Deer Ridge Artistry in Wood

John's interest in woodworking began at an early age building birdhouses in the shop of his father, "Tupe" Cahall. In 1977 a handyman tool set given as a wedding gift from his dad started him on the journey of artistry in wood. Recently John has directed considerable attention to woodturning and has developed a style that reveals the inner beauty in God's magnificent trees. Working primarily with locally available wood such as Walnut, Cherry, Cedar, Ash, Osage Orange, and Maple, "one of a kind" boxes, platters, bowls, and other vessels are produced.

In addition to woodturning, John also exhibits his talents through the art of Intarsia. "Painting pictures with wood" is what John calls it. The ancient art of Intarsia was a form of wood inlay using pieces of different woods cut into thin tiles to create picture mosaics. John shapes and joins individual pieces of various woods utilizing the grain patterns and colors to make segmented 3D art pieces.

A native of Brown County, John resides on a beautiful nature-rich property near Georgetown, Ohio. Most of his artwork is designed from wood destined for the firebox. "I love to take a piece of wood that no one wants and turn it into a cherished keepsake."

He is quick to remind us that "God created it, I just reveal it."

John is a member of the American Association of Woodturning, the Ohio Valley Woodturners' Guild, and the Scroll Saw Association of the World.