The soul of ancient wood, shaped by Scott & Stephanie Shangraw, a collection of fine art wood sculptures now available at Sue Bickerdyke Interiors

Imagine the raw beauty of salvaged logs and burls, each one chosen for the story it tells — transformed through chainsaw, grinder, and years of self-taught mastery into sculptures that evoke fluidity, movement, and wonder. Delicate waves, intricate folds, tunnels, and ribbons emerge from the wood, brought to life with dichroic glass inlays, patina techniques, and textured surfaces that shimmer and shift with the light.

Place a Shangrila Woodworks sculpture in your home and it becomes far more than décor — it's a testament to the endless possibilities of the natural world, shaped by human hands and guided by an artist's vision. With each piece, you invite the beauty and authenticity of nature into your living space, knowing that no two creations will ever be alike.

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Our artistic journey with wood began as a pursuit to uncover the hidden beauty in nature's raw, unrefined forms. With every piece we create, we strive to transform salvaged wood into stunning sculptures that convey the fluidity, movement, and wonder of the natural world.

At the heart of our work is a deep respect for the materials we use. Each log and burl we select tells its own story, waiting for us to reveal its essence. This process starts with the powerful strokes of the chainsaw, where the broad shapes of the design emerge, capturing the foundational spirit of the sculpture. From there, we refine the piece using grinders and other tools, shaping delicate waves, intricate folds, tunnels, and ribbons. This meticulous process results in sculptures that evoke the illusion of movement, as if the wood itself were alive and flowing.

Our creative approach is both intuitive and intentional. Sometimes, a vision leads us to search for the perfect piece of wood to bring it to life; other times, the material itself dictates the form it will take. This dynamic relationship with our medium keeps our work fresh and grounded, reflecting both the intentionality of our vision and the serendipity of the artistic process.

Nature remains our greatest inspiration. Living amid its beauty allows us to infuse our work with a sense of authenticity and reverence. We are fascinated by the fluidity and organic forms found in the natural world, which we seek to echo in our sculptures. Moreover, the elegant forms of glass art inspire us to explore new possibilities in wood, pushing the boundaries of what is traditionally expected from this medium.

As self-taught artists, our journey has been marked by continuous exploration and innovation. Each sculpture is a culmination of years of learning, experimentation, and a deepening understanding of wood's capabilities. We incorporate unique inlays, patina techniques, and textured surfaces to add layers of depth and individuality to our pieces, ensuring that each creation is distinct and memorable.

Through our work, we aim to celebrate the beauty of nature, highlighting its complexity and grace. Our sculptures are not just artworks; they are a testament to the endless possibilities within the natural world, shaped by our hands and guided by our vision. We hope our art inspires others to see the world through a lens of curiosity, appreciation, and wonder.

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