www.slipperyrockgazette.net VOLUME 19, ISSUE 231 THE BEACON OF THE STONE INDUSTRY OCTOBER 2013 Stillwater Stoneworks LAS VEGAS FABRICATOR & SCULPTOR APPROACHES STONE FROM A DIffERENT ANGLE TEVE Hitman does not by Stacy B. Williams like to call himself an artist, because he says Photos by Johnny Vizina not all art has to be functional. But the man with the philosophy behind Stillwater Stonework maintains a fluid bal- ance of artistry, functionality and crafts- manship in his finished products. He just approaches things from a different angle. His stone furniture and home accent pieces are one-of-a-kind creative, and his philoso- phy comes from a deep reservoir of passion, ambition and, well, water. He grew up on the New Jersey coast and water has always been the source of influence and inspiration in his stonework. Hitman has been sculpting since he was a boy and made his first surfboard at age 10. “There is constant movement in water,” Above: 3-tiered round patio table, 42˝ diameter. Hitman says, and he seeks to activate some Stone: 3cm Giallo Antigua on a steel-threaded of that movement with the stone he uses and reinforced ceramic pillar. in the sculptures he makes. Left: Kitchen counters and coordinating cladding Each project is approached with innovation from a honey-colored slab of Giallo Antigua. and fluidity according to the client’s desires Backsplash is coordinated Ivory and Noche trav- and space. Whether he is installing a white ertine. Note the matching cake stand made from a column of Giallo with Black Granite base and top. travertine marble countertop or designing a granite table, Hitman strives to produce At the first sight of Stillwater Stonework user-friendly stonework. His clients should exquisite stone furniture pieces, the artistic be able to move around a room as comfort- imagination of Hitman is clearly visible. ably as water glides around stones in a creek. His sculptures can bring a majestic pres- However, he has spent the last 15 years out ence into any room. Hitman’s stonework in the commercial landscape and desert-like is as unique as the clients that commission heat of Las Vegas, NV. He clearly misses the the projects. But his artistic philosophy sea and all the sensory aspects it brings to is complex, including but not limited to natural, geometric and historical elements. He is often the first to admit that Stillwater In This Issue Stonework designs are not for everyone. Cover Story: Steve Hitman of Stillwater In the spirit of an old-school craftsman, Stoneworks brings the fluid influence of Hitman believes “if you want something water to his stone furniture philosophy done right, you have to do it yourself.” He John Vizino (7) admits that he is a bit of a recluse and he Peter M. Marcucci’s presents a profile on Maine Sculptor Jesse Salisbury its environment. The heat and sun can really and most of his work still comes exclusively by enjoys working on his own. make things stagnant, he explains. referral. He has worked with clients all over the He is extremely precise with his mea- New product review of the Stone Pro ADA “I have to really dig deep and remember country and a large concentration of them in the surements and always makes large tem- compliant Vanity Countertop Support that, at one time, all of this [Nevada] was Vegas area. Some of his pieces are currently on plates of the destination space first. His …And more articles to help increase under water.” display at Portofino Gallery, an opulent home aim is to minimize the install time so as your bottom line with advice written Before the downturn of the economy a few decor and art gallery in Nevada. not to invade or disrupt the client’s home. by fabricators, installers and business years ago Hitman was doing a lot of business “Oddly enough, a lot of my customers are His workshop is a sanctuary to him, and he consulting pros. with projects backlogged over a year. His transplants from the east coast,” Hitman says has the same respect for his clients’ homes. website went live less than five years ago, fondly. Continued on page 2 Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | 2 OCTOBER 2013 SLIPPERY ROCK GAZEttE STILLWATER STONEWORKS LAS VEGAS FABRICATOR & SCULPTOR APPROACHES STONE FROM A DIffERENT ANGLE Freeform sculpture from Durango travertine. Hitman makes great use of re-purposing scrap pieces of exotic stone. Center: Display Pedestal, White Carrara marble. Hitman’s stone columns double as a display pedestal and also a classic sculptural statement. Above: T-Jetty table and Angel Falls. T-Jetty is a classic pedestal hall table crafted from a contrasting blend of Rojo Alicante and Opal Creme marbles. With that said, his approach to customer ser- known to blend the rugged aspect of stone next The octagon design serves two purposes, vice, whether he is tiling a bathroom or forming to its polished version to show off its versatility. according to Hitman. Each seat at the table a bookend, is collaborative and personal. He is Throughout his life of shaping stone, his allows clear and easy viewing of each diner quick to take a mental note of the shapes, colors surroundings have also been shaping his phi- to facilitate conversation. Additionally, all and rhythms in a room to aid in his interpretation losophy. After spending more than a decade eight places are adequately fit for a full place of the client’s personality. Many of his clients in the dry heat of Las Vegas, his influences setting on par by dining etiquette standards. are involved in every step of the process, from and directions have shifted, but the momentum His first prototype table is a stunning speci- the original design down to the final polish. that drives his work has not wavered. Hitman’s men made entirely of Absolute Black Granite. “My work is about creating their vision,” he newest design is meant to benefit and sustain a The tabletop is about six feet in diameter with says, “But in a way, the goal is always to exceed different kind of flow: the flow of conversation. each place setting measuring about 26 inches. expectations.” Stillwater Stonework’s new octagon-shaped The beveled edges, says Hitman, create an This ambition, in part, is what makes Stillwater dining room tables are Hitman’s response to inclusive space for the diners. He also admits Stonework stand out. frustrations of losing face-to-face communica- that “absolute black is very difficult to polish” Once the overall design is decided, finding tion and a perceived breakdown of the family so having the natural ring around the perime- beautiful stone is the key to making the piece. unit. The historical purity and purpose of the ter was a simple touch to give the archetype/ Most of his materials come from local suppli- dining experience has been disrupted by soci- model a clean look. He made corbels in the ers, and Hitman has an appetite for rare and ety’s dependence on technology and the expec- stand for a wing effect for outward movement. exotic slabs. His workshop has a multitude of tation to rush in our fast-paced environment, Although being landlocked provided space salvaged stone scraps and tools. While creative Hitman explains. Life in Las Vegas has made for Hitman to look at movement in another passion fuels the initial phase of his stonework, this increasingly clear to him. way, water is still his favorite muse. He seems Hitman is a bit more practical when it comes to “I’m also just adamantly opposed to the con- intent on returning to the east coast someday production. ventional geometric configurations of dining soon. Until his thirst is unbearable, the sky’s “If I could only have one tool, it would be the room tables,” he says. the limit. variable speed angle grinder by Makita. I can The conceptual design of this octagon-shaped To find out more about Stillwater cut, grind, sand, water polish and everything dining room table is fundamentally rooted in Stonework, visit the website www.stillwa- with it.” improving the communal dynamics of a group terstonework.com or email Steve Hitman at Many of Stillwater Stonework’s larger installs gathering. In fact, the piece is called Togather [email protected]. integrate motion into the room by combining dif- because that is its essential purpose (not a mis- ferent edges on counters and tiles. Hitman is also spelling). Shop www.braxton-bragg.com for Stone & Tile industry products Visit www.slipperyrockgazette.net for more Stone & Tile industry news | SLIPPERY ROCK GAZEttE OCTOBER 2013 3 Zig-Zag, a four-piece laminated pillar of Ivory travertine sandwiched over a Giallo Veneziano center, mounted on a Noche Above: Hitman’s octagonal Absolute Black travertine base, granite dining tables promote his concept of 42 inches tall. “Togathering,” designed to improve the com- munal dynamics of conversation in a group gathering. Appropriately, the prototype table is called Togather. The tabletop is about six feet in Angel Falls, illuminated stone sculpture: diameter with each place setting measuring about 18˝ x 12˝ Honey Onyx and English Brown Granite Photo Courtesy Nicole Purcell, 26 inches. The beveled edges, says Hitman, create Moonlighting Photography an inclusive space for the diners. Learn to polish the Edgemate way! Make perfect polished edges without an inline polisher Classes: Nov. 6-7, 2013 First Day: Second Day: You’ll learn the advantages of the Sinkmate You’ll learn how to use the Edgemate 100 to System on how to cut out sinks and vanity bowls create perfect profile edges.