Taylor Donsker is an artist/craftsman who built a permanent studio in Sebastopol after living for three decades in Los Angeles. Each of his pieces is the result of a gradually matured style developed as an apprentice under several of Los Angeles’ most well-regarded architects. His fascination with woodworking developed over a several-month guided tour throughout Asia, including centuries-old Japanese temples assembled from ancient timbers without glue or metal fasteners. Mostly self-taught, Taylor’s fascination with various materials stems from his belief that one must have an absolute interest in and a partial knowledge of everything. Materials are hand-selected in accordance with his philosophy, “Every material has a grain, a strength and a weakness, an origin and an end.” Donsker specializes in Claro Walnut, a rich hardwood that grows only in California and displays the most stunning varieties of color and figure of all Walnut trees. By working with responsible mills that specialize in salvaging diseased or felled trees whenever possible, he uses material that showcases the finest quality wood specimens with the least environmental impact.