About Bob

Bob Thon’s love affair with wood began as a young man in high school. Like many, Bob was introduced to woodworking in high school. From that time on he has enjoyed working with wood in many fashions.

It was the loss of his mother over ten years ago that spurred him on to the passion he has today. At first, it was an avenue to help him, along with his father, to give outlet to their grief while binding them even more tightly together. This quickly became an obsession with finding the art inherent in carving figures and relief scenes.

Bob looks for the expression of art in the piece of wood. He often uses or creates a pattern that expresses a scene that speaks to him. His ability to see the finished art in a piece of raw wood is a quality that sets him apart. His endeavors have included woodcarving, relief carving, scrollsaw or fretwork, and woodburning (pyrography).

Works from Bob’s Art in Wood have displayed in art galleries, craft and art shows, and private collections. Each piece is signed and numbered and is a unique, personal creation, produced by hand.

Bob often works with Basswood or Birch veneer plywood. These woods produce excellent tonal quality and usually are readily available in the Midwest. Butternut is also a favorite due to its beautiful graining and finish.

Woodburning (pyrography) has really set him apart as an artist. The majority of this work brings you back to the north woods, where deer, moose, and bear roam freely. You’ll also see evidence of a love of bygone eras in his train, early cars, lighthouses, boats, and farm scenes.