Autumn Breeze

Michael J. Rizza’s woodworking journey began with an introduction to furniture and carpentry by a close friend. He started by building cabinetry and furniture for himself, his family, and his friends. He eventually sought to create more artistic work, inspired by his Father’s talent as a well-known sculptor. 
His engineering background and his experimentation with geometric patterns led him to making end grain cutting boards. Using different woods species and grain patterns he was able to tap into the art of woodworking. 
When his close friend suggested woodturning, it was a natural next step. With the lathe Michael creates artistic bowls where the natural features of exotic wood determine the aesthetic structure and shape. No two pieces of wood are the same, and discovering unique blocks, slabs, and stumps is like finding a diamond in the rough.  
Coming full circle with his father’s inspiration, Michael’s work evolved into crafting geometric sculptures further accentuating intricate grains and patterns in exotic woods.