Artists/Makers

ALAN MARTIN

Alan Martin has been a Wisconsin resident for over 40 years, deeply immersed in the changing seasons and their impact on local wood species. He finds inspiration in the natural life cycle of trees, observing how they age and transform. When he encounters storm-damaged wood or fallen trees, he views these materials as both a challenge and a source of artistic inspiration. Alan's work seeks to revitalize these elements of nature, transforming them into compelling pieces of art that reflect the resilience and beauty of the natural world.

MYKOLA KULISHOV

Mykola Kulishov, born in Ukraine and a PhD graduate in Photonics from the Institute of Cybernetics of Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, began woodworking influenced by traditional Ukrainian techniques. After moving to Montreal, he integrated power tools into his craft, creating intricately carved bowls from single pieces of green wood. Inspired by photonics and nature, Mykola explores paradoxical themes like contemporary versus traditional and lightness versus mass in his gravity-defying sculptures, showcasing his focused creativity and deep appreciation for organic beauty.

SEAN PHILIPS

Sean's approach to carving mirrors his philosophy on life itself: guided by intuition and feel, he forgoes straight lines and perfect circles in favor of embracing the unpredictable nature of salvaged green wood. Each piece, be it a bowl, vase, or fine art, becomes a unique expression of this ethos, as Sean allows the wood to dictate its final form. With a meditative approach akin to conversation, he transforms discarded trees into practical and beautiful works of art, ensuring they live on with their own distinct character and personality.

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PENE TURNER

Pene Turner is the true definition of a maker. Not wanting to be contained or limited in style or medium, Turner has developed a multiple layered and diverse skill set using an extensive variety of techniques and products. Soft fluid organic lines are the foundation of her wooden forms, with the stark contrast of land and coastlines providing a limitless source of inspiration for fibre art. The spaces in between allow for continued exploration. Working almost entirely with natural products provides the link connecting all of her creations.

BRENDAN RAWLINGS

Brendan Rawlings is a driftwood artist based in Woodbury, Devon, who began his artistic journey in January 2019 after creating a driftwood shark for a relative. The idea for his now business Zen Wood Design, came about a few years ago while residing and working in Dubai. Managing a thriving fitness company in the bustling city, he sensed a missing piece within himself. Upon returning to Devon with his family in the summer of 2017, Brendan realized that the absent element was nature, a fundamental connection that he believes is not only a right for every individual but a necessity for maintaining both mental and physical health. Recognizing nature's ability to nourish the soul and promote healing, Brendan finds working in and with nature to be an enlightening experience. He expresses deep gratitude for the decision to return to the green and pleasant land.

Shayla Giroux

Born and raised in Calgary, AB, Shayla Giroux moved to Vancouver, BC, when she was 20 years old to pursue a career in Fine Arts. She attended Emily Carr University of Art and Design, where she studied Sculpture. After graduating from university, she secured a job in a cabinet-making shop and began an apprenticeship. Currently, she works in public art fabrication and feels like she has landed her dream job. She is a bit of a workaholic, but when she is not busy being a shop rat, you can find her at the river with her dog or out on a bike-packing adventure!

SYLVAIN GAUTIER

Sylvain Gautier, a French artist, transitioned from graphic design to woodworking after an encounter with humpback whales. Inspired, he pursued cabinetmaking, creating marine-themed wood carvings. Sylvain's woodcarving predominantly features marine themes, reflecting his deep connection to the ocean.

ROB WOODS

Meet Rob Woods, a woodworking enthusiast who discovered their passion during the COVID lockdowns in 2020. Three years later, this newfound love has evolved into a successful bespoke furniture-making business. Rob Woods finds inspiration in the transformative process of crafting unique pieces from raw timber, embracing the lessons learned from failures along the way.

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Lauren Wood

Lauren Wood, a maker and furniture designer from the UK, lived up to her surname by winning the TV series Handmade: Britain's Best Woodworker in 2022. After an artist in residence position at university, Lauren pursued a postgraduate program in teaching and spent a decade as a woodwork teacher. With a deep passion for woodwork and creating, particularly free-standing furniture, Lauren has always been a practical person, constantly engaged from Lego to DIY projects from a young age.

CHRIS 'MACCA' MCKENZIE

Macca, born in the scorching Australian outback, developed an unwavering passion for nature amidst sprawling sunsets, meandering creeks, and crackling campfires. From the age of 5, he channeled his artistic talents into capturing the essence of the world through intricate lines, vibrant colors, and expressive forms. Dedicated to painting, drawing, and sculpting, Macca immortalized the beauty of nature's landscapes, creatures, and people throughout his life.

Mike Stinnett

Mike Stinnett is an American wildlife artist, woodcarver & successful YouTuber. He sells his creations under 'Stinnett Sticks' via his website & Etsy, runs carving courses & has published a fully illustrated how-to carve a rattlesnake waking stick book.

MICHELLE THEVENOT

Michelle Thevenot is a self-taught wood sculpture artist from Saskatchewan, Canada. Thevenot has a deep connection to nature and transforms sustainably-sourced logs into one-of-a-kind sculptures for nature-lovers. The carvings often use chainsaws, an arsenal of power carving tools, and hand-brushed accents of paint and stain to bring the carvings alive with eye-catching color, contrast, and detail.

