Anthony Siupinys

My name is Anthony Siupinys. I am an Artist/Craftsmen. I was born on August 11, 1972 in Baltimore, Maryland and am now living with my wife and two daughters in Newbury, Ohio. I have been working with wood for as long as I can remember. I started out, as a young boy, working with my grandfather who was an all around handy man. He would pay me a couple of dollars here and there to help him out after school and on weekends. This is how I learned to use basic hand and power tools. At the time, I never thought it would amount to anything. My mother is very talented as well. She used to design and make small woodworking projects for the Lithuanian organizations that we belonged to. She currently weaves materials for authentic Lithuanian folk costumes. I grew up in a family where having the ability to create something with your own two hands was a talent to be appreciated and valued.

When I started High School, I remember my mother and I sitting down with the school counselor to outline my schedule. We sat there looking at a list of classes that were available to Freshmen. The list included English, Algebra, History, Science and all the way at the bottom of the list was Woodshop. I was so excited. I remember jumping out of my seat and saying "woodshop, I have to take woodshop," My mother knew that I loved to work with my hands, therefore, she was very supportive of me. I continued taking woodshop throughout all four years of High School. During my Senior year, I was made shop foreman guiding and instructing under classmen. My woodshop teacher even helped me out by getting me my first job at a pattern making shop where I made wood patterns for foundry use.

I knew at this point that woodworking was going to be a part of my life. After working at the pattern shop for about a year, I decided to move on and try my hand at cabinet making and custom picture frame making. I learned a lot from all the woodshops that I worked at. Then I finally found the job that challenged me and allowed me to apply my skills in building Pipe Organs. I built custom pipe organs for churches, schools, and museums. I gained a lot of recognition through newspapers and television several times. I really enjoyed this type of work because it was different and somewhat of a lost art. After a few years of working for the Organ Co., I started designing and building furniture and wood products for myself on the side. Immediately, this type of design and creation clicked for me. I started dreaming about one day starting my own woodworking business.

When I was 23 years old, I married my high school sweetheart and had two beautiful children with her. At this time, I was still working for the Organ Co. I really depended on the security of my weekly paycheck to support my family. It seemed like the dream of starting my own business was slipping away.

As the years went on, the projects I designed and built on the side were starting to evolve into something different. I remember making a small keepsake box. As I began to glue up the four sides, I stood back and thought to my self, "man, is that boring," and I thought, "What if I were to make the sides curve, put small feet on it, and make the lid out of different type wood?" So I made these changes and it turned out beautifully. It was at this point that I decided everything I made had to be different. The small projects I was making on the side were evolving into Artwork.

After being at the Organ Co. for 11 years, the industry was starting to dry up. I was still enjoying building pipe organs but the work had started slowing down considerably. I felt like my job was in danger. I needed to do something fast. What was I going to do? How as I going to support my family? Should I start looking for another job? No. I want to be an Artist. I want to do full time what I was doing on the side. With the love and support of my family and friends, I am now doing it. I am now designing and building wood furniture and accessories. I am loving every minute of it.

My Artwork is greatly based upon nature. If you go outside and look at all the natural things around you, you will find no two things are exactly alike. You will also notice that there are no straight lines, some trees are living and some are dead, some grass is green and some is brown, and some flowers are flourishing while others are dying. While many people would consider these things to be imperfections, I consider them to be perfect. This is the way nature intended it to be. I design and build my furniture by incorporating many curves and designing each piece as a unique one-of-a-kind, not to be duplicated.

The lumber I prefer to use is locally grown hardwoods (oak, cherry, walnut, maple etc.). I use every bit of it (sapwood, heartwood, discolored wood). I like working in this manner because it gives my furniture plenty of character and individuality. While most of my work is designed and built to be sold online to an interested individual, I do take on commissions in any style and wood type. Please give me a call if you are interested in purchasing an existing piece or having one designed and built just for you.