Rick Fussell is an imaginative wood sculptor who is driven by an incredible passion for self-expression through art. His works are often noted for their unique style, originallity, and technique.
Locating the authentic post office box doors is the first step in the procedure. Rick has a cliental of various collectors who he purchases the doors from who are located around the United States. The doors are purchased in their original state and are then cleaned in an ammonia carbonated solution. The gears and locking mechanisms are taken apart cleaned and repaired as necessary. The doors are then polished with a brass wire wheel and a high gloss lacquer finish is applied to seal the door. The windows inside the doors are then cleaned, numbered and re-installed. The next step in the process is the wood selection for the bank bodies. Most woods used in this process are imported from West Africa or South America. Some domestic woods are used however; most of the woods used are exotic woods from other countries. Each piece of wood is hand picked and orientated in a way to ensure the best use of the woods natural colors and grains within the piece. Once the body of the piece is created it is then hand sanded and coated with two coats of a high gloss lacquer to bring out the beauty within the wood. The door is then place within the piece and the entire piece is polished with beeswax. On exhibit will be pieces made from black walnut, purpleheart, birdseye maple, zebrawood, bubinga, makore, cedar, canarywood, and oak. The doors on exhibit will range from the late 1800’s up to the 1950’s. The type of doors will include Federal Eagles, Flying Eagles, Double Dial Eagles, Grecians, and Dial & Pointers
A certificate of authenticity is issued with each piece of art. On the certificate will be the type of post office box door, the door number, the wood type and the date it was created. Each certificate is signed and dated by the artist. Each individual piece of art is also signed by the artist.
