About the Artist:
Kent Brazille has been a woodworker for as long as he can remember. Following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather, he found a fascination in the details and beauty of wood from an early age. Despite never considering himself to be an artist in conventional terms, he’s always possessed a unique vision that sets him apart from other creators.
Currently a resident of Dallas, TX, Kent spent much of his life in Amarillo and New Mexico. Featuring elements of those familiar Southwest cultures, Kent’s signature style began to evolve two years ago as he looked for an escape during the pandemic.
“I had a desk in my garage that my granddad once owned,” he said. “I decided to refinish it and, since I didn’t like its style, I wasn’t afraid to totally change the look of it.”
Previously a solid maple desk with yellow finishes consistent with its era, the desk transformed into a significantly more unique staple. From there, Kent began finding more pieces to transform.
“With each new work, I pushed the limits of what I thought I could do. I quit trying to simply ‘refinish’ a piece,” he said. “I started trying to create something different and eye-catching.”
The Artistic Process
To take it from start to finish, Kent may spend weeks or even months on a single piece of furniture. In the few days it may take another artist to reinvent an item, he’ll still be brainstorming the transformation before stripping the piece and completing any repairs.
“At that stage, I look at it and see what it’s saying to me,” he said. “That’s when I try to add my vision, and hopefully it will complement the original beauty without taking away from it.”
That careful homage to the craftsman is one element of Kent’s work that truly sets him apart from other artists. Knowing that the original artist created the item without the tools we have available today, Kent puts a lot of thought into how he can reinvent the piece while maintaining its integrity.
“That is why I make it a point to never take anything off that was originally built with it. It just seems disrespectful,” he said. “I may add to the construction of a piece because of the wear and tear over the years, and I want it to still be used as furniture.”
A Unique Style
Kent’s ever-evolving style often features geometric shapes and clean lines that add contrast and depth while maintaining original charm. Using different types of paint and application methods, Kent creates designs which obtain the distinct lines and shapes for which his pieces are known.
When it comes to making sure every project is just right, Kent isn’t afraid to take the time. In fact, after putting in more than 40 hours just on the top of his last piece, he believes the challenge of reinventing an antique is what he enjoys the most—no matter how long it takes.
“It can be so frustrating when something is not working or I have to strip a design because I didn’t think it worked for that piece,” Kent said. “It takes a lot to destroy the work you put your heart in, but if it doesn’t feel right to me, why would I want someone else to have it?”
One-of-a-Kind Works
With many artists gaining success refinishing furniture, it’s Kent’s unique style and respect for the craftsman behind the piece that set him apart.
“I love taking an item that some would have just thrown away and giving it a whole new life. Every project I do is different. I don’t want to be safe or afraid to try something I haven’t done before,” he said.
When someone sees a finished piece, it’s not really about whether or not they want to buy it. For Kent, he simply wants them to be surprised. “I want people to have an emotional connection to a piece. Because I do,” he said.
“I don’t expect everyone to like every finished work, but it will truly be a one-of-a-kind item as well as a usable piece of furniture.”
As he looks to the future, Kent hopes to continue honing his craft and creating furniture for clients who can’t wait to add that missing piece to their homes. He believes there's a niche out there for his style of art, and he wants to help fill it.
“I want my work to be a conversational piece in someone’s home,” he said. “That kind of furniture can bring the warmth we all need more of.”