The Cortez Table

In his shop on the banks of the Upper Manatee River in Bradenton FL, I create functional art for the home. Working with reclaimed materials found on and around the river, and skillfully crafted by hand using traditional woodworking techniques, each piece is truly unique.

Woodworking has always been a love and a huge part of my life as long as I can remember. My father was a professional furniture maker at one point, and some of my best childhood memories involve watching and learning from him. In previous years I was a surfboard shaper. The craft isn't to far from woodworking and I apply many of the same techniques and skills used in surfboard making when creating my wood products, it's a very hands on detailed approach which makes for a very unique final product each time.

I love wood working and creating things by hand. I spend my free time exploring the manatee river searching for fallen trees and logs to work with. I'm drawn to the concept that it can be transformed into something beautiful and functional.