joshua johansen - wood artist
Joshua was introduced to the world of wood from a very early age. His Grandpa ran a sawmill, and Josh recalls going up the mountain with his Grandpa to help out for as long as he can remember.
At the age of eight Josh began to whittle small animals out of bones that his Grandmother used to boil for him and he soon progressed to wood, making use of the small discarded pieces of Koa at the sawmill.
It was when Josh went to college, and took part-time a job at a cabinet maker to earn some money to help with his expenses, that he started to really explore working with wood on a larger scale. With the help of his friend and mentor, the manager of the cabinet shop, Josh started to produce some exceptional pieces of furniture drawing inspiration from iconic woodworkers such as Sam Maloof and Henry Weeks.
In 2007 Josh decided to learn how to turn, and was soon producing traditional Hawaiian pieces. In 2009 Josh took over the family business, and started to experiment with his turning, seeing how far he could push both the material and his technical ability, taking inspiration from shapes and forms more traditionally associated with pottery.
Josh specialises in working with exceptionally figured, heirloom-quality wood which has been sustainably harvested from dead or dying trees.
Less than five percent of all Koa harvested is highly figured and each of Joshua’s hollow forms can take between six to eight months to produce from start to finnish. The result; a truly unique and exceptional collector’s item.
To contact Joshua about his work or to enquire about a commission piece please use the contact form on the website or email: elainerosemurray@googlemail.com
At the age of eight Josh began to whittle small animals out of bones that his Grandmother used to boil for him and he soon progressed to wood, making use of the small discarded pieces of Koa at the sawmill.
It was when Josh went to college, and took part-time a job at a cabinet maker to earn some money to help with his expenses, that he started to really explore working with wood on a larger scale. With the help of his friend and mentor, the manager of the cabinet shop, Josh started to produce some exceptional pieces of furniture drawing inspiration from iconic woodworkers such as Sam Maloof and Henry Weeks.
In 2007 Josh decided to learn how to turn, and was soon producing traditional Hawaiian pieces. In 2009 Josh took over the family business, and started to experiment with his turning, seeing how far he could push both the material and his technical ability, taking inspiration from shapes and forms more traditionally associated with pottery.
Josh specialises in working with exceptionally figured, heirloom-quality wood which has been sustainably harvested from dead or dying trees.
Less than five percent of all Koa harvested is highly figured and each of Joshua’s hollow forms can take between six to eight months to produce from start to finnish. The result; a truly unique and exceptional collector’s item.
To contact Joshua about his work or to enquire about a commission piece please use the contact form on the website or email: elainerosemurray@googlemail.com
