Jack Austin lives in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina with his wife, Kathleen, his youngest son Elliott, three dogs, five cats and a hedgehog named Sonic.

Retiring from the European automobile service industry about 16 years ago, he moved back up to Blowing Rock, NC. There he decided to continue working with his hands by interpreting and combining the local crafts artistry with that of the fabled retreat lodges of the Adirondacks and the Rocky mountains. The result is a unique art form not seen anywhere else.

Native materials drive the look of the art, and combined with Jack’s many special twists, it finds a place in just about any decorative scheme.

Working first in a converted hundred-year-old mountain general store and now in an old mountain barn, he creates useful and decorative items for homes throughout North America and Europe.

You will find no polished edges or gleaming finishes in Jack’s work. Simple and solid construction with deep respect for the materials and attention to fine detail is key to it all.

Although Jack’s art is unique, it might best be described as having much of a lodge and camp look. Polished woodwork and dovetail joints are left to others as Jack constructs grandfather clocks, table and mantle clocks, mirrors, tremeau mirrors, framed antique prints, and more, using rescued tree bark, twigs and rough sawn lumber.

Jack’s work has been chosen for features in many national publications and now graces both the city and country homes of more than a few celebrities and prominent national figures. Some of his designs have been retired in order to allow time for others to see the light of day, and some of those retired items have already become much sought after by those wishing to add to their collections of significant American folk art.

On a few occasions Jack has succumbed to the wishes of clients and has accepted commissions for the creation of such utilitarian things as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, lighting fixtures and other home details. He once even agreed to make all of the signage for a Texas ranch owned by an appreciative patron.

Cherished family heirlooms in natural materials will be Jack's legacy and his offering to those who appreciate fine American hand-made art.