Group 25

Featured Artist: Brent Rourke

 We had the chance to hang out and spend the morning with Handworks’ artist, Brent Rourke! We made our way out to Bloomfield and he showed us around his studio and store!
You can see more of Brent’s work in the gallery!

Name: Brent Rourke
Age: 51
Occupation: Woodworker
City/Neighborhood: Bloomfield Kings County NB

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Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do
I’m ancient! I’ve been doing this forever, Is that all you need to know? (laughs)
We have a retail business, custom woodworking, furniture cabinetry..

Tell us a little bit about how you got started.
Oh! I went through the program in high school and then went to trade school. I worked in the industry for several years. I started my own business 19 years ago

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Do you remember the first piece you’ve ever sold?
Heavens no, that was a long time ago
Our very first wholesale customer was with Handworks!

What project are you working on right now?
We have all these gables and presentation boxes, a big order from japan and a big custom kitchen in Rothesay.

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Where do you find ideas for your work these days?
Most off, people come to us with ideas, sometimes we see something somewhere and adapt it to our own design.

Its not all about the big glamor art pieces you see everywhere, it’s the smaller things you do in volume that get you somewhere. Sugar box is what were known for and it still generates a lot of money for us.

What is your motto?
Work like hell

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Do you collect anything?
I collect hand tools, I have a quite a collection of those, I don’t get to use them much. I like things that are well made, and a lot of those tools are well made.

What do you most value in your friends?
I don’t have friends, my wife has friends.

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What is your most treasured possession?
My two kids.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My business, it’s hard work to own a business
I take great pride in what I do here, it’s a great setting and it’s beautiful here.

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What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife of course.

Where can we find more about you?
Come to the barn in Bloomfield!

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