Over the past 76 years Richard Scarborough has worn a number of professional hats, but woodworking has been an ongoing passion. It started in the family woodshop in rural Virginia then continued in the Peace Corps in India where he taught woodworking to science teachers so they could build and improvise science equipment for their sparse school laboratories.

Native Wood Studio was started in 2002 in Malibu where he had the privilege of living in a log cabin (Lodge Pole Pine from Oregon) in the Santa Monica Mountains where wood is a constant presence. While clearing the property, he discovered his first burnt and crusted Ceanothus Rootball left over from the 1978 fire. A hundred hours of grinding and sanding later, a beautiful wood burl with intricate growth forms emerged from the burnt root. This led to an active pursuit of learning more about local wood species and the mysterious beauty of their hidden forms.

Since then, Richard has created a full wood shop for sculpting, turning and furniture making. With a portable lumber mill he engaged in urban forestry, saving trees from the dump and destruction. Richard was able to create his own lumber from these salvaged and rescued trees. This recycling produced unique lumber not available from commercial wood sources.

Native Wood Studio relocated to Weaverville, N.C. (Just north of Asheville) in September 2015. Richard brought 2 20’ containers full of slabbed lumber and rootballs from CA and supplements that inventory with lots of local lumber. Though his log cabin in CA will be missed, he now lives in a beautiful timber frame house. In creating many tables, he felt the need to be making his own metal bases and has consequently created a full welding and blacksmith shop.

As of January of 2017 Richard opened a gallery: Artisans on Main in Weaverville, NC with Leah Baker of Luminosa Lighting. The space will accommodate over 45 various artists and has been welcomed by the community.