Warren McKenney

medium: woodworking

Click on the image to see the full version.

The Monarch 2014 Woodworking	Mountain Princess Tribute Guitar in stand 2018 Woodworking	Mountain Princess full view 2018 Woodworking
The Rainbow Trout 2018 Woodworking	The Mallard 2019 Woodworking	Recreation with "Happy" 2019 Woodworking
The Wisconsin Treasure Series 2019 Woodworking	The Careless End 2019 Woodworking	The Menominee 2018 Woodworking

Contact information
427 Elizabeth Ave
Marinette, WI 54143
Email Address: 47.roadmaster@gmail.com

Artist statement
Growing up in a small town with little or no money at times, we were forced to scavenge, or selectively hunt for things to build with. This is my driving force for using sustainable, re-claimed, recycled, or re-purposed materials. A tree hugger at heart, I authored and taught Sustainable Residential Construction courses at N.W.T.C., a local college.

I taught for Crivitz, Wabeno, Wausaukee, and DePere, building on-site homes using my curriculum as a course guideline. Later I began a Senior Citizen course building guitars, fun!

I do one person exhibits/shows throughout Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wauwatosa (for Habitat for Humanity ReStores), Marinette WI and Menominee MI, etc.

I have put on workshops for College 4 Kids at the UW campus in Marinette. My mission is to emphasize creativity and conservation for all through my work and classes.



I produce a variety of string musical instruments, mostly guitar based. My work ranges from three-string box to twelve string concert guitars. Some of my instruments have cases that are also hand built. Each piece is influenced by my roots, being Irish, or Wisconsin's natural surroundings, Monarch butterflies, cherry orchards, classic cars, pallets, Wisconsin Cedar, and beer, yes beer. Each one is an extension of myself.

I use only recycled, re-purposed, or re-claimed materials. No computerized equipment is used, a scroll saw, router and a variety of hand tools only are used. All of the guitar pieces are handmade, body, neck, headstock, bridges, stop-tails, and truss rods.

My selection of wood is based on what I have on hand, or have retrieved from, shall I say high-end dumpsters. I use pallet material, old wood flooring, etc. No mechanical fasteners are used, only dowels, splines, or other natural techniques.

I don't draw out a plan, my imagination is my plan. Having played and collected guitars for years, it is not difficult to begin working with the wood.

All finishes are latex or hand rubbed finishes, well below L.E.E.D.'s requirements.

All my instruments are very playable, some acoustic, semi-hollow, solid, and semi-solid.

Biography
Growing up in a small town with little or no money at times, we were forced to scavenge, or selectively hunt for things to build with. This is my driving force for using sustainable, re-claimed, recycled, or re-purposed materials. A tree hugger at heart, I authored and taught Sustainable Residential Construction courses at N.W.T.C., a local college.

I taught for Crivitz, Wabeno, Wausaukee, and DePere, building on-site homes using my curriculum as a course guideline. Later I began a Senior Citizen course building guitars, fun!

I do one person exhibits/shows throughout Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wauwatosa (for Habitat for Humanity ReStores), Marinette WI and Menominee MI, etc.

I have put on workshops for College 4 Kids at the UW campus in Marinette. My mission is to emphasize creativity and conservation for all through my work and classes.