Happy Life Wood | 'Emergence' Paintless Wooden Sculpture

Steve Thomson, known as "Happy Life Wood," is a realism artist and sculptor who specializes in wood inlay, carving, and sculpting techniques to create lifelike objects. He does not use paints or stains in his work, instead sourcing exotic wood species to achieve natural color variations. His most notable pieces include three-dimensional wooden sculptures of sneakers and clothing, meticulously hand-crafted and carved with distinct textures to replicate fabric and other materials.

After a 25+ year career in corporate marketing and graphic design, Thomson transitioned into woodworking. What began as a hobby evolved into a passion, and one day, he decided to repurpose wood scraps in his studio to create an image. After six months of experimentation, he completed his first portrait—a depiction of Kobe Bryant—which he sold to Bryant’s former teammate and international basketball legend Pau Gasol.

Since then, Thomson has sold and commissioned pieces for clients worldwide. In the past year alone, videos showcasing his art have amassed nearly 150 million views across social media platforms.

Notable owners of his work include Michael Jordan, A$AP Rocky, Kevin Durant, and Jordan Poole. He has also collaborated with Jordan Brand, BMW, the Chicago Bulls, and the Golden State Warriors. In 2024, Thomson designed and collaborated on a golf sneaker with Jordan Brand, which debuted during the Masters Tournament.

Thomson’s process is highly detailed and labor-intensive, with most pieces requiring hundreds of hours to complete. His work continues to evolve from his workshop and studio in Rochester, New York.

Offered in this lot is 'Emergence' a depiction of one of the most iconic sneakers of all time, shown beneath a draped layer of cloth. Through the cloth, the familiar red, white, and black color scheme is visible, hinting at the unmistakable silhouette. As with all of Thomson’s work, this piece is crafted entirely from wood, without the use of any paints or stains. Every color seen in the artwork comes naturally from the carefully sourced wood. The fabric is sculpted out of basswood, and the sneaker is made up of padauk, holly, and wenge. Each piece of wood was hand-cut and no CNC was involved.

The lot on offer was provided directly from Happy Life Wood for this auction.