About Gistjot

Introduction to this blog series

This blog series serves as a journal in which stories of design, art, and philosophy weave together. There will be a strong emphasis on giving a face to local artisans and resources: the hidden treasures in our own community. After all, local is “green”.

Instinctively, I dwell in a visual world, traveling with an imaginary documentary camera in my head, self-reporting what I see. During a design project, I remain open, drawing inspiration from buildings, landscapes, and environments, as well as the internet, to invoke serendipity and synchronicity.

I grew up in a world of art. Our home was filled with handmade objects. My mother painted and sculpted, a sketchbook always at hand, and her work filled the house. My father made the built-in furniture in our living room, and his distinctive black glazed pottery sat in the kitchen. Furniture, and large ceramics by my brother, paintings and textiles by my sister, and my own paintings and ceramics completed the picture. Twentieth-century art books on the living room coffee table were a constant source of inspiration.

I went to St. Martinʼs School of Art in London. I attended pottery classes part-time at Southampton Art School for two years. I took a government training in carpentry and joinery. I went on to work on historical restoration projects, including work on a 16th-century farmhouse in the tiny West Sussex village of Amberley. My commute was a five-minute walk past stone walls, roses, and thatched cottages.

The ideology and principles of the British Arts and Craft Movement, and in particular, William Morris, have always resonated with me. William Morris co-founded a design firm that profoundly influenced the decorative arts from 1861 into the early 20th century. The principles set forth that the firm would undertake carving, stained glass, cloth and paper-hangings, printed fabrics, carpets, furniture, murals, metal and glass wares, embroideries, jewellery, and tapestries. The Pre-Raphaelites continually remind us of the importance of preserving the crafts.

At the Muir Beach Zen Center, I joined the carpentry crew at , practicing Japanese joinery under the tutelage of master Japanese builder, Paul Disco. After that, I worked as a carpenter on many custom homes and remodels in the Bay Area, then joined an interior design and furniture design studio, working on homes in Malibu and Beverly Hills.

Collaboration with artists and artisans, stone carvers, wood carvers, mural painters, furniture makers, upholsterers, seamstresses, blacksmiths, stone masons, and stained glass makers is central to my work.

My Goal

My goal is to introduce you to stories about artists and artisans, materials, sources, resources, and places to go to be inspired. My current favorite design philosophy: avoid being too trendy, mix old with new, and mix rustic with refined. Timeless.