Four Finger Wood Art

08/22/2026

There’s something pretty satisfying about standing back at the end of a project and thinking, “Yep… that turned out pretty darn close to what I had rattling around in my head.” 🪚🪵

Finished up this handcrafted bench today, and this one has a whole lot of Wyoming built into it.

I wanted it to feel rustic without being ordinary, so I played around with different wood tones, angles and patterns throughout the build. The geometric woodwork across the back became one of my favorite parts, especially that center design. Then I added the Lander, Wyoming engraving, coordinates and llama silhouettes across the front.

And because apparently I can’t just build a normal end panel, an old Wyoming license plate found itself a permanent new home. 😂

Most of the fun for me is taking an idea, figuring it out as I go, changing things when they don’t quite work, and eventually watching a pile of wood turn into something that has its own personality.

A few imperfections? Absolutely.

A few moments when I probably wondered why I started this? Definitely.

But that’s part of making something by hand. When it’s finished, those little quirks are part of the story—and there isn’t another bench exactly like it.

Made in Lander. Inspired by Wyoming. Built one piece at a time. 🤠🌲🪵

08/16/2026

There’s something pretty satisfying about finally crossing a project off the “I’ve been meaning to do that…” list. 🪵🔨

This woodshed has been on my to-do list for several years. You know the kind of project—every time you walk past it, you think, “Yep, I really need to get to that.” Then another season rolls around…and there it sits. 😂

Well, I finally decided it was time.

What surprised me most? After years of procrastinating, it only took two days to tear the old setup apart, salvage what I could, and rebuild it into something I’m pretty darn happy with.

I wanted to keep it rustic and simple, using the natural character of the logs and wood rather than making it look too polished. It’s a woodshed, after all—it ought to look like it belongs next to a stack of firewood.

There are still a few finishing touches to make, but the hard part is done, the wood has a proper home, and I can finally walk past this spot without hearing that little voice saying, “You know…you really should fix that.” 😆

Several years on the list.
Two days of actual work.

Apparently, procrastination was the most time-consuming part of the project. 🤦‍♂️😂

🪵🔨 Another backyard project in the books.

08/01/2026

Go take a walk and have a sit! I hope you enjoy this as much as I do 😍🏔️🦙

After the first two benches he built were stolen, a Lander man is giving it a third attempt. He's built yet another wooden bench and gave it to his…

07/31/2026

Every piece of this bench has a story.

This custom commission is being built almost entirely from repurposed materials—including weathered barnwood, vintage license plates, and a variety of reclaimed wood that might otherwise have ended up forgotten. Giving these materials a second life is one of my favorite parts of creating custom pieces like this.

Here’s a progress update as this one starts to come together. It’s about halfway finished, and I can’t wait to see the final result take shape.

Thank you to my customer for trusting me with this custom build. Stay tuned for the finished reveal!

07/18/2026

Sometimes the best projects start with wood that someone else was ready to throw away.

This bench is about halfway finished, and every single piece of wood you see has been repurposed from local sources here in Fremont County. Nothing came from a lumber rack at the store—each board had a previous life and a story of its own.

One of my favorite parts of working with reclaimed wood is that you don’t build around perfection… you build around character. Every knot, weathered edge, saw mark, and color variation becomes part of the final piece instead of something to hide.

It’s a little slower than working with new lumber. Every board has to be cleaned, inspected, milled, and convinced to cooperate. 😄 But I think the extra effort is worth it.

I’m about halfway there. The arms, finishing details, sanding, and final finish are still ahead, but it’s finally starting to look like the bench I had pictured in my head.

There’s something satisfying about taking materials that have already served one purpose and giving them another life—hopefully one where people can sit for years, enjoy a cup of coffee, watch a Wyoming sunset, or simply slow down for a while.

I’ll post another update as this one comes together.

—John

06/27/2026

The replacement bench is finished and back in place.

Third time’s a charm.

This one now sits where the previous bench was taken, looking out over the same Wyoming view that made the spot worth building for in the first place.

Built by hand, shaped by a little stubbornness, and made to belong right where it stands.

I’ve been spending a lot of time back in the shop this year, and this project was one I really wanted to see through. I’m happy to finally have it finished, set in place, and ready to be enjoyed again.

Sometimes the best answer is just to build another one.

06/21/2026

Father’s Day vibes ☕🎶

Just me, a good coffee, a flaky pastry, some music, and a Wyoming sky putting on a show. Sometimes the best gift is a few quiet minutes to hit pause and enjoy the view.

Grateful to be a dad. Grateful for the journey. Grateful for moments like this.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.

05/08/2026

Whenever I visit other places, I make it a point to support local businesses—not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because that’s where the real flavor lives.

Today’s stop: my very favorite local coffee shop… that just happens to be a truck. Great coffee, great people, and exactly the kind of small business worth going out of your way for.

If you’re nearby, go find and caffeinate accordingly.

04/19/2026

Spring finally has me back out in the shop, and I’ve been putting fresh ideas to work.

I’ve got new pieces in progress, more projects on the bench, and a lot of Wyoming-inspired work coming together. Keep an eye out for upcoming pieces that will be posted for sale, a few donation items for good causes, and some random free art pieces that may start showing up around Lander and the surrounding area.

Shop dust is flying again. More to come.

04/17/2026

Left: a photo I took in 2022 at Poipu on Kauai’s south shore.
Right: the acrylic painting I just finished tonight after starting it this past January.

It’s pretty satisfying to see a memory go from camera lens to canvas, and even better to finally call it finished.