The Cushman and Wakefield Mug Commission

It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Melissa and Anthony Alderman on three years of vessel commissions. We were introduced by an Alderman family member who happened to be a mutual friend. The foundation of the project has always been grounded in a love, admiration and respect for the handmade. In early 2019, the Aldermans were in pursuit of a quality gift that they could share with clients and coworkers of North By Northwest Consulting that would be more than the standard (and somewhat generic) factory-made item. They wanted something that would strike a chord with the recipient and become a beloved object.

Up for the task, I took on the project with my then-collaborator, Chandra DeBuse, and we created a series of mugs that year that echoed our “F&DB” style and body of work. That style was reminiscent of the urban Kansas City area where the work was being made, taking many cues from the structure and surfaces of the bygone era of the streets and buildings. Two series came form that style while the Aldermans owned and operated NxNW: the mug and the tumbler.

When Cushman and Wakefield acquired the company, Anthony and Melissa once again wanted a series of mugs that would showcase the change. I made the creative decision to alter the style of the work, making something slightly cleaner and more crisp. In its first iteration, behold the 2022 C&W logo mug! The form is rather sleek and minimal, taking shape cues from a place of stability. The handmade and impressed stamp continue the strong evidence and appreciation for the handmade. As with the other cups, these are microwave and dishwasher safe, although I personally enjoy washing mine by hand.

You’ll see that the following images were taken during different times that each series was in creation. It is difficult to express the time, dedication and patience that go into making each piece. The satisfaction of creating something that the client believes in and supports greatly encourages the maker’s soul and the time and energy seem to take care of themselves.

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