Step into a world where craftsmanship meets fine art. Where every curve of a hand-turned bowl and every joint in an heirloom furniture piece tells a story of precision, passion, and timeless elegance.
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Available exclusively at 6311Arts Gallery.
Hand-turned from fully burled cherry, this 7¾-inch bowl reveals the rich complexity of the wood’s natural figure. Striking burled grain patterns radiate from the rim, flowing around pockets of deep resin that highlight the natural fissures and movement within the burl. The dense form is balanced by a gently sloping rim, lending a sense of lightness to its sculptural profile. Finished with a hard oil wax, the surface is smooth and luminous, showcasing the warmth and depth of cherry’s natural color.
7-3/4 inches x 3-3/4 inches.
An expressive, polished work - where the material’s raw intensity meets refined craftsmanship.
Hand-turned from laminated maple, walnut, cherry, and red oak, this 9-inch bowl celebrates movement through contrast. Waves of dark and light wood flow seamlessly across its surface, creating a sense of rhythm and balance. The undulating strips meet in soft curves that guide the eye around the form, emphasizing both precision and natural variation. Finished with a food-safe hard oil wax, the piece reveals a quiet luster that enhances each species’ color and grain.
9 inches x 2-1/2 inches.
A study in harmony and motion, crafted to bring warmth and subtle complexity to the table.
Hand-turned from highly figured and spalted maple, this shallow 9 ⅞-inch bowl reveals a landscape of movement and tone. Undulating grain and pockets of burl ripple across the surface, blending warm golds with soft gray veining from the natural spalting. Each shift in figure catches the light differently, giving the piece a sense of motion. Finished with a food-safe hard oil wax, the surface glows with a gentle luster that enhances its layered character.
9-7/8 inches x ¾ inches.
A study in natural rhythm and organic beauty - refined, warm, and unmistakably alive.
Hand-turned from ash, this 9-3/8-inch bowl is a study of the sea rendered in wood. The surface is dyed a deep, oceanic blue that pools and shifts from rich sapphire in the hollows to luminous cobalt where the light catches it, while the wood's own open grain runs through in fine lines of gold, flowing across the form like currents moving deep beneath the surface. A slender band of gold traces the rim, framing the movement within and lending the piece a quiet formality. The gently sloping external curve lifts the form from its base, lightening the whole and giving it a sense of graceful, rising motion. Finished with a high-gloss water-based polyurethane, the surface holds a wet, glass-like clarity that deepens the color and sets the gold aglow.
9-3/8 inches x 2-1/4 inches.
A vision of water and light - where flowing grain and luminous depth meet in exquisite harmony.
My ethos
My journey as a wood artist began with a quiet admiration for the hidden stories within trees. The way each grain, knot, and curve holds the memory of time. Much of the wood I work with is locally sourced, often from trees that have fallen naturally in storms or declined in health. Giving this material a new life is both a responsibility and an honor. I strive to transform what nature leaves behind into forms that can be held, cherished, and passed down.
My process is slow and deliberate. Each piece is shaped by hand and guided by the natural character of the wood rather than imposed design. I see myself as a steward who reveals what nature has already perfected. I refuse to compromise on materials, detail, or sustainability. Every curve, finish, and proportion is shaped with intention and respect.
Nature remains my greatest teacher. The flow of grain, the meeting of light and shadow, and the regenerative calm of the forest influence every bowl and every piece of furniture I create. These elements remind me that true artistry is not invention but collaboration. It is a dialogue with the material itself.
I create for those who value meaningful work. This includes collectors seeking fine art and individuals looking for pieces that bring warmth and presence into their homes. My hope is that each piece offers a sense of calm, renewal, and connection. Built to endure as heirlooms, they carry the integrity of the craft and the quiet spirit of the trees they once were.
Michael Johnson
Contact
FORMA LIGNA STUDIO
