Latvian woodworker studies in Sisters

Seven years ago, self-trained furniture-maker Harijs Stradins sat at his computer in Latvia and started seeking out mentors.

He sent e-mails to woodworkers whose work he found on the Internet, seeking advice on how to advance his work and build his skills. Only one woodworker responded: Brent McGregor of Sisters.

"Brent is the only one who answered my question," Stradins said.

It was the beginning of a seven-year correspondence that culminated this month with a three-week visit by Stradins to McGregor's home and workspace in the Panoramic subdivision, east of Sisters.

Stradins explained how the visit came about.

"Maybe three months ago, I sat near my computer and my fingers wrote an interesting letter," he said. He asked to visit and work with the master sculptor of juniper.

"After 10 minutes, I got this reply: 'Yes, my friend, it is possible. Please do it.'"

The visit prompted some anxiety in McGregor and his colleague Chris Castle.

"We were scared to death when he got here he wouldn't speak English and we'd have to use Google Translator for everything," McGregor said.

Fortunately, Stradins gets along fine in English - and all three share the common language of craftsmanship in wood.

"We do some interesting project," Stradins said. "Brent's teaching me to use tools I've never used before in my workshop. Brent has tools I've never seen before."

"He's only got a couple of power tools," McGregor explained.

McGregor taught him the use of specialized tools that allow him to "get into nooks and crannies" and recommended that he purchase some more power tools when he returns to Latvia - even if he has to take on a little debt.

"He needs a band saw and some of the small sanders and his work will go so much faster," McGregor said.

The Sisters master craftsman told The Nugget that he was impressed with the quantity and quality of Stradins' work, which he saw online. The Latvian's work is painstaking craftsmanship, producing furniture from chairs to wardrobes and lamps, incorporating stone, glass, linen and other materials.

His primary material is oak. His customers are the few Latvians with discretionary income, and he has a market in Russia, France and other parts of Europe.

McGregor said he was impressed at the progress he's seen in Stradins work over the seven years of their correspondence, especially remarkable since he is self-taught.

"He's got an artist's eye," McGregor said. "He's really come a long way."

Latvia is a poor nation on the Baltic Sea, buffeted by political and military storms for centuries, dominated either by Germany or Russia for much of its history. Stradins grew up when Latvia was part of the Soviet Union, and he was drafted into the Soviet army. Latvia has a population of 2.5 million and Stradins said some 500,000 have left the country seeking work in other parts of Europe.

In a nation of staggeringly high unemployment, Stradins is able to make a living at his craft, supporting his wife and three children. He kept in touch during his stay via Skype, talking to them in the Sisters morning, when the family in Latvia was getting ready to go to bed.

In addition to intensive workshop collaboration, McGregor treated the Latvian to explorations of the Sisters back country. A skilled outdoorsman, McGregor wanted Stradins to experience the Sisters Country - even when Stradins wasn't so sure.

The pair hiked to an ice cave in the Three Sisters Wilderness.

"Brent push me in and say, 'Harijs, don't worry. It so beautiful.'"

Latvia is well-forested and beautiful in its own right, rich in big oak trees for Stradins to mill out. But, Stradins noted, "we have not mountains; no waterfalls."

He was struck by the beauty of Proxy Falls.

McGregor has been taking Stradins to meet friends and share dinners, to give him an experience of life in this part of America - something his relatives are very eager to hear about.

Stradins left October 10 for the 30-hour flight to his home country - rich in new experience and friendship.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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