Roberto Lavadie·Woodworker

, a native Taoseño, has been in the woodwork and furniture business for approximately 30 years. A self-taught, first generation woodworker, Roberto has been featured on national television, trade journals and magazines, and his works are in the permanent collection of the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos and also the Taylor Museum in Colorado Springs, CO. Roberto's one-of-a-kind designs are mostly influenced by Spanish Colonial and pre-Columbian motifs; but, he has developed his own unique style in the living tradition of Northern New Mexico carpinteros.

My career as a carpintero/woodworker/furniture maker evolved from a successful sign business I had for many years. Having met goals and challenges I set for myself, I gravitated more towards wood as I had created a number of signs that were designed and executed in wood. My main challenge is in designing the work I do. What good is it to spend countless hours on a piece if the proportions are off and there isn't any aesthetic appeal?

Now, I've been designing and building furniture and architectural woodwork for nearly 30 years. The building techniques used are various and all jointery insures strength and durability as well as a bit of "romance" with exposed tenons and in other cases, dovetail joints. Hand carving brings out much more of the romance! The carving is done using tools (chisels, gouges, knives) that were used by masters of long ago. With technology what it is, I also use modern equipment for milling; but, it is in old world handwork that I take most pride.

The pieces are then embellished with hand wrought hardware where applicable as well as commercial hardware where necessary. Finishes are of utmost importance to me as I feel you can make an inexpensive piece of furniture look like a million dollars with the right finish whereas doing a bad finish will make an expensive piece of furniture look inferior. The executions I use on finishes are numerous and the end result is indicative of the attention to detail--from start to finish! Doing something a bit different makes things that much more impressive, such as distressing the wood, which adds character, as does the use of color.

Having been born and using a talent I was born with is the ultimate thank you to God for such a gift. To share this gift gives me a sense of being and belonging. Having been blessed with a wonderful family has further enhanced my life. My wife Carol (best cook in the world), is a Child Find Coordinator within the department of Special Education in the Taos Municipal School district. We have both worked hard to raise and nurture our four children. Lisa will soon graduate from the Carver School of Medicine at the University of Iowa as a medical doctor. Jose, our son, is a jack of all trades but makes his living building cabinets and making furniture as well (I wonder where he learned that?). Anita is currently enrolled at New Mexico Highlands University where she's pursuing a degree in Forestry with an emphasis in wildland fires. Our youngest, Celina, is employed at a local grocery store where she manages quite a reputation (good one of course!) with the customers there.

Other than family, my greatest passion lies in hunting and fishing. I've harvested a number of elk, deer, antelope and wild turkeys with my son and daughter, Anita. We usually hunt together and have a bunch of fun. To have been there for their first big game harvests has been pretty incredible for me!

I fly fish as much as I can using flies I tie myself. At one time I was a fly-fishing guide for Manny Sandoval at High Mountain Angler. The fly tying bench, came about after getting tired of and getting frustrated with pulling out boxes every time I wanted to tie a bug or two! As of late, I've started making custom hunting knives.

As part of my spiritual path, I also carve santos. Some years ago I was bestowed with the honor of carving 19 processional crucifixes for the Archbishop of Santa Fe, Reverend Michael Sheehan. They were commissioned as a gift for all the pueblos of New Mexico. I've also done a number of crucifixes for churches around Northern New Mexico. I am currently working on an image of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe and one of Saint Jude. I look at the work I do as a very powerful prayer!

I thank you for visiting my website and I hope the above has given you a bit of insight as to who and what I am. I look forward to hearing from you and ultimately, I hope for the honor of gracing your home with beautiful hand crafted woodwork!

/Woodworker
P. O. Box 522
Taos, NM 87571
505-758-9130 Home/shop · 505-770-2063 Cell · 505-758-9130 Fax