Artist Series -- CDek Christopher DeKnikker

A couple of weeks ago a challenge was issued by Piping Hot Papers to make a treasury featuring shops that you had never used before or had never discovered. This isn't a difficult task since Etsy is filled with a tremendous amount of amazing artists. As I was browsing through all of these shops I came across CDek. These beautiful pieces are made by using recycled pieces of scrap wood and yard debris. Are you as amazed by this work as I am?




When did you become interested in art and did you choose art, or did it choose you?

I can’t remember a time when art hasn’t been in my life. At a very early age my father taught me to draw and look at things differently. He opened this world up to me and I have been meandering my way through it ever since. I think art and I chose each other.




You get to spend one weekend each with three historical figures, an artist, a writer and one of your choice. Who are they and what will you talk about or do?

I can envision a weekend poker tournament with Vincent Van Gogh, Kurt Vonnegut, and John Wayne. I’m not sure what we would talk about, but I bet it would be memorable.




How has the popularity of the Internet affected your work?

The popularity of the Internet hasn’t affected my work, although it has been a great way to get rapid exposure to what I am creating. I try to avoid finding inspiration from the Internet as much as possible because I don’t want it to influence my creativity.


Have you discovered any new technique to creating your work that you can share? How do you overcome artist block?

I never quite know what I am getting in to when I start a piece. I usually make a few conceptual drawings and rough sketches so I am not completely lost during construction. About 20% in, I really start to understand how to build the piece and get comfortable with the materials. Each piece has taught me something new about techniques to use for following projects.

One technique I can share is to make the back hollow. In doing this, the cable pulls the piece tight to wall instead of tilting away from it. The slight tilt may not be a problem for many artists, but I wanted my pieces to appear as if they were coming directly out of the wall.

Fortunately, I have not experienced any kind of artist block. I wish I had more hours in the day to create the ideas I have rattling around in my head.



If I walked into your studio this moment what would you show me first? What would you want to hide?

I suppose I would have to show off my random collection of lumber and twigs…trash bin to others, raw potential to me.

I would probably try and distract you to the fact that my studio also doubles as a laundry room/gym/recycling center/garage. I may want to hide the fact that it is usually 33 degrees in the winter and 90 degrees in the summer.



Describe something that comes up in your work because of a life experience?

I think a lot of what I make can be attributed to digging around under my grandpa’s table saw for usable scraps of wood. Most of these scraps were used to build various weapons for cops and robbers or vehicles for G.I. Joes. I think he would be proud.

Describe what you do or who you are in a haiku

Pixies and Pale Ale
Making time in my garage
Adhesive and wood


Is there anything else that you would like to share

Art is everywhere! Materials are everywhere! You don’t have to have lots of money for expensive paints, clay, or metals. All you need is imagination and gumption. The rest is gravy.