Equestrian Network Magazine

John Varian - Artist Of The Month

by M. Y. Mim

This month's artist of the month might better be referred to as the artisan of the month, although John Varian's extraordinary handmade furniture certainly qualifies as art pieces.

John, his wife Barbara and their children, live in Parkfield, California, about 40 miles north of Paso Robles. This tiny hamlet (population 16) presents the quintessential vision of California: rolling golden hills dotted with native California Live Oaks, wild lupine and poppies, the sweet smell of sage.

Handmade bed by artisan John Varian

Three generations of the Varian family comprise most of the population and its enterprises: the V6 ranch, offering cattle drives and a dude ranch experience; the Parkfield Café; the Parkfield Inn, offering charming rooms with Western rustic décor and furniture made by John Varian.

John and Barbara's gorgeous home showcases his masterful craft. Not only did he build the house with its stunning view, most of the furniture is his handiwork as well.

Not far from the house, John's enviable workshop is a wood-workers vision of Paradise within nature's Paradise. Dozens of power saws and special equipment fill a metal shed large enough to hold a small car lot. From here, John creates his art.

John told Equestrian Network Magazine of his belief in "The Four Elements of Art," explaining:

"Creativity: As a kid growing up in Parkfield thirty miles from the nearest store, I learned to build or find what I needed, not buy it.

"Passion: I love what I do. I look forward to building and creating every single day. You always have the advantage if you have passion.

"Originality: An essential for me is the confidence to create something out of my own mind, not copying others' idea. Also, the requirement of confidence to try again if my ideas are rejected.

"Ten percent inspiration, 90% perspiration! All success takes hard work!."

The artist answered questions for Equestrian Network Magazine.

"That weekend I took a picture how did John form his business of the horse that lives down the street from me in field of yellow flowers (on a cheap 3 pixel. camera), printed out some post cards with my name and phone number, and went to the first schooling show of the season at Loomis Basin.

Parkfield Ranch, where the Varians live. Photo by Ellen McGrath.

ENM: How long have you been making furniture and how did you learn?

John Varian: I am self-taught and have been making furniture for 15 years. I never had any formal education in art, architecture or design.

ENM: When did you establish Parkfield Log Company?

John Varian: In 1993.

ENM: What is your inspiration?

John Varian: Nature and using naturally shaped log.

These children's beds decorate John's daughters' room.

ENM: What's the first thing you do when you begin a piece?

John Varian: I work on drawings, then I collect materials here on the Ranch.

ENM: How long does it take to make a single piece?

John Varian: One to 30 days, depending on the complexity of the piece.

ENM: Do you prefer any particular work above another?

John Varian: I like to always have new challenges.

ENM: Whose work do you admire in furniture making?

John Varian: I appreciate all different style of furniture, but in my design style, Thomas Molesworth* was a great artisan.

ENM: Is most or all of your work custom pieces?

John Varian: About half the pieces I make are custom; the other half are my designs.

ENM: What do you hope or plan for the future of Parkfield Log Company?

John Varian: I want to continue to build furniture that brings the peace, beauty and comfort of the great outdoor into the hands of my customers.

The home that John built. Photo by Ellen McGrath.

To learn more about Parkfield Log Company and to purchase John Varian's art furniture, visit www.parkfield.com and click on the Parkfield Log Company logo, or call Toll-Free: 1-888-4-LOG-BED

*In 1931 Thomas Canada Molesworth (1890-1977) started the Shoshone Furniture Company in Cody, Wyoming. The western "Dude Ranch" was a popular vacation destination in those days as this was prior to Disneyland and Hawaii vacation packages. In a few short years Molesworth had made a name for himself furnishing the Moses Annenberg lodge and big hotels in Wyoming and Montana. In 1940 he received a commission to furnish the TE Ranch which had formerly belonged to Buffalo Bill. Edward Grigware, an old classmate from Chicago collaborated with Molesworth on the TE Ranch project and several other commissions. Molesworth made furniture for some of the most prominent Americans of the twentieth century. He furnished Eisenhower's den, the Rockefeller Ranch and the homes and retreats of several celebrities and captains of industry and commerce."

About the Author: M. Y. Mim is a free-lance journalist based in Santa Barbara, Ca. She may be reached at mymim3@cox.net, or through her agent R. Almqvist, 805-705-5349.