Michael Mathieu

As a young boy growing up in North Bay, Ontario, Michael was allowed a lot of freedom to explore the world around him. He would spend hours walking through the woods around his home. For more than 25 years, he developed a love of woodworking, building tables, shelves and rustic furniture. His desire to explore the bush is now stronger than ever. Michael’s passion for woodworking and exploring the great outdoors has led him carving burl wood into unique freeform bowls and vessels. Michael says, “Finding a great burl is like finding a diamond in the rough”.

Box Elder Burl | 18x16x12

A burl is a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk or branch that is filled with small knots and swirls. These rare tree burls are very unique in colour, shape and size, and therefore his finished pieces are all one-of-a-kind. Most of his burls are harvested locally from dead or damaged trees, and unwanted wood that logging companies leave behind. Our rugged northern landscapes produce some spectacular burls that are unique to the area. For Michael, true inspiration is found in the shape of the burl and the area from which it grew. When people see his work, Michael would like them to feel grounded and connected to the natural world. In Michael’s work, you will see a rustic, organic edge to remind us of the wild spaces from which it came. His goal is to create art that reveals the soul of the tree. The warmth and beauty of each piece will draw you in to explore it further.

Yellow Birch Burl | 18x18x8

Michael is a self-taught artist who takes an intuitive, spontaneous approach to his craft. Each burl presents a new challenge, and he loves working with the irregular shape of the burl revealing intricate patterns and unexpected beauty within. The work is physically demanding, but the end result is extremely rewarding. Visit Michael’s website at Northwood Creations