Against the grain: How woodcarving reunited a father and son

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Scottish woodcarver Callum Robinson learned everything about the trade from his father, master carver David Robinson. David is a member of Britain’s oldest wood and stone carvers’ association, and his extraordinary illustrations of the natural world – from coral reefs and birds of prey to ponies and jaguars – have been sought after by many, including the late Queen Elizabeth II. Callum grew up watching his dad spend countless hours designing and building their family home, embellishing it with intricate carvings. After David lost his job as a landscape architect, he began crafting furniture for local clients, with Callum often lending a hand in the workshop. As a teenager, Callum started apprenticing under his father and longed for his approval. Together they created beautiful kitchens and furniture, and through this demanding process, Callum forged a special bond with his father. After several years in his dad’s workshop, making furniture began to feel routine. Callum craved something bigger, bolder and more exciting. The opportunity came when he met Marisa, a cheeky and daring designer. Callum and Marisa got married and set off to chase their dreams. Much to David’s dismay, Callum left the family workshop and launched a studio with Marisa. They now worked for luxury brands, but running a business proved far from easy. Despite working on prestigious projects, they constantly struggled to balance the books. When a lucrative commission seemed to offer a lifeline, Callum thought his problems were solved. But when the deal collapsed, the studio faced near-bankruptcy, and Callum, Marisa and their employees were at risk of losing their jobs. In the midst of turmoil, Callum had to reconnect with his father and, in doing so, ‘relearn’ how to use his hands. Callum's book is called Ingrained: The making of a craftsman. Presenter: Asya Fouks Producer: Tommy Dixon and May Cameron Reporter: Tommy Dixon Get in touch: [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707 (Photo: Two photos set against a gradient background. The left photo shows Callum as a red headed child sitting with his baby brother on their father's lap as he reads them a book. The right photo is a recent one of Callum, he has a beard and is wearing a leather apron and is standing next to his father who is smiling. They are both behind a workshop desk Credit: Callum Robinson / Tommy Dixon)