big wooden blanks in plastic bags until I can barely contain it.
Where do you want to take your building and designing skills? What do you hope to learn and do with your career?
Sometimes I think about what the perfect bowl would be, then I remember that perfection and control are illusions. Instead, I really strive to refine my process. Can I be more efficient? Can I make a precise cut? Can I create balance and harmony in my forms? Can I teach this skill to others? These are the things I strive to be better at. Teaching in particular has provided a great deal of depth to my journey and in turn, is teaching me in ways I hadn't considered before.
Since my woodturning is a side hustle, I have the luxury of not relying on it to feed my family. That doesn't mean I don't have big goals that keep me up at night. The biggest of which is building a larger online presence that is both meaningful and effective.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a custom builder and designer?
Currently my biggest challenge is keeping up with demand and preparing for a larger market. The logistics of scale is definitely a huge challenge.
What are some pieces that you’ve made that you are the most proud of?
There was a tall natural edge form I made out of Box Elder burl that a well known professional woodturner said some nice things about. It’s validating to hear that from someone who’s work is aspirational. The other is a small natural edge bowl I made out of Osage Orange where a twig became part of the rim. Pure luck, but I was really happy with it.
What is your favorite tool/instrument/toy right now?
It's hard to beat a freshly sharpened edge. Whether on a hand plane, bowl gouge, or chain for the saw.
Favorite design style?
Anything that shows thoughtfulness and skill. I always appreciate it when the maker can elevate the material or show me something delightful or interesting. I am not a fan of overly ornamental things.
Favorite thing to listen to while you work?
Usually this is music. Lately it's been Arcade Fire and My Morning Jacket. I also listen to a lot of KRCL on the radio.
Favorite outfit/footwear to wear to work?
Depends on the activity. When I'm harvesting wood it's steel-toed boots. Most of the time in the shop I'm wearing Blunderstone boots. If it's warm enough and I'm doing a lot of sanding, I'll wear flip flops.
Favorite post-work activity to unwind?
A bike ride around the neighborhood is always enjoyable. Even better if I can convince my kids to join me. It's also hard to beat a cold beer on the porch.
Favorite food?
Indian and/or Sushi
Favorite band?
That’s way too hard to answer. The best I can provide is my favorite album: Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Interestingly, my favorite Floyd song is Shine on You Crazy Diamond.
Favorite place you’ve traveled?
Hands down, Galapagos.
Place you want to travel to most and why?
The pandemic forced me to cancel a fly fishing trip to Patagonia. I desperately want to make this happen.
If you could collaborate with one maker/artist (living or dead) who would it be?
John Brown, a Welsh chair maker. His forms are exquisitely beautiful in their deceptive simplicity. Chairs have always fascinated me and I'd love to go back in time for a year and build with him.
Where can people contact you and find out more about you?
alanpeck@gmail.com and @MenacingTourist on Instagram
