Missouri Nature Art

Hey! I was included in the Post-Dispatch's Holiday Gift Guide this year! 😊Bottom right corner of the first page. Was part of the Sunday paper, but if you're a subscriber, here's the online link:

https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertainment/local/article_ca6d133d-f495-4728-97f2-ba3cbf87b1ee.html

What has a wooden thumb and will make a great coffee table base for someone? . . . This stump!

Here's a link to my Midwest Salute to the Arts artist's interview that aired on Great Day St. Louis back on Friday, if you didn't catch it live:

https://www.firstalert4.com/video/2025/08/22/salute-arts-artist/

Opening night was a great start to Midwest Salute to the Arts. I was flattered to make a little appearance on Great Day St. Louis! Still two days left, so come check us out at Moody Park in Fairview Heights, IL. Weather looks to be great!

https://www.facebook.com/MidwestSalute

Check out this nice interview of me from Voyage STL:

Daily Inspiration: Meet Matt Faupel Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Faupel. Hi Matt, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.I started a video production and photography company in 2006 and a couple years later started selling nature photography prints at local arts & crafts shows. ...

Another quick photo dump of new items to entice you to come to one of my shows this weekend! 😁

This is our first time ever doing two shows in one weekend