Cam Banks-As a boy, I dreamed of becoming a Lumberjack—I loved the idea of making wood out of trees. In 2015, as a young man, I began my career as a Carpenter/Woodworker—making wood into things both beautiful and useful. Collecting tools, and building furniture. I specialize as a fine box-maker. My preferred art form and creations are all sorts of wooden boxes with varying styles and functions. Some examples include boxes for tea, jewelry, cigars, watches, phone/keys/wallet, writing utensils, paint brushes, playing cards/dice, urns, and more. I took an interest in boxes as an art form when, in 2021, I was commissioned to build 2 urn boxes for a client we had at the shop I worked for at the time. Our client had recently lost both her parents to illness, and she asked for their urns to be dovetailed boxes in Black Walnut. I was given a month to make them, asked to take my time, and focus on the details. This project made me fall in love with box-making. I realized that honing the small details of a project was what I had been longing for in my years as a carpenter. I had always loved wood grain patterns and details, and wondered why we didn’t feature them more in our work on residential projects.

In 2022, I left my shop job to become a full-time artist in wood, and small business owner. I’ve had success developing my style, selling my works, and working on commissions for clients. I spent my early years growing up in Newcastle/Auburn, CA. My family moved to Nashville, TN in 2006, where I spent the rest of my childhood and started my career. I moved back to the Sacramento area in August 2024, to be around my extended family, and help care for my grandparents in Fair Oaks. I’m continuing my business and career as an artist and box-maker here in Northern California. My design process is compositional–I often start with a concept, iterating and changing it throughout the build. I study wood grain colors, and patterns looking for forms and ideas that jump out at me to feature in my work. I much prefer this over building by following specific plans/blueprints. My style blends a clean, somewhat traditional approach to joinery, with a Krenovian love for the natural characteristics of wood. I love boards with weird aspects, like a bow, a split, or a live edge that I can work around and accentuate. I view trees as magical creatures, and I aim to showcase that in the pieces I make. I bring my love of wood, and craftsmanship to others. I like to say that my boxes store, guard, and display your treasures