Joel Shepard

Though my formal education is in languages, a chance summer job in the carpentry shop at Western Washington University re-ignited an interest in working with my hands, learned at an early age from my father. He didn't teach me specific skills but by observing him I came to know that the most mundane objects of daily life can be creations of grace and beauty.

After completing a degree in Russian at Western, I went to work for the acclaimed modernist Harry Lunstead, making custom furniture for offices and homes. On the side, I made pieces of my own design and started showing in galleries and craft shows alongside young upstarts such as Ron Ho, Patti Warashina, Dale Chihuly and the burgeoning Skagit Valley School painters. Seeking something more, I went back to Western and earned a degree in education; this allowed me the opportunity to teach art and shop in the Lake Washington School District. I continued to show in galleries, steadily building a clientele.

After teaching for five years I opened my own studio, which has grown and evolved ever since. This path has brought my work to the homes and offices of many prominent Northwest cultural, community and business leaders, and given me the chance to work with architects and designers whose work can be seen throughout the world. My furniture has been featured in Architectural Digest, Metropolitan Home, Architectural Record, Fine WoodWorking, The Seattle Times and numerous regional publications. I continue to live and work on Capitol Hill in Seattle.

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