My Story

Richard Jackson Reclaimed Wood ArtistPeople say I am an artist, but as far as I’m concerned my work is an expression of my passion for nature and the beauty it inspires in me to create. I am fortunate to live in rural Missouri, surrounded by inspiration. I spend a lot of time outdoors walking these foothills of the Ozarks.

I try to capture nature in my photography, paintings, and woodwork. I work with all types of medium, experimenting often with unusual materials and textures. Sometimes, it works out – and others find beauty in what I’ve created. Most of my work consists of custom pieces for family or friends, and furniture for my own home. Recently I’ve been encouraged to focus on generating a collection of useful items.

When I pick up a piece of wood, the shape, wood grain, size, and unique characteristics determine the end result. I just start carving, whittling, grinding and sanding until that vision that forms reveals itself in the wood. I use old-fashioned hand tools because I like the feel of working with the wood. It is not within my nature to turn out bowls or cutting boards or spoons that all look the same. You can buy those anywhere if you need them. I get pleasure out of crafting each individual, unique piece. For me, that is the reason enough. My sister Pam is a webmaster and graciously launched this site on my behalf because she feels others will be interested to see what comes out of the workshop.

As I create new pieces, she will post them for you to consider using in your own home. After all, there’s only so many spoons, cutting boards, and bowls one man, one chicken, one cat, and two dogs need. So please, sign up for my newsletter if you’d like the first crack at new items, and you’ll be notified by email.

Thank you for taking the time to visit this website. It will give me great pleasure if you find something that appeals to you.

My Inspiration

The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum was established in 1986 to preserve and interpret the maritime history and heritage of Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It accomplishes this mission through an array of exhibits on shrimping, oystering, recreational fishing, wetlands, managing marine resources, charter boats, marine blacksmithing, wooden boat building, netmaking, catboats/Biloxi skiff, shrimp peeling machine and numerous historic photographs and objects. Recently completed is the Wade Guice Hurricane Museum within a museum, featuring 1400 square feet of exhibit space and a state of the art theatre. The Art gallery will feature regional and national maritime artists with exhibitions rotating throughout the year, and Richard’s shark carving is on display.