As I get older, I start to realize that so much of what I "have" is also what I "had." Memories, friendships, loves, travels ... gone, but present. I look forward to more Louie.
This recounting of your meeting Louie for the first time, and realizing that your work had such an impact on the direction of his life sounds so very much like the impact that ‘Builders of the West Coast’ had on me…I received that book as a gift, at a time in my life when I was unconsciously yearning for a new direction in my work, and boy, did that book hit!
I was at the time a framer, building custom houses for people with more money than sense (or style), and was feeling really bummed out about the souless creations I was adding to the world. I poured over ‘Builders’ again and again (and again), soaking in the details, the characters, the whole vibe of what you had documented. It quite literally changed the direction of my life, and refreshed my outlook on the building trade.
Apart from doing the actual building, I was very interested in design, too, and my boss at the time told me to pursue that, because, in his words, framing houses is a young man’s game, and eventually I’ll wear out and not be able to keep up.
So, I began designing small houses and cabins, always thinking about the sweet buildings in ‘Builders’, and figuring out the details that really set them apart, and brought those lessons into my own work. Fast forward almost 20 years and I’m still at it and making a good living, and ‘Builder’s’ is still resonating through me, and my designs.
So, thanks Lloyd for all that you have done and continue to do. I’m certain you’ve been the spark in many, many folk’s lives.
A true Renaissance man; the incomparable Louie Frazier! He would have turned 97 next week. I’m sure you met him Lloyd earlier than 2000, maybe 1990, as y’all were already good friends by the time I came on the scene in 1992.
Thank you. I look forward to reading more. I've been following you for years, reading of you visiting Louie, seeing your photos of him and his buildings. It's wonderful hearing more about him, and the deep friendship.
As I get older, I start to realize that so much of what I "have" is also what I "had." Memories, friendships, loves, travels ... gone, but present. I look forward to more Louie.
Great, much of what I "have" is what I "had."
Lloyd,
This recounting of your meeting Louie for the first time, and realizing that your work had such an impact on the direction of his life sounds so very much like the impact that ‘Builders of the West Coast’ had on me…I received that book as a gift, at a time in my life when I was unconsciously yearning for a new direction in my work, and boy, did that book hit!
I was at the time a framer, building custom houses for people with more money than sense (or style), and was feeling really bummed out about the souless creations I was adding to the world. I poured over ‘Builders’ again and again (and again), soaking in the details, the characters, the whole vibe of what you had documented. It quite literally changed the direction of my life, and refreshed my outlook on the building trade.
Apart from doing the actual building, I was very interested in design, too, and my boss at the time told me to pursue that, because, in his words, framing houses is a young man’s game, and eventually I’ll wear out and not be able to keep up.
So, I began designing small houses and cabins, always thinking about the sweet buildings in ‘Builders’, and figuring out the details that really set them apart, and brought those lessons into my own work. Fast forward almost 20 years and I’m still at it and making a good living, and ‘Builder’s’ is still resonating through me, and my designs.
So, thanks Lloyd for all that you have done and continue to do. I’m certain you’ve been the spark in many, many folk’s lives.
Peace, Pete L., Ontario, Canada
A true Renaissance man; the incomparable Louie Frazier! He would have turned 97 next week. I’m sure you met him Lloyd earlier than 2000, maybe 1990, as y’all were already good friends by the time I came on the scene in 1992.
Donna,
Thanks, you are right! It was mid-1980s and I changed it.
Excellent post. I’m looking forward to entering Louie’s world regularly 😊
Wonderful post. I'm looking forward to reading many more!!
Thank you. I look forward to reading more. I've been following you for years, reading of you visiting Louie, seeing your photos of him and his buildings. It's wonderful hearing more about him, and the deep friendship.