Mike Lagg
The Amazing Wood Artisan
Carrizozo, NM
By Carrizozo Reporter
Our first stop in the Art Loop Tour was at the Studio of wood artisan Mike Lagg in Carrizozo. Mr. Lagg is a highly skilled worker in woods who designs and creates everything from one-of-a-kind custom tables, benches, furniture and beautifully framed mirrors, to stunning wooden lamp shades and complex animated machines made almost entirely from wood as well. It takes just a few minutes in Mikes showroom and workshop studying his interesting, amusing and beautiful creations to realize this guy is really good at what he does – exhibiting a skill and talent for creating unique products from wood that most wood artisans could only envy but few could ever imitate.
Mike’s workshop is constantly filled with several long-term creative projects that he keeps going simultaneously. The day we visited he had a custom dining table in the final stages of completion, an elaborate and beautiful hand-made door that he had just finished, a new bent-wood mirror frame that still needed some additional work, and his animated doorbell that he confided has served as his private hobby-project for quite some time. That door bell is an amazing and impressive machine that clearly illustrates the scope of Mike’s skills and interests. Once triggered, the sun begins rising and setting behind passing clouds that drift over an ocean filled with moving waves, swimming dolphins and a single sailboat that moves forward through the waves. It’s an impressive piece of work indeed and is made almost entirely from wood except for the small electric motor that runs the contraption when the doorbell button is pressed.
There were a variety of other animated devices scattered all over his shop as well. It soon became evident that creating animated machines one of wood is Mike’s special interests. So much so in fact, that when I laughed calling him one a frustrated engineer he said he doesn’t find that work frustrating at all. He actually enjoys creating such unique devices.
From what we saw, if you’re looking for someone who can create a special one-of-a kind project out of wood, Mike Lagg is definitely the guy to talk with. He clearly has the attitude that nothing is impossible to do and the more involved and intricate the project is, the more he seems to enjoy tackling it. But even if all you want is a beautiful mirror, or a wooden lamp shade to add just the right decorator touch to that lamp in your den, Mike is sure to have something that you like; or he’d be happy to take it on as a custom project and will make your wooden dream a reality with ease!
Mikes work shop is a must-see kind of place. It can be visited on most weekdays at 1214 E Avenue in Carrizozo. The next time you’re in Carrizozo, be sure to drop in and spend a few minutes browsing his gallery. We promise you’ll be impressed.
Click here to Mike’s Art Loop sub-gallery (http://www.steppinoutnewmexico.com/pp-514/showgallery.php?mcats=all&si=lagg&what=title&name=&when=0&whenterm=&condition=and) which shows a few of his many wood creations. He can be reached by phone at 505-648-8711 to arrange a studio viewing or consultation, or drop him an email at mikelagg@yahoo.com.
Thanks, Mike for a very entertaining half-hour spent in your studio and for taking time out to answer our questions. Your work is truly impressive! :D
The Amazing Wood Artisan
Carrizozo, NM
By Carrizozo Reporter
Our first stop in the Art Loop Tour was at the Studio of wood artisan Mike Lagg in Carrizozo. Mr. Lagg is a highly skilled worker in woods who designs and creates everything from one-of-a-kind custom tables, benches, furniture and beautifully framed mirrors, to stunning wooden lamp shades and complex animated machines made almost entirely from wood as well. It takes just a few minutes in Mikes showroom and workshop studying his interesting, amusing and beautiful creations to realize this guy is really good at what he does – exhibiting a skill and talent for creating unique products from wood that most wood artisans could only envy but few could ever imitate.
Mike’s workshop is constantly filled with several long-term creative projects that he keeps going simultaneously. The day we visited he had a custom dining table in the final stages of completion, an elaborate and beautiful hand-made door that he had just finished, a new bent-wood mirror frame that still needed some additional work, and his animated doorbell that he confided has served as his private hobby-project for quite some time. That door bell is an amazing and impressive machine that clearly illustrates the scope of Mike’s skills and interests. Once triggered, the sun begins rising and setting behind passing clouds that drift over an ocean filled with moving waves, swimming dolphins and a single sailboat that moves forward through the waves. It’s an impressive piece of work indeed and is made almost entirely from wood except for the small electric motor that runs the contraption when the doorbell button is pressed.
There were a variety of other animated devices scattered all over his shop as well. It soon became evident that creating animated machines one of wood is Mike’s special interests. So much so in fact, that when I laughed calling him one a frustrated engineer he said he doesn’t find that work frustrating at all. He actually enjoys creating such unique devices.
From what we saw, if you’re looking for someone who can create a special one-of-a kind project out of wood, Mike Lagg is definitely the guy to talk with. He clearly has the attitude that nothing is impossible to do and the more involved and intricate the project is, the more he seems to enjoy tackling it. But even if all you want is a beautiful mirror, or a wooden lamp shade to add just the right decorator touch to that lamp in your den, Mike is sure to have something that you like; or he’d be happy to take it on as a custom project and will make your wooden dream a reality with ease!
Mikes work shop is a must-see kind of place. It can be visited on most weekdays at 1214 E Avenue in Carrizozo. The next time you’re in Carrizozo, be sure to drop in and spend a few minutes browsing his gallery. We promise you’ll be impressed.
Click here to Mike’s Art Loop sub-gallery (http://www.steppinoutnewmexico.com/pp-514/showgallery.php?mcats=all&si=lagg&what=title&name=&when=0&whenterm=&condition=and) which shows a few of his many wood creations. He can be reached by phone at 505-648-8711 to arrange a studio viewing or consultation, or drop him an email at mikelagg@yahoo.com.
Thanks, Mike for a very entertaining half-hour spent in your studio and for taking time out to answer our questions. Your work is truly impressive! :D