Geoffrey Keating - Built to Last

Geoffrey Keating is a Colorado-based woodworker whose dedication to exquisite craftsmanship and creative design have made him one of today's most sought-after furniture makers. But creating furniture is just a small part of his interesting life story—Geoffrey has also worked as a mechanic on a professional motocross team and holds two graduate degrees in theology, one from Yale and one from Notre Dame. He discovered his talent for woodworking about ten years ago while still in graduate school, and soon decided to go all in on building a career as a professional craftsman. • Geoffrey has a unique ability to understand and respect the past, while maintaining a commitment to a sustainable future. He uses reclaimed or responsibly sourced wood to create his furniture, and all of his work is built to last—he expects each piece to be passed on from one generation to the next. His workshop and home are in a beautiful 1897 building that was formerly a grocery store—he and his wife have fully repurposed the historical space to be their growing family’s base of operations. And as you’ll hear, Geoffrey’s study of history and theology plays a huge role in his design ethic and commitment to sustainability. • We met up at Geoffrey’s shop which is located just a block north of Colorado College in Colorado Springs. As you’d expect from someone with Geoffrey’s interesting background, we had a fun and wide-ranging conversation. We discuss his family’s history as craftsmen, and how he is the fifth generation to make a living working with wood. We talk about his transition from academia to woodworking, and how he managed to get his business off the ground in the early days. We chat about his commitment to quality, and how he balances his artistic goal of perfection with the economic realities of running a business. And we touch on his daily routines and techniques he uses to avoid the creative blocks that arise from time to time. As usual, we also cover his favorite books, most powerful outdoor experience, and more. ••• http://mountainandprairie.com/geoffrey-keating/ ••• TOPICS DISCUSSED: 2:45- How Geoffrey describes his work 3:15 - Geoffrey describes his furniture 4:55 - Family history of woodworking 5:45 - Racing motorcycles and working as mechanic 6:45 - Teaching and theology 8:45 - Transition from theology to woodworking 11:15 - Starting the business 14:15 - The formation of Geoffrey’s style 14:50 - Dealing with the quest for perfection 18:15 - The business of woodworking 19:55 - History of his workshop 20:55 - Living in the West 22:15 - Life in Colorado Springs 23:55 - Commitment to sustainability 26:10 - Types of wood 27:00 - Mentors and books 29:45 - Dealing with distraction 32:35 - Goal versus process 33:45 - Dealing with creative block 35:25 - Life lessons from woodworking 36:55 - Talent versus work ethic 38:25 - Advice for woodworkers 42:25 - Favorite books 45:15 - Favorite films 46:45 - Hobbies 47:15 - Most powerful outdoor experience 50:15 - Favorite location 50:55 - Best advice ever received? 52:10 - Request of the listeners 53:05 - Connect with Geoffrey online