Meet Richard Garrett

The McKinnon and Harris workshop is filled with talented artisans and craftspeople passionate about their work, their art, and their families. They truly are the heart and soul of McKinnon and Harris. Richard Garrett is one of these unique and special craftsmen. Joining McKinnon and Harris six and a half years ago, Richard recognized that this was a place where he could earn a living doing what he loved - forming and shaping metal.

Using scrap heaps and junk piles in his father’s garage, Richard began hammering on and working with metal as a child, and as he grew, so did his passion for metal. Richard graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Metalsmithing and Jewelry from the acclaimed program at Virginia Commonwealth University. (VCUarts is ranked the #1 public university arts and design program in the country.)

Each day at McKinnon and Harris Richard masterfully operates the Hossfeld Bender, hand shaping, bending and forming with meticulous care the complex curves and radii comprising the handcrafted furniture. “I find the challenge of shaping something seemingly inflexible meditative,” he says. In his home studio after hours, Richard continues his passion for working with metal,  handcrafting fine knives, corkscrews, bottle openers and other exquisite hand held items. His wife Laura, herself an artist, frames all of the company artwork, watercolor paintings and drawings, as well as photographs of the exceptional craftspeople.

When asked about McKinnon and Harris, Richard commented, “The vast majority of people here are artists in one way or another. There is more creativity in this company than in any I’ve ever worked in before.” In the community of McKinnon and Harris artists, art and life are the same.