SHANGRILA WOODWORKS Ar t Where Nature Ends

Scott and Stephanie Shangraw have both been involved in the arts from an early age. Thi love of art has evolved into their passion of working with wood together. Thy have become award-winning artists, showing in museums and galleries, and their work is sought after by collectors from all over the world.

Scott began his woodworking in high school, where he had a teacher who recognized his talent and encouraged him to develop it. He took his advice and taught himself how to work with wood.Together, they started creating fin furniture over 25 years ago and eventually began carving bowls to have smaller items to sell at art shows. From there, their pieces became more elaborate and sculptural in design.

Th Shangraws’ artistic sculptures take shape with the crudest of tools, the chainsaw. Scott has learned to master the chainsaw and create beautiful works of art. He uses the chainsaw to remove the bulk of the wood and begin the shaping process. The he adds folds, waves, curves and tunnels and other unique designs with various grinders. Scott’s work is constantly evolving and changing.

When the carving is complete, Stephanie takes over, using her keen eye and talent as a jewelry designer and metalsmith. She inlays various gems and stones, sands the pieces to a smooth touch, and applies the finish completing the work.

Scott and Stephanie’s inspiration not only comes from the beautiful, peaceful Zuni mountains surrounding their home in Candy Kitchen, New Mexico, but also from their love of wood and being able to shape and create magnificent orks of art together. Thy take special pride in all their creations and are proud that their carved sculptures are “one of a kind” collectors’ items to be appreciated and passed down for generations.

Both Scott and Stephanie love bringing new life to discarded logs and forest-reclaimed woods, such as Alligator Juniper from the mountains of New Mexico. Endless scouting for just the right logs and burls, brings abundant possibilities, as well as helping prevent forest fies and improving the watershed in the mountains of New Mexico. Besides the Alligator Juniper, which can range in age from 300 to over a thousand years old, they also work with mesquite, burls, exotics and other woods that intrigue them. Carving through into the center of the tree reveals its life from the beginning to the end, bringing out its Beauty and Spirit.