Meet Shaun
A life of observation, a background in engineering, and a director’s eye for the human story, all meeting at a single point of light.
FINDING THE ESSENCE
Making things has always been my creative outlet. Long before I held a chisel, I held a soldering iron. Electronics engineering was the trade that chose me, a language of logic and components that allowed me to build, to fix and understand how things work.
Along my journey a pattern emerged: my curiosity and creativity always involved light of some kind. This curiosity eventually led me into a fifteen-year chapter in video production, as a camera operator, lighting technician, director and producer. I felt at home behind the lens immediately, capturing the purposeful light, both that of the human spirit and the environment.
I became a seeker of meaningful stories. I spent years conducting in-person interviews, learning how to ask the right questions to find the soulful story that mattered and frame it in a way that others could see.
I realize now that this was my true training. That director’s instinct remains at the heart of every piece I create, whether I am following my own internal dialog for a limited edition, or engaging in the quiet, intentional dialogue of a commission. In every work, my quiet intent is to allow a specific essence to find its home within a vessel of wood, washi, and light.
Making things has always been my creative outlet. Long before I held a chisel, I held a soldering iron. Electronics engineering was the trade that chose me, a language of logic and components that allowed me to build, to fix and understand how things work.
Along my journey a pattern emerged: my curiosity and creativity always involved light of some kind. This curiosity eventually led me into a fifteen-year chapter in video production, as a camera operator, lighting technician, director and producer. I felt at home behind the lens immediately, capturing the purposeful light, both that of the human spirit and the environment.
I became a seeker of meaningful stories. I spent years conducting in-person interviews, learning how to ask the right questions to find the soulful story that mattered and frame it in a way that others could see.
I realize now that this was my true training. That director’s instinct remains at the heart of every piece I create, whether I am following my own internal dialog for a limited edition, or engaging in the quiet, intentional dialogue of a commission. In every work, my quiet intent is to allow a specific essence to find its home within a vessel of wood, washi, and light.
THE RECOGNITION
I have always been drawn to paper lanterns, the Japanese Andon tradition specifically, for as long as I can remember. The beginnings of a thread, unknown at the time, that would eventually reveal itself completely.
In 2018, during my first woodworking course, I found myself pulled toward one particular form of Japanese lantern, that I came across online. What stopped me was how the washi was gracefully framed in wood, it captivated me. I have since become obsessed with this particular form over time. It wasn't until I designed and completed my first lantern, that the unseen thread finally revealed itself to me (large lamp in the middle, lid on the right).
The lantern form, to me, is meant to be so much more than a mere light source. It is a vessel for storytelling, a canvas that can hold the depth of a human journey. I saw that the true essence—the Honshitsu (本質) of the light vessel, was in how it holds the intangible, which is then reflected through form and light. The handcrafted frame, the part that stopped me originally, the graceful path that holds, supports and frames, the spirit within.
I have always been drawn to paper lanterns, the Japanese Andon tradition specifically, for as long as I can remember. The beginnings of a thread, unknown at the time, that would eventually reveal itself completely.
In 2018, during my first woodworking course, I found myself pulled toward one particular form of Japanese lantern, that I came across online. What stopped me was how the washi was gracefully framed in wood, it captivated me. I have since become obsessed with this particular form over time. It wasn't until I designed and completed my first lantern, that the unseen thread finally revealed itself to me (large lamp in the middle, lid on the right).
The lantern form, to me, is meant to be so much more than a mere light source. It is a vessel for storytelling, a canvas that can hold the depth of a human journey. I saw that the true essence—the Honshitsu (本質) of the light vessel, was in how it holds the intangible, which is then reflected through form and light. The handcrafted frame, the part that stopped me originally, the graceful path that holds, supports and frames, the spirit within.
CAPTURING THE BREATH OF LIGHT
Lanterns illuminated by a real flame have always been magical to me. They possess an aliveness that transforms a space. To me, this is such a vital part of the vessels I create.
Commercial imitations of a real flame rarely inspire; they miss the specific, restorative ebb that makes candlelight irreplaceable.
This challenge led me to a three-year journey of refinement. Drawing on my roots in electronics and a deep love for tradition, I worked to replicate the way a flame breathes and brings a space to life, without the concern of an open fire surrounded by wood and washi.
