Cinco Preguntas with Jesse Moreno: San Antonio-based Artist & Craftsman

Jesse Moreno is a skilled artist and craftsman whose woodworking is focused on honoring the raw material while ushering it into a new life as refined functional art. He is originally from El Paso, Texas, and joined the U.S. Navy during his college career. As with many recruits, his training landed him in San Antonio. It made such an impression that he returned here to raise his family.

We discussed some of his recent works, how his military background influenced his work, his recent exhibition at Rockport Center for the Arts, some recent artist collaborations, and what he did with materials from the property of former U.S. President Carter.

MiSA: What led you to woodworking and has your military background shaped your work? 

JM: I had two start dates when it came to getting started in woodworking. One was the design of my military uniform armoire, which took me from a simple pencil and paper sketch to the actual Google Sketch Up to finally building it. That was a span of about 20 years. I've always considered the military uniform to be a standard of excellence. So in my spare time, I designed workable furniture to display a military uniform. The idea was to give a service member ‘A to go place' for all military equipment, or uniforms.

In between all that, I began accumulating equipment and I would work on small projects. My nephews and nieces began to graduate from high school and college and I decided to make something from my shop, hence start date two. The Wooden Books are a symbolic representation of the hard work given to their studies.

MiSA:  You are known for the use of Brazilian Purple Heart in your work. What is it about the material that speaks to you and what sort of pieces have you made for your clients?

JM:  I find it fascinating, such beautiful color. I never imagined wood being purple. When first working the wood it’s in its normal color, dark brown. With its own chemical composition adding a little sunlight or UV rays the wood turns deep purple. It's dense and very difficult to work with but that only adds to the beauty of working with this wood. I love pairing it with a beautiful maple or a spalting pecan.

I really do love making furniture for some of my regular clients. I have repeated clients who love buying my books year after year as well. I have taken on several commissions and I think those are the most rewarding. My clients give me the freedom to use whatever wood I want. I try to make every book unique in all its right. I speak for the tree and the life it once had. I try to keep its spirit and beauty going for generations to see.

MiSA:  You are wrapping up an exhibition at Rockport Center for the Arts entitled Coastal Mementos, which is closing on Oct.6. Please tell us about the pieces featured in this exhibition.

JM:  The title says it all, Coastal Mementos. I have approximately 15 books all with different laser imprints. Sea shells to sea horses, coral and fish to lighthouses. I’m using several exotic woods to emphasize the beauty in all the colors wood comes in. Please do come check it out.

MiSA:  You have collaborated with other artists as well who have painted on your boxes. How did this come about?

JM:  I've collaborated with three artists here at Hausmann Millworks. Rex Hausmann, Louis Vega Trevino and Alain Gakwaya. At the moment, I only have these three, one of which has already sold. My idea was to have a little bit of everyone at The Mill on my books. I give the freedom to the artist to paint whatever they wish, no restrictions no boundaries. I love doing collaborations with other artists. It just makes my books that much more special.

MiSA:  You recently worked with some wood collected from the property of former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter. What were you making? 

JM:  I was so fortunate to receive wood from the planting and harvesting farms from our 39th President Jimmy Carter. The wood I received is called Paulownia. This tree is fully grown and ready for harvest within 10 years. I used this wood to make a beautiful 12-inch by 10-inch book. I paired it with Purple Heart for the spine and I also had a beautiful flower inlay onto the cover. My plan was to mail it back to our President but right about that time he went into hospice care. I still have that book today.

Jesse Moreno has a studio at Hausmann Millworks: A Creative Community. You can view his work on his Instagram page, @Honey Mesquite Workshop or his Etsy page.

To view his work in person, contact him through one of the pages we mentioned to schedule a studio visit.