The Artist
Jake Burns is a Local 7 Ironworker and part-time artist. Jake was born and raised in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and spent nearly every weekend at his grandparents’ cabin in Bartlett, New Hampshire. It was there that he found his love of the natural world. Throughout his childhood and teens, he experimented with graphite, acrylics, watercolor, and pen & ink. In 2017 Jake found pyrography and it rapidly became his passion.
Presently, Jake lives in Salem, New Hampshire with his wife, dog, and two cats. He enjoys collaborating with everyday people to create personalized, sentimental artworks. Jake is a proud member of the Greater Haverhill Artist Association and Greater Salem Artist Association. In his free time he frequently attends local art classes and workshops.
If you’d like to stay up-to-date with what Jake is currently working on, follow him on social media.
The Craft
Pyrography, also known as woodburning, is the ancient art of decorating objects by burning the surface with a heated tool. Through careful use of a hot metal tip, intricate designs are etched onto wood, leather, or even paper, allowing artists to create works with a unique and rustic appeal.
“One of my favorite aspects of pyrography is it’s versatility. I love exploring different techniques and tools, from burning sharp lines with a knifepoint tip to soft, smoky textures using a torch.”