Sam Maloof - Woodworker

Review by Mark Gazella – August 2007

While the title defines Mr. Maloof's autobiographical work from 1983, my intent is not really to describe a book this month. I happened upon several sources recently that guided my choice of subject; a PBS special, a book, and several periodicals and websites. I could have written specifically about his furniture, but there are already volumes of information about that. I feared my feeble attempt would come off trite, and thought it better to direct attention to Mr. Maloof himself. So, I thought I'd write a bit of a profile about this incredible man.

Born Samuel Maloof in 1916 to parents of Lebanese descent, Sam knew at an early age he was drawn to creative processes. As a youngster, he used to fashion and form all sorts of toys to play with. After high school, he entered and subsequently won a poster contest, which led to work as a graphic artist. However, he felt stifled by work in only two dimensions. Was drafted during WWII and quickly promoted to Master Sergeant, due in part to an extraordinary ability as a draftsman. Spent time at stations in California, the Aleutian Islands, and Alaska, which augmented his affinity for all things natural. After his stint in the army, he decided he never wanted such a regimented lifestyle again, which compelled him to pursue self-employment as a woodworker.

Sam met his first wife Freda shortly after his discharge, and it was love at first site. He continues to say she was the heart & soul of what he did. She nurtured his venture into self-reliance, yet kept him grounded. His first-ever submission to a juried show was rejected, and Freda simply said "Sam, rejection is good for the ego", which he never forgot. Together they bought a two-acre piece of land in Alta Loma CA, in the midst of a lemon grove. Over the years Sam built his house, filled it with his own furniture, then expanded the structure a room at a time, all by eye. Inspectors were quick to challenge his proposals, until they arrived on site and saw what he had created. They were awed by his accomplishments, and always granted permits. His reverence for material shown in every detail, from stairways to support beams to entry doors. Door latches were a special treat for him - he made one for each door in the house, and all are unique. He now has an entire foundation to his credit. The Maloof domicile was threatened by a highway project several years ago, so it was disassembled and rebuilt miles away for posterity. His home is now a museum (the Maloof Historic Residence), a denouement that reflects a lifetime of ambition and talent.

About a month ago I had the pleasure of viewing a three-part PBS series entitled "Craft in America". The first hour contained segments that focused on several artisans; woodworkers, basket weavers, blacksmiths, etc. The woodworking portion prominently featured Sam. Though ninety years of age, he still works in his shop each day. He insists he is a woodworker - not a craftsman, and he's been a woodworker for over 60 years! His approach to building furniture has always been to trust his eye, and deliberately eschews standard dimensions, measurements, etc. He does everything to order, with a focus on beauty and comfort. If a chair invites you to sit, he's done his job. It's no wonder his product bears a namesake. Chairs, rockers, music stands...all wonderful pieces, all easily recognized as "the Maloof style". Incidentally, there is a multi-year waiting list for his furniture, and it's not uncommon for him to receive requests from second- and third-generation clients.

For Sam, wood is a sensuous, expressive material. He is enthralled by the beauty of figured walnut, cherry, and maple. He looks for stock with a personality, preferring flat-sawn stock over quartered wood. Sam believes a communion exists between an artist and his material, which ultimately results in a Triune between maker, material, and owner. As he put it, "…the miracle of skill transcends to God, the Master Craftsman..". In his mind, our hands equate to His tools. We should all take such a hallowed approach to what we do. He is truly inspirational.

The last group of reference material I used to gather notes for this profile came from Woodcraft magazine, as well as several websites. I quickly flipped through the most recent issue of the magazine at our last general meeting. I don't quite remember the entire content, but I believe it featured something about his scholarship fund that he and late wife Freda established especially for female artists. (Side note - Freda passed away in 1998. Sam remarried several years ago, and his current wife Beverly is equally supportive). An issue from last year also features an article on Mr. Maloof - another brief, albeit interesting read.

I can't stress enough how much is on the internet about Sam Maloof. You owe it to yourself to check out some websites. You can easily find great pictures of his furniture, the museum, and plans for future expansion including a facility for lectures and symposiums. Some sites feature his accomplishments and awards over the years. I lost count, but it's somewhere in the dozens, awarded over decades.

It's hard to sum up the accomplishments of a man like Sam in several paragraphs. I reread this article many times, reworking paragraphs, rephrasing sentences, etc., yet it still seems inadequate relative to what he's done with his life. His work is atemporal, and will surely be enjoyed by generations to come.

His autobiography is great. Not only a wealth of information about how to craft beautiful pieces of furniture, but a wonderful testament to a man and his beliefs. I thoroughly enjoyed the Craft in America series as well. Turns out the stuff about Sam was a bonus! And I highly recommend you check out some web stuff on Mr. Maloof. We've had a video entitled "Maloof Woodworking Profile" in the library for some years. It's also a great source for viewing. If you find something else of interest for our library, let me know. I haven't purchased anything new for some time, and I'm sure the board would be receptive to requests for additional material on this influential craftsman. Please feel free to e-mail me, or mention it at the next general member meeting.