About The Artist

 A North Carolina native, Robert Shuping has been working with wood for over 30 years, building custom homes and renovations in the Chapel Hill and Durham area as a “hands on” licensed general contractor, providing custom trim details, built in cabinets, creative decks and other special features.  In his shop in Chapel Hill he builds one of a kind furniture pieces and creative wood turnings including birdhouses, bowls, boxes and other unique items.  Although some pieces are created from purchased premium wood, Robert harvests a good deal of the wood himself from storm damaged trees and those otherwise being removed.  He cuts these logs, roots and burls in a way that exposes the most attractive figured grain each piece can offer.  A large variety of his locally harvested air dried wood is available for new creations.  Most of the harvested wood comes with its own story.  A Walnut tree uprooted during hurricane Fran, a Holly tree downed in the ice storm of 2003, and salvaged wormy Chestnut from an old piano are some examples.  With rare exceptions, most pieces are finished without stains or dyes and sealed with an appropriate protective and enhancing finish suited to its intended use.  All items he produces are available to view or purchase online at rsswoodworks.com.  Robert lives outside Chapel Hill with his wife of over 25 years with their 4 dogs and 2 parrots.