ABOUT THE ARTIST
"I want everything I make to look like it grew that way."
~ Artie Copozzi
Artie Capozzi began his woodworking life in the traditional way: learning the craft of cabinet-making at Palomar College. It wasn’t until he lost everything in a wildfire that his passion for creating with Manzanita took off. Without formal training in working with the unique branches, Artie allowed the dense wood to teach him how to work with it. Artie preserves live edges, fashioning free-form artworks that drop jaws and are proudly displayed by their new owners.
Working with Manzanita has become a meditative experience as Artie interacts with the wood, following his own intuition and especially the feel of the wood in its organic form. He lets the wood itself show him where it wants to go and what it wants to become. Artie finds inspiration in the unique nature of the stark desert landscape, where his work looks like it arose from the desert floor.
The journey is completed when Artie honors each piece with semi-precious stone inlays, enhancing the rich red Manzanita with contrasting veins of stone. Pieces of functional art created by Artie have delighted buyers in all parts of the country. Many of Artie’s customers return to collect additional works that speak to them. Artie carefully builds his pieces to last forever, giving future generations the opportunity to enjoy Artie’s work indefinitely.
Artie Capozzi is best known for his amazing carved & inlaid ‘Phoenix Feathers’ which have become sought after – they quickly sell out. The local Kumeyaay Indian Tribal Council were so impressed with them that they commissioned Artie to create custom feathers to honor their elders.
He has been recognized by the Del Mar Fairgrounds Design in Wood, and featured on local television by the iconic Larry Himmel, beloved San Diego storyteller, who ironically lost his own home in the 2007 Witch Creek firestorm.
2009 Best Use of Reclaimed Materials
Design in Wood
2023 Honorable Mention
Design in Wood
ABOUT THE MATERIALS
“Land owners saw them as a future fire hazard and sought out to have them removed from their lands. I saw the new life within them waiting to be discovered.”
~ Artie Copozzi
MANZANITA
In 2003, the tragic loss of Artie Capozzi’s home and its contents in the Cedar Fire left him with an unexpected gift and a new direction. The nearly 300,000 acre firestorm - California’s first megafire - ultimately burned down over 3,000 structures. Fifteen people lost their lives. Left in the ashes of the fire were thousands of dead Manzanita trees spread over miles of charred land.
Several of the 40+ species of Manzanita are California endangered plants, which means that killing or possessing them is prohibited by the California Endangered Species Act as well as the federal Endangered Species Act.
This extraordinary wood, considered trash to the wildfire cleanup crew, became inspiration for Artie’s gorgeous functional art. Artie reclaimed the dead Manzanita branches, and consequently found a missing piece in his spiritual practice. A dedicated yogi (ranked 4th in the US), Artie connected with the resilience of the dense wood, its uniquely twisted branches reminiscent of advanced yoga asanas.
Each piece of Manzanita art has become a treasure of discovery. As charred remains are removed and each new branch slowly comes back to life, the Manzanita’s characteristic shapes and deep red wood grain, along with the fire’s artistic addition, take form in his hands. The completed item becomes a symbol of rebirth and a reminder of the awesomeness of nature. Reclaimed, resurrected, and just like the phoenix rising from the ashes, Artie’s creations are powerfully, beautifully, representative of life, death and new life again.
SAGE ROOT
Sacred Sage Root - reclaimed roots of the esteemed high desert southern California sage bush commonly used for its cleansing properties in ceremonial smudging. When finished, sage root looks as if it is made of bone from some ancient creature.
GEMSTONE INLAY
Various semi-precious stones are inlaid on every piece, adding a beautiful contrast to the deep red wood. Artie uses turquoise, malachite, sugalite, azurite and chrysocolla.
Various semi-precious stones are inlaid on every piece, adding a beautiful contrast to the deep red wood. Artie uses turquoise, malachite, sugalite, azurite and chrysocolla.
Turquoise has been used in amulets for protection for millennia, and is said to be connected to the healing energy of water, the life-giving element that sustains the planet and the origins of life itself. This energy of renewal and rejuvenation is what may give the Turquoise crystal meaning its unique ability to support healing intentions and overall well-being.
Malachite is one of only four minerals that comes in two colors, and is found in copper mines around the world.
Malachite is said to be a reminder to turn over a new leaf. If drawn to the vibrant Malachite stone, it could mean that it’s time for a change. Known as the stone of transformation, the Malachite properties help bring energy and focus to new growth.
Sugalite is a beautiful and rare gem that is often opaque.It gets its lovely colors from the manganese traces in the stone. Sugilite is said to be associated with spiritual growth. With energies of sugilite, it is believed that it may increase wisdom and genuine spiritual love.
Azurite features deep contrasting shades of blue, which comes from its fusion with Malachite, a closely related mineral that contains nearly the same chemistry. It is said that Azurite is a gem for enhancing creativity and inner wisdom because it cleanses and activates the third eye chakra.
The blue and green hues of a Chrysocolla crystal lend the stone the energy of the planet and vitality. The Chrysocolla crystal is said to enhance life-force energy, inspiring fresh energy into pursuits. The soothing water-like aspects also adds an infusion of calming energy, helping to move fluidly and harmoniously through all aspects of life.
Only environmentally friendly penetrating oils are ever used for sealing, finishing and preserving each piece.
Each piece is hand buffed to a shined glass finish.