The Twin Passions of Scott Walton – Photography and Woodworking

Scott Walton is somewhat of a renaissance man. This Lynnfield resident has devoted his life to his two passions – photography and woodworking.

Walton detailed where his fire for photography started when he said: “My father introduced to the magic of black and white and I feel in love with it. I always had my camera with me.”

Walton developed his photographic skills at the Rhode Island School of Photography, majoring in corporate and industrial work. Walton quickly transitioned in the working world, being hired for many corporate and government projects including extensive work at MIT's Lincoln Labs.

During this time, Walton continued his artist endeavors using black and white photography, being influenced heavily by the photographer, Ansel Adams and a natural theme. Walton also sticks with film in many cases, despite the 21st century rush towards digital photography.

“If you've never seen a photo that you've taken, handled, developed, and then come up in a tray, it's just magical,” mentioned Walton.

Concerning woodworking, this unique trade was also one of Walton's fathers' hobbies and he introduced Scott to it at a young age, first making pieces of furniture like chairs alongside his dad.

Today, Walton's pieces range in complexity, going from a simple wooden (and sometimes stone) pen that can take roughly two hours, to more daring pieces that take weeks of work like bowls or mortar and pestles.

Walton explained that this family tradition hasn't stopped with him, as he has passed the skill of woodworking down to his son, Andrew. “I began taking my son with me to woodworking stores when he was eight, and we made a few pens for mother's day. He'd never even seen my lathe before, but took to it right away, he had the eye.”

The woods Walton use always boast a hefty variety, ranging from white birch to pitch-black African ebony. “Right now, I'm working with a wood called, purple heart,” detailed Walton. “I don't color my woods anymore, so I am always looking for a wood that is naturally beautiful like the dark red, purple heart.”

Concerning Walton's future with photography and woodworking, he stated: “It's always evolving. The day I stop working, put me six foot under,” jokes Walton. “I want to always push the envelope and myself.”

Walton left Patch with a common, but all-together true sentiment that wraps up his twin passions for photography and woodworking and how he has balanced his love for these dual arts with earning a living and supporting his family.

“Like my dad told me, he's 95 now, he told me when I was very young, he said, 'Scott, find something you love to do and you'll never work another day in your life.'”

We hear this saying all the time, but it's rare when someone like Scott Walton comes around and actually exemplifies this statement.

You can check out Walton Woodworks by visiting his Etsy site by clicking here.

Be sure and check out Patch's photo gallery for a taste of Walton's photographic endeavors, both commercially, and artistically.