This month’s AIGA Maine Member Spotlight features Christopher Dudley. We talked to him about his work, his life in Maine, and his experience with AIGA.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work.
I work as a lead carpenter for Thompson Johnson Woodworks. I have a bachelor’s degree in architecture though I have never practiced it, I prefer working with my hands more. In my spare time, I dabble in various creative fields. I’ve designed and built furniture, lighting, and quilts over the years. Some friends and I have been doing a weekly sketch group thing during the pandemic which I am very grateful for. It’s gotten me back into the habit of drawing, which I have not been to for a long time.
What brought you to Maine, and how long have you lived here?
I was born and raised in NJ. After 42 years of it, it was time for a change. I have relatives who offered my wife and I a temporary place to stay in Maine. We got up some courage and made the jump. We’ve been here about 4 and a half years now. (4 years in Portland).
Why did you join AIGA Maine?
It seemed like a way to meet some creative people. It’s been nice to participate in the Open Crit sessions and see/hear/talk about design. It’s one of the things I miss from my days as an architecture student.
What are your favorite spots in Maine?
The Audubon Center in Falmouth is pretty awesome! Great place for a stroll and very calming. Hard to believe downtown Portland is only a few miles away. Pemaquid Point is my other favorite. Sitting on those rocks on a clear blue day looking towards Monhegan makes me forget about the world’s craziness for a brief period.
How do you get inspired?
This is a good question! I think I spend a lot of time just looking and thinking. Some part of my brain is processing things, but I don’t understand how it gets translated into ideas that can be made into something tangible. All of a sudden there is a vision of something to create. The difficult part is doing the work to try to make it a real object. Reality has a funny way of smacking one in the face with the translation from sketch to finished work.
What design trend do you love?
Building science! (it can also be frustrating to execute at times) It is a “new” way (for me anyway, it is not a new practice) to think about building that involves ways of thinking and constructing built spaces to deal with air, vapor, water, ventilation, insulation, and other things that make buildings comfortable to live in, not just aesthetically pleasing.
You can view more of Christopher Dudley’s work on his Instagram, @ftmodudley.
AIGA Maine Member Spotlight is a regular series where we highlight one of our AIGA members. If you would like to make a suggestion for an upcoming spotlight, please email us at communications@maine.aiga.org.