Each LED flame is hand-assembled by me, a process that takes a notable amount of time to complete, because it is necessary. Available in two distinct rhythms, these custom flames are the technical heart of the vessel, when chosen. They represent the old made new, a return to the simplicity of pre-electric times.
Lanterns illuminated by a real flame have always been magical to me. They possess an aliveness that transforms a space. To me, this is such a vital part of the vessels I create.
Commercial imitations of a real flame rarely inspire; they miss the specific, restorative ebb that makes candlelight irreplaceable.
This challenge led me to a three-year journey of refinement. Drawing on my roots in electronics and a deep love for tradition, I worked to replicate the way a flame breathes and brings a space to life, without the concern of an open fire surrounded by wood and washi.
Each LED flame is hand-assembled by me, a process that takes a notable amount of time to complete, because it is necessary. Available in two distinct rhythms, these custom flames are the technical heart of the vessel, when chosen. They represent the old made new, a return to the simplicity of pre-electric times.
SACRED GEOMETRY AND PHILOSOPHY
I have always been drawn to the circle. It is a signature design and philosophical aspect of my work, how it frames and also how it represents an internal portal. It is also a map of my internal discipline. Inspired by the Zen Ensō (円相), the circle represents a mindful practice—the acceptance of "what is," and the moment when the mind is free to let the body create.
Over many years and thousands of curious hours in study on eastern philosophy, mindfulness, and the human spirit, I have grown my capacity to hold the stories that are entrusted to me. It is a daily practice. It is how I have prepared myself to hold your story deeply, with the reverence it deserves.
The handmade approach, the hands that have made, matters now more than ever. In a world of digital noise and mass-production, a handmade object carries the signature of all the souls who have been a part of the process. It is a reminder that reaching any summit, like the mountain parable I hold dear, is never done by our own effort alone; the mountain helps us up just as much as we helped ourselves. All this is intentional, for a keeper who will one day awaken the vessel and know why it all matters.
I have always been drawn to the circle. It is a signature design and philosophical aspect of my work, how it frames and also how it represents an internal portal. It is also a map of my internal discipline. Inspired by the Zen Ensō (円相), the circle represents a mindful practice—the acceptance of "what is," and the moment when the mind is free to let the body create.
Over many years and thousands of curious hours in study on eastern philosophy, mindfulness, and the human spirit, I have grown my capacity to hold the stories that are entrusted to me. It is a daily practice. It is how I have prepared myself to hold your story deeply, with the reverence it deserves.
The handmade approach, the hands that have made, matters now more than ever. In a world of digital noise and mass-production, a handmade object carries the signature of all the souls who have been a part of the process. It is a reminder that reaching any summit, like the mountain parable I hold dear, is never done by our own effort alone; the mountain helps us up just as much as we helped ourselves. All this is intentional, for a keeper who will one day awaken the vessel and know why it all matters.
A LEGACY OF LIGHT
My journey has become more meaningful over time. What began as a curiosity has become my vehicle to bring to the world in a meaningful way, turning a simple form into a light vessel that holds a story, inspires, and touches the heart.
I think of these works as my "continuation body," a term I love from the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. It is the understanding that we are continued through the seeds of peace and presence we plant in the world. These vessels become quiet companions for your own daily rituals, helping you become more present, loving, and grateful with each passing day.
When a lantern finds its keeper, it captures joy in its purest and simplest form. Our paths meet in that quiet moment when you first awaken the light vessel and feel a deep resonance with what has been given form.
I look forward to hearing more about your wishes, and how, together, we can help spread more joy, peace, love, and harmony.
My journey has become more meaningful over time. What began as a curiosity has become my vehicle to bring to the world in a meaningful way, turning a simple form into a light vessel that holds a story, inspires, and touches the heart.
I think of these works as my "continuation body," a term I love from the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. It is the understanding that we are continued through the seeds of peace and presence we plant in the world. These vessels become quiet companions for your own daily rituals, helping you become more present, loving, and grateful with each passing day.
When a lantern finds its keeper, it captures joy in its purest and simplest form. Our paths meet in that quiet moment when you first awaken the light vessel and feel a deep resonance with what has been given form.
I look forward to hearing more about your wishes, and how, together, we can help spread more joy, peace, love, and harmony.