Makers Series — Stephen King
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Time to read 6 min
A conversation with Stephen King of Sap Woodworks
"I want people to see trees in a way they have never seen them before. And by doing so, people will start to see how amazing they are. How do I root trees into the collective consciousness of the minds of the people?
How do I carve trees into the cultural zeitgeist of the world? How do I make trees trend? I do that by printing the trees that I find from my travels as I set out across the US and eventually the world. By being a translator for the trees (it's taken me 17 years of trial and error to learn how to capture all the different species) and using the “universal language" of storytelling. Because every tree has a story to tell.
And no 2 trees tell the same story."
- Stephen "Sap" King
Stephen “Sap” King, a fourth-generation woodworker turned printmaker, creates captivating relief prints of trees that merge his deep love of wood with his artistic vision. Growing up in a family of craftsmen, Stephen gained extensive experience in framing houses, finish carpentry, and hardwood flooring installation and refinishing. His work fostered an abiding fascination with wood grain…the intricate patterns that tell the story of each tree, much like a human fingerprint.
Stephen’s art celebrates the individuality of trees. Each growth ring reveals how the tree weathered the seasons, enduring both harsh and optimal conditions to stand tall and strong. No two trees are alike, and Stephen honors this uniqueness by adapting his print techniques for every species. Each species presents different textures, densities, and challenges, requiring subtle variations in technique and tools. To make every print distinctive, Stephen experiments with color, drawing inspiration from pop culture, influential artists, and the cultural zeitgeist to create works that are as vibrant as they are meaningful.
Stephen exclusively uses wood sourced from previously felled trees, ensuring his work has minimal environmental impact while preserving the natural beauty of his materials. His prints invite viewers to see trees not as static elements of nature or commodities but as dynamic, living beings, each with its own story. He considers himself to be a translator for the trees. Allowing each tree to tell its story. Through his art, Stephen inspires us to appreciate the resilience and beauty of trees and challenges us to view the natural world through a more thoughtful and creative lens.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey to becoming the creator you are today?
I started out as a carpenter framing houses. Then I was a finish carpenter where I would trim out houses. I’ve worked in a cabinet shop, installing and refinishing hardwood floors, and building furniture. Through all of these trades, I fell in love with trees.
I’ve always loved walking through the forest and admiring the trees. How each species is so unique, with subtle differences in what they offer as a material. There is a specific wood for every application you could imagine. Not to mention that the trees are always working, 24/7, to make this planet inhabitable by creating a sustainable environment for life through oxygen production, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation. They filter air, prevent soil erosion, and provide essential habitats, making them indispensable for life on Earth. Without trees, the planet would face severe drought, increased temperatures, and massive biodiversity loss.
Is there a particular quote, piece of work, or even a specific sound/smell that ignites your journaling process?
I’ll answer all three of those questions. I love reading and learning more about trees. But I love reading philosophers/naturalists like Thoreau, Muir, Humboldt, and Burroughs, who personally studied and laid the groundwork for how we perceive and protect nature today. Muir’s quote, “In every walk with Nature one receives far more than they seek.” It reminds me that out in the forest or within any ecosystem, exists worlds inside of worlds. Each beautifully intricate living organism is a single piece inside a complex puzzle. And I found that teleportation does exist; just step into a forest, and you will be taken to another world. The question is, do you zoom in or zoom out!
So when I need to be inspired, I just step out into the forest. The rich colors rush in and saturate my visual cortex, the sound of the birds and insects, the smells of the dirt, the trees, and the air slow my thoughts. The terpene profiles regulate my nervous system. All of these sensory experiences reset my thoughts, my mood, and my perspective! So I take daily walks in the forest.
Tell us about your favorite work/piece to date. What made it so special?
I’ll answer this in 2 parts. My favorite piece to date is my print “Eastern Red Cedar No. 61.” It’s a piece I found on the side of the road when they were widening it. This tree was cut down. When I found it had such a unique shape, I knew instantly it was gonna be a popular print. It’s my most popular print. And now it’s in 21 different countries. I think it’s so cool how a tree on the edge of the forest in South Carolina gets a second chance at being seen all over the world!
And for the second part, my favorite project I’ve been part of. I was recently asked by the Adkins Arboretum to print the last known remaining piece of the legendary “Wye Oak” in Maryland. This piece was thought to be from the main leader halfway up the tree. The Wye Oak was the largest White Oak in North America up until 2002, when it was taken down by its final storm. It was a giant. It was estimated to be over 450 years old and was 34 feet in circumference at its base. It took me a week to prepare it for printing. And on the final day, I printed it. The finished product was a print measuring 7 feet by 7 feet. It is the largest tree I’ve printed to date. It was an honor to be part of such a monumental project in documenting the history of such an epic tree. I hope to do more projects like this.
How did you discover Blackwing pencils?
I received a single Blackwing pencil as a Christmas gift back in 2018. And I have used them ever since. Now it’s the only thing I sign my prints with. Nothing compares!
What other tools are essential to your process?
Trees are essential. I spend a lot of time sourcing trees that are already down. Whether they came down during a storm, were felled due to construction or taken down by an arborist. I’m constantly trying to get in touch with arborists all over the world.
Paper is very important. I went through many types of paper before realizing that I could make my own and achieve what I wanted from a paper. All of my prints are on handmade paper. I also use inks, a brayer, and a baren. And finally “elbow grease.” All of my prints are originals directly from the stump, burnished and rubbed by hand.
In a world that often celebrates speed, what does "slowing down" mean to you?
For me, slowing down is where the magic happens. That’s where I can hear where my heart is trying to take me.
Every morning, the first thing I do when I get to my studio is have 30 minutes of quiet time. I sit in silence and focus on my breathing. And the ideas rise to the surface. If it’s worth pursuing, my heart will tell me.
Everything in the world is a cycle, a rhythm. The ebb and flow of the tides, the phases of the moon, and sound waves have peaks and valleys. The peaks are where you are creating, in the flow state. But in the valleys, that’s where you reset! You are thinking, tuning, honing, preparing for your next ride up the peak. This keeps your heartstrings tuned. Slow down, sync up, and reset. Don’t burn out!
What message or piece of advice would you offer to those who are just starting their journaling journeys?
READ! Read about what interests you!
It sounds so cliché, but follow your heart. Doubt comes from the outside. Inside, your heart holds the path, the song you should be singing to. Slow down so you can hear your heartstrings sing.
And the Nike slogan is gold: “Just do it.” Once you have that idea, just do it. Just move! I think we all learn from doing.
Where can the Blackwing community follow and support you?
Instagram: @sapwoodworking
Threads: @sapwoodworking
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sapwoodworks
Website: www.sapwoodworks.com
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