Meet Austin Heitzman | Woodworker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Austin Heitzman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Austin, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I don’t believe I chose an artistic career, rather it chose me. I have always possessed a drive to create things, which eventually lead me to attend art school for drawing and painting. I soon discovered wood and became absolutely fascinated in it as a material. Every tree is an individual and produces its own original grain pattern much like a painting. Different species have different colors and textures, regional soil composition can affect grain coloring, taking all factors into account there is infinite variation in lumber. I am always on the hunt for something new and interesting; in my furniture nature is as much the artist as I.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Custom furniture and bonsai stands are my art. In both I strive to source the most inspirational material and often highlight natural “defects”, or live edge, of the tree as ornamental decoration. I source my material from the urban forest in a practice know as urban logging. This involves milling city and orchard trees that are removed; in the past such material would be chipped up and thrown away. I have gotten where I am today through luck and perseverance. To me luck is simply being aware of opportunity when it is available and perseverance buys time for opportunity to develop. For instance I practiced bonsai as a hobby before I crafted bonsai stands professionally. My pursuit of bonsai exposed me to the thriving PNW bonsai community and provided the knowledge to appeal to this market. I reached out to bonsai professionals in the region, and luckily my craft found their support.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am based in Portland Oregon, and to me the greatest asset of this city is its natural surroundings. I have recently become fascinated with Oregon’s abundant fossil history and there are many spots one can easily find fossils within an hour of the city. There are also many bonsai hotspots in the area that should not be missed including the Portland Japanese Garden, Bonsai Mirai just out of town near St. Helens and the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way Washington, a little trek but worth it all the same.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I don’t believe anyone can achieve success alone, and over my years in business countless people have helped me in countless ways. If I had to select one person who has contributed the most to my business and story it would be my wife and fellow craft artist, Ashley May Jewelry, who taught me how to make a living in art. It was thru her I discovered crafts and learned of venues I could market my creations. She has supported me through tough times and pushed me to achieve. Without her guidance I believe my career would still be a rudderless dream.

Website: http://www.austinheitzmanfurniture.com

Instagram: @austinheitzmanfurniture