RYAN COCHRANE

Canadian Olympic kayaker and woodworker, Ryan Cochrane has a bachelor in Psychology, a minor in biology and in our opinion, a Masters in crafting kayaking paddles!

Jason Weymouth

Jason Weymouth was born in Bangor, Maine, and holds a Master’s degree in business from Husson University. 13 years ago, after seeing a photograph of his first childhood toolbox received at 4 years old, he decided to try to make a wooden spoon. Since that first spoon he has followed his calling to create some of the most beautiful and functional kitchen spoons that are sold to people around the world.

Eric Spencley

Eric started woodworking in high school and developed an instant passion. He then went on to The Ohio State University to pursue an Engineering degree and lost touch with building. Two years after graduating and moving to a new apartment, he realized he needed a dining table. Being unsatisfied with store bought options, Eric borrowed a miter saw and built his first project since high school. After that first build, he knew I had to bring this passion back.

KATHRINA NELLIS

I was born and raised in Kansas but spent most of my adult life in North Carolina. I was a stay-at-home-mom for a number of years and also taught high school math for a while. I always believed strongly in setting a good example for my kids and demonstrating to them that everyone has creativity and artistic ability. I didn’t discover woodworking until I got together with my husband, Tracey, but before that I had my own small business selling sewn items like blankets and plush toys for babies and toddlers. I was also an avid quilter during those years.

TRACEY CHEUVRONT

I grew up in a suburb of Wichita, Kansas, got a degree in biochemistry, and worked in developmental biology research for ten years. I was effectively blindsided by wood in my early 30s. Prior to that I had no experience or even interest in woodworking, and I can recall hating every minute of the required woodshop class in middle school where we were graded on how identical our project was to the teacher’s example.

Claes Larsson

Claes Larsson is a Swedish woodcraftsman and artist. He is trained in industrial design and traditional woodcrafts and has recently taken steps towards art and sculptural work. In 2018, he became the second person in Swedish history to get a ‘Journeyman’s certificate in traditional woodcrafts’, something he is quite proud of. His next goal is to get a ‘Master Craftsman’s certificate’.

Kevin Inkster

When Kevin is not coming up with new inventions, he is power carving up a storm in his shed creating sculptures, furniture and other fun projects for his family and friends.

Paul Jackman

Paul Jackman is an artist, woodworker, and internet personality most known for his nearly 400,000 subscriber YouTube channel Jackman Works, and, more recently, his Netflix show Making Fun.

Jimmy DiResta

Since I was a little kid in my dad’s shop I have been experimenting with tools and materials. Learning how to use and implement them. Now 40+ years later that’s all I have been doing: Making things and teaching how to make things involving metal, wood, plastic and more.

Anne Briggs

Anne is an artist based in Seattle who travels across the United States to teach woodworking, writes regularly for “Furniture and Cabinetmaking” magazine and is currently authoring a book on bootstrap woodworking and farming.

Michael Alm

Michael Alm is a Seattle based artist and woodworker. After a number of years working for museums, galleries, and other artists, Alm found the perfect space for building out his dream shop. In 2014 he left his day job and started Alm Fab.

Carl Jacobson

Carl Jacobson enjoys sharing his woodworking and wood turning passion to inspire others. Carl and his wife have a mobile shop traveling the country promoting the craft of woodworking and has weekly how-to-videos on The WoodShop.TV

Ed Elliott

He works from his studio in rural Herefordshire (West Midlands, UK) and exhibits widely across the UK and abroad. He has received national acclaim in the UK for his innovative work in wood. With public pieces in six counties he is widely recognised for his ambitious pieces and his striking style.

Erich Perkins

Erich started woodworking as a way to relax and be creative. He needed a motivating hobby to distract him from his daily grind. He started out cutting urban trees and making slabs. Then Erich had an epiphany, logs are heavy. So he started a business called Rescued Oregon Timber with two other guys, Rob Hammerly and Scotty Schwartzkoph. They continue to reclaim urban trees but have added power carving, pyrography and table manufacturing. They are associated with the Urban Lumber Network West. Erich is forever evolving and learning more about himself through the crafting of wood and the people associated with it.

Nick St. Amand - TC Timberart

Nick runs TC Timberart, a Veteran owned and operated small business custom woodworking shop. In his former life he was a letter carrier for the USPS. He has done framing and carpentry side jobs for most of his life. Nick started his business just doing freehand carved signs, 4 years ago. Since then he has grown so much in his woodworking career, grown his skill set, and found a love for power carving.

Tim Sway

After a 15+ year career as a recording and performing musician, Tim “retired” from music to make tangible art and wares from reclaimed and sustainable materials - to “Make Worthless Things Priceless.”

Shane Christensen

Shane Christensen is a professional sculptor living on the Sunshine Coast, QLD Australia.

Shane calls himself an ‘environmental artist’ which is an interesting combination of his past life working in Conservation and Environmental Protection, and his current direction which is Chainsaw Carving.

Vince Austin

Originally from the Lake District, England, Vince emigrated to Western Australia in 1994 where Perth has remained his home. An artist, inventor, musician, Vince’s creative genius is nothing short of incredible.