Cameron Stephens - &Zen - Woodenware and Marquetry

Decades later, that same creative spark found a new and unexpected sanctuary during the quiet isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world shuttered, I found myself returning to the solace of wood, seeking a "conceptual shelter" from the uncertainty outside. My path eventually led me back to the library—not just for silence, but for a deeper, more intentional exploration of fine carpentry. I discovered that woodworking could be a profound form of mindfulness, where the rhythmic sound of a plane and the tactile presence of grain offered a meditative escape. What began with a wobbly table at age six evolved into a stabilizing force for my mental well-being, proving once again that a few pieces of timber can build much more than just furniture.”