The Light of His Life:
WILLIAM MORRIS STUDIO
by Terry Tsujioka
On the wall of William Morris’ Benicia, California studio is a Tao quote: “Because he doesn’t display himself, people can see his light.” Appropriate for a lamp maker, but for William – father of five, Little League umpire, and artisan of hand-turned and carved wood lamps – these are words to live by.
“Everyone has a unique expression,” says the former Bay-area machinist who developed his woodworking craft and established William Morris Studio 18 years ago. “My job is to keep the channel open. So the work just comes through me, and I don’t become part of the artwork.” With Renee, his wife of 25 years, making the shades from mica, parchment, and leaves from trees on their property, William creates functional, beautiful works of art. “And when I send a lamp off to the customer, my job is done. I work hard at not having ego or identity tied into it, just the joy of having made it. I always enjoy the experience, and appreciate being asked to do it.”
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WILLIAM AND RENEE MORRIS
Who they are and what they create are inseparable.
by Marilyn Fish
Throughout history, but especially during the Arts and Crafts era, craftsmen inspired by nature have created useful and beautiful objects. In their suburban studio 35 miles from San Francisco, William and Renee Morris (no relation to the historic figure) carry on this tradition. Taking direction from natural materials, they give the gift of the well-made object through the medium of hand-crafted lamps.
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PROFILE William Morris
Finding meaning in his work is essential to him, and the Arts & Crafts philosophy that values handcraft guides him as he is inspired by nature to put care and spirit into each lamp. Working in a true guild mind set, he builds his lamps starting with bases made by fellow contemporary artisans: ceramic pots from Ephraim Faience, opalescent vases from Pavonine Glass and Lunderg Studios. His wife contributes her artistry in designing glowing mica and parchment shades at one with nature, each individually decorated with dried leaves she’s collected: oak, ginkgo, eucalyptus, pepper tree, and Japanese maple.
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SHEDDING LIGHT
The William Morris Studio puts custom lamps in their best light using Adobe® Photoshop® CS2
Words—and even traditional photos—cannot accurately describe the stunning details of the custom Craftsman-style lamps that Renee and William Morris produce in their Benicia, California, studio.
Although William used photos of the lamps to showcase them online and in print, he was increasingly dissatisfied because the photos did not do justice to the lamps. To solve this problem, he became an expert in digital photography and
Adobe Photoshop CS2 software.
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This quote reminds me of the way I have lived my life. It was nice to find along the way and I use it as a reminder to stay the course and be true to my process.
"The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him, he is always doing both."
James Michener
