Red Bluff woodworking artist Bruce Reno and his son Chico's Matt Reno turned a way of spending time together into a career.

The two reused burnt and damaged wood in Bruce Reno's studio, turning it into bowls, sculptures, and other objects.

"Their work was almost sold out (when they were delivered)," said James Mazzotta, the Manager of Enjoy The Store in Reading. 

Anna Austin, gallery manager of Chico Finds Design & Decor, said the best sellers are their bowls and vases. "Their work is really unique. People are attracted to them. Their work tells a great story."

He said that 63-year-old Bruce Reno has been a carpenter since high school. As a teenager, he was engaged in wood turning, carving and furniture making. While supporting his family, while working in the power company, he put art in a secondary position-only work on wood when he has a little free time. 

After retiring in 2020, Bruce Reynolds can devote more time to his woodcarving art. He makes vases, plates, urns, decorations, boxes, sculptures, "whatever the wood gives me," he said.

When he was not a wildlife biologist, Matt Reno collaborated with his father to plan and create projects.

It was not until 2016 that he discovered the relationship with his father in making bowls.

"My father bought a lathe in his shop, so I decided to give it a try," said the 39-year-old Materino. "I grabbed a piece of old wood that was spread in the shop."

He said he was "surprised" by the textures, colors and details revealed by wood turning. "I thought,'If this ordinary-looking piece of waste wood can become such a beautiful thing, what else is hidden in the other wood?' I was fascinated."

The father and son reused wood from burnt trees—some from the Camp Fire burning zone, trees blown down in the storm, old buildings, and other sources.

Matreno said: "When you start a project, you really never know what you will get. When you have natural processes-fire, fungal rot, cracking, insect activity-add new to a unified piece of wood. Element, it will make it better."

They said that the collaboration in the art business brought the two closer together.

"When Matthew was young, we would spend a lot of time hunting, hiking and camping together," said Bruce Reynolds. "We have been unable to do this since he (growing up). Now with wood turning, we can spend time together."

Being close does not mean that there will be occasional artistic differences.

"We all have different ideas and can be very stubborn at times, especially when I am so focused on one idea," Matrino said. "We just remind ourselves that there is no right or wrong in art-except for safety in the store (precautionary measures)."

The prices of bowls and vases range from US$25 to US$375. For more information, please call 530-298-9132 to enjoy the store or call 530-892-1905 for design and decoration.

Jessica Skropanic is a special correspondent for Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, art, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and Facebook. Go out with Jessica! Nor Cal Entertainment Facebook group. In order to support and maintain this work, please subscribe now. thank you.