Forma Ligna Studio

Forma Ligna Studio My journey as a wood artist began with quiet admiration for the hidden stories within trees — the way each grain, knot, and curve holds the memory of time.
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From this respect grew a devotion to revealing the inner beauty and warmth of wood, transforming it

08/18/2026

The latest project, a 9” x 5” bowl with a textured band made of Sweetgum finished with walnut oil. This bowl has heartwood and some contrasting sapwood with spalting. Special thanks to Marie for the tips on v-grooves.

08/18/2026

The latest project, a 9” x 5” bowl with a textured band made of Sweetgum finished with walnut oil. This bowl has heartwood and some contrasting sapwood with spalting. Special thanks to Marie for the tips on v-grooves.

I'm stunned, grateful, excited, and truly honored to share this. A piece I turned, "Inner Glow" received the sole award,...
08/06/2026

I'm stunned, grateful, excited, and truly honored to share this. A piece I turned, "Inner Glow" received the sole award, The People's Choice Award at Turn on Chicago 2026, a Midwest regional woodturning symposium.

This was my very first submission to a show, so to have it recognized means more than I can express. What makes it especially humbling is who was casting the votes. The people walking through the gallery were almost all woodturners themselves, some well-established, some nationally known, some just beginning their journey, and all very talented. To be chosen by the very community whose craft I'm still learning is something I cherish and will not forget.

Thank you to everyone who saw the glow from my piece from across the room, paused, looked inside, and voted. And thank you to the makers and demonstrators who make it feel possible to try. This is just the beginning. I'm grateful to be on this journey and look forward to the future.

To celebrate, I will send one winner a hand-turned bowl. I will record the use of a random generator with all the names of those who have followed me on Facebook or Instagram. You will get one chance for each follow on Facebook and one chance for each follow on Instagram. If you follow in August, you will get one additional chance to win. I will randomly choose a winner on 9/1/26 and announce it shortly after with a short video of the randomized generator.

Follow me in Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/formalignastudio?utm_source=qr

Thank you,

Michael – Forma Ligna Studio

08/03/2026

For a while now I’ve wanted to bring color into my work, and I finally took the leap with this piece. I call it, Oceana.

Made of local neighborhood ash, turned on the lathe, then finished with dyes, paint, and a high gloss for the first time. What I love most is that the wood still speaks. The deep blue sinks in, but the grain keeps rising through it in those fine gold lines, like currents moving deep across the ocean.

I’m still finding my way with this, and I’ve got a lot left to learn. But this is the piece where it started to feel like mine. Grateful to be growing, and glad to share it with you.

Please take the time and follow me on Instagram for some exciting news next week. Thank you.

https://www.instagram.com/formalignastudio?utm_source=qr

07/25/2026

Just a short 30 second clip to relax and decompress a little.

07/19/2026

A new fun little project. Sushi boards made of locally sourced curly maple and walnut from trees that were downed in a storm. Featuring a walnut cat inlaid into the top with two hand turned cups for wasabi/soy sauce, and ginger. Hand turned chopsticks complete the board. I hope you enjoy the project and video.

04/11/2026

The start of breathing a second life into a Maple tree that toppled in the neighborhood last week.

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Chicago, IL
60660

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