Mike Coon

Bio

Mike Coon I Woodturner Utah wood artist Mike Coon creates one-of-a-kind vessels that celebrate the grain, movement, warmth, and beautiful imperfections of the material itself. His connection to woodworking began in childhood, helping his father remodel their family homes. Years later, re-establishing his own woodshop and buying a lathe became a bucket-list goal. Five years into woodturning, what started as a hobby has, as Mike puts it, become “more of an addiction.” Most of Mike’s work begins with urban timber, giving wood that might otherwise be discarded an entirely new life. Occasionally, a commercially produced turning blank catches his eye, or a particular piece calls for professionally dried wood. Regardless of its source, Mike allows the material to lead. Rich figuring, spalting, knots, unexpected variations, and distinctive grain aren't imperfections to hide - they are part of the story. The result is work that feels remarkably warm and light in the hand. His hand-turned bowls and vessels live somewhere between functional object and sculpture, each shaped and finished individually and each entirely its own—a reflection not only of the maker’s hand, but of the tree from which it came. Mike has exhibited his work in several Park City galleries and at multiple juried art festivals throughout Park City and the surrounding region, including participation with the Park City Artists Association and the Wasatch Back Art Festival. At Juniper + Fire, we love work that lets the material tell part of the story. Mike’s does exactly that.