THE ARTWORK
All of our beautiful arts work are made from the rare and exotic woods rosewood, ebony, afzelia, burl, etc. of Laos. They carry the shapes, form, and the sense of nature.
The process begins with the selection and careful drying of rare wood (most of the Flower Vases came from the root of an old natural falling tree that was left over for more than 100 years). Hollow out the inside by chain saw and grinding machine, some pieces have been roughly turned on the lathe to remove access wood from inside to get the bottom shape, hand carved by chisel to get close to the design, rough sanded by using 24 grit sanding disk, a lot of hand work, and hand sanded to get to the final shape. Finally, finished sand by 400-600 grit sand paper. Finishing is depended on wood, some piece has been simply oiled and waxed, and some has been seal and finished off with lacquer or polyurethane.
THE ARTIST: Souphom Manikhong
I was born in Laos, A small country surrounded by mountain with all kinds of woods and trees.
I came to the United States in 1979 and began to study what I love best " Wood working". In 1984 I completed a four-year courses of carpentry and cabinetmaking, with my passion for wood, I continue to work as a cabinetmaker in a small factory.
After I became an American citizen, in 1986, I started my own studio/work shop, making boxes, furniture, gift items and little toys for kids.
I returned to Laos in 1990 to visit my country, with the exposure to exotic wood I see in my homeland, my works is ever- changing, woodworking become serious and I strive to create something extraordinary. My works inspired by nature shape and form that I find in the trees, flowers, water, wind and fire. Each piece is one of a kind, finished with extreme care.
I am currently working with my brother, Souphong Manikhong on the large pieces in our studio/workshop here in Sacramento, California.
