Mr. Roboto
Meet Michael Lawson of Atomic Wood Designs! We had a blast getting to know Michael and his amazing art.
Tell us about the products you make.
Vibrantly colored 3d wood art, hand carved & machine carved. We also engrave board games, ornaments, and home goods!
What is your favorite product that you create?
I do a series of female faces "Daughters of the Sun, Moon, Wind, and the Androids Daughter" those are probably my favorite.
Is there a story behind your business name?
I'm a nerd, I like 50s sci-fi, and well, I wasn't clever or self-centered enough to just use my name. I'm actually super introverted.
Daughter of the Wind
What does your art-making process look like?
Each piece of art is meticulously fawned over, cussed at, and ultimately after many revisions, presented as a finished piece of work. There is much love, and not a small measure of hate in each piece representing frustration and just enough of my personal approval to be fit to be viewed by other people.
Is your shop offering anything new/special/different at the Bash?
Featuring Olive wood carved chess boards this show! I've made 5 special ones get them while they're.. uh.. wood!
The Android’s Daughter
What led you to start your business? How did you get started and how the journey has been so far?
If 2020 taught us anything, it's that sitting at a desk and making the bare minimum of money to support and sustain a minimum lifestyle just wasn't for everyone. Now I accomplish nearly the same result but instead of sitting at a desk, I make art instead!
How did you get to where you are today? How long did it take?
Years and miles, but I think of myself as more of a 1998 Honda Civic Coupe: Cypress Green Pearl paint. Sure the check engine light is on, the tires need rotating, and there's a petrified fast food fry in the back seat, but I'll get to point B with no problem. You're not arriving in style, the AC is on the fritz, but I'm nimble in traffic!
Mr. Octopus
What was first item you ever made/sold?
I sold my first piece to a chap at the Dallas Irish festival, and he promptly dropped and broke it. I have learned since that moment to bring bubble wrap.
What makes your pieces special?
Having done this for some years now, it is still surprising that people don't understand that when I put something on display it's not just a piece of artwork, it's also a piece of my taste, and being an introvert and not insubstantial piece of my feelings of acceptance and hope of connection. This got really deep all of a sudden.
Describe your workspace. We’d love to see a photo!
I work in a workshop that's a mix between organized chaos, and chaotic evil chaos. Adding pictures might get an OSHA violation.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received as an artist?
Marry up, you need a partner who makes money or you'll starve.
What do you love most about running your business?
Working with the public would be great if it wasn't for all the people. - an introvert's proverb.
Blacklight booth for Atomic Wood Designs
And that’s a wrap!
We laughed, we cried… we laughed a bunch more! Many, many thanks to Michael at Atomic Wood Designs for such a delightful artist interview.
Connect with Atomic Wood Design:
Shop on Etsy: atomicwooddesigns.etsy.com
Instagram: @atomicwooddesigns
Facebook: AtomicWoodDesigns