Randal Gatewood was a free spirited Texan with a big heart who made beautiful puzzle boxes. He was known to many in the puzzle community for his expertly handcrafted, unusual creations which he sold under his Quagmire Puzzle Box label and which carry the uplifting spirit of his favorite saying, “I can, I will”.
The Yin Yang Master Puzzlebox by Randal Gatewood completes a cycle of its own, and represents a celebration of a life and a tribute for a death.
Leaving Oklahoma and the Stickman Cross Box, we make our way down to Texas (don’t mess with us) where we find another master of wooden puzzle madness named Randal Gatewood. He ups the ante with not one but two crosses, in his “Double Crossed” Puzzle Box.
Way back in the “days of old”, according to the story, the city’s valuables were held in safes which were duly guarded by designated “Keepers”. The Keepers were personally responsible for the security of these safes, and holding onto the key that opened them.
Randal Gatewood must have loved the ideas contained in these centuries old teachings. Zen, and Taoism, which Zen is strongly influenced by, appear to have factored into a number of his works.