Patrick’s 45 year old love affair with wood and furniture has led him on a fascinating quest. This pursuit has allowed him to continually explore and evolve in the world of marquetry, conservation, creation, teaching, and consulting. It has also helped him to cultivate a passionate appreciation of pre-industrial furniture.
With the millennium Patrick realized that 18th century work is rapidly disappearing and the process of working by hand is in danger of being forgotten. The wisdom and experience of the masters with whom he studied must, in his estimation, be passed on. In the spirit of sharing the knowledge Patrick has been lucky enough to gather during his career, he opened in 2000 the American School of French Marquetry to share what he learned in Paris at the Ecole Boulle in Paris with his fellow American woodworkers.
Patrick has owned a successful restoration and furniture making company Antique Refinishers since 1969. He also created Old Brown Glue, an organic Liquid Hide Glue, that is easier to use than the traditional Hot Hide Glue. Patrick encourages everyone to embrace this traditional and reversible glue that is still green and quite modern.
Please check out this remarkable video on his series of Treasure Boxes with his partner, Patrice Lejeune.