Troy Thompson

About Troy Thompson

Troy Thompson, an accomplished turned wood artist based in Richland, Washington, has been honing his craft since the tender age of ten. Growing up amidst the lush landscapes of a ranch near Roseburg, Oregon, Troy was surrounded by an abundance of natural resources like Oak, Fir, and Maple. His journey into wood sculpting began with carving slingshots for himself and his brothers, a pastime that ignited a lifelong passion for transforming raw, often overlooked materials into cherished pieces of art.

After a career that took him away from woodworking, Troy returned to his craft with vigor upon retiring in 2019. He quickly immersed himself in the local art community, joining the Mid-Columbia Wood Turners club where he collaborates with fellow artists from across the region. Troy is renowned for his innovative approach to woodturning, where he breathes new life into cracked and discarded wood by integrating elements such as crushed stone, metal, and vibrant epoxy-resin inlays. His unique creations are celebrated in various galleries, including the Peephole Gallery in Yachats, Oregon, and the Allied Arts Gallery in Richland, Washington.

Troy's work is characterized by a deep appreciation for materials that others might overlook, reflecting his belief in the potential beauty of the unconventional. With apple root burls as his canvas, Troy embellishes each piece with meticulous carving and inlays of metal and Liquid Glass, resulting in stunning, tactile works that invite admiration and wonder. His artistic vision is continually evolving, as he aspires to blend other mediums, such as bronze casting, with his wood creations, pushing the boundaries of traditional woodturning.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Troy’s rich life experiences add depth to his work. His past roles, from a computer security expert collaborating with the FBI and Department of Defense to a competitive rodeo participant in his twenties and thirties, have instilled in him a unique perspective on resilience and transformation. Today, Troy not only creates art but also mentors high school students in woodturning, sharing his passion and skills with the next generation of artists.