Tom Januhowski was born and raised in southeast Texas where fishing , hunting, and outdoor activity wasn’t just a way of life, it was life. From an early age Tom had a keen interest in fish, birds and wildlife in general and was always amazed at the intricacies of any form of nature. Long before there was an internet, the only way there was for a young boy to explore and expand one’s interest in a subject matter was the now extinct, mail order catalog. It was there, in one of those catalogs, that Tom sent off for a “do it yourself” taxidermy kit. Needless to say, the kit and the results produced were very disappointing (not to mention messy).  That may have been the beginning and the end of Tom’s very short taxidermy career, but it was actually the spark that ignited a lifetime of other creative endeavors.  In addition to the fascination with wildlife, Tom also had a keen interest in woodworking. It wasn’t until later in life that he realized that he could combine his woodworking skills with his fascination for nature, to create one-of-a-kind works, and put him on a creative path that would last a lifetime.  His first woodcarving came from a piece of 2 by 4 that was lying on the garage floor where he transformed that into a stylized carving of a fish, complete with a varnish finish and a pedestal base purchased from a hobby store. That initial, somewhat crude carving , still holds a special place in his home and is a reminder of how it all got started.

Soon Tom, a self-taught artist,  was entering competitions with his creations. His very first competition resulted in several awards, and to his amazement, a  sale  of one his carvings. At that time, Tom was focusing on doing realistic painted fish carvings with minute focus down to the very last detail and nuance of the color. It was that attention to detail and anatomy that resulted in Tom receiving a “Best of Show” and purchase award from the prestigious Louisiana Widlfowl Carvers and Collectors Guild, in New Orleans,  for his realistic fish carving.

The painted carvings were always a big hit with the show attendees; however, he realized something that was a blessing and a curse at the same time. People were always commenting that the painted carvings as well as the habitat were so realistic that they couldn’t possibly be made out of wood. They must be a resin cast or some other molded product, or maybe even a taxidermist mount.  While that was flattering and frustrating at the same time, Tom also noticed that the people eventually gravitated towards the natural, unpainted carvings that he also had on display; items that showcased the true beauty of the wood itself. It was there that people could actually grasp the concept of a “wood carving” without the misconception of it being a molded casting or some other fake, mass-produced object.  Tom decided at that point to focus on stylized works  that enhanced the natural beauty of the wood itself combined with elements of realism, color and texture. 

Since then, Tom has incorporated his artistic skills into “functioning art” as well. These items include carved fireplace mantels, carved entry doors and inserts, live edged tables and other objects that are functional in everyday life, yet they combine the natural wildlife themes that are pleasing to those who also share a love of the outdoors. Practically all of the materials used in Tom's work are locally sourced and most are salvaged items, downed trees, discarded driftwood, or re-purposed woods.

Tom remains an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He and his wonderful wife Melissa, who is a constant supporter of his endeavors, live on beautiful Lake Livingston in southeast Texas. The home they built is surrounded by nature and wildlife and is an endless source of inspiration. On any given day, their property may be visited by great blue herons, mallard ducks, bald eagles, deer, egrets, migratory birds in endless numbers, hawks, an occasional fox, and of course, fish. The fish are always there, right out the back door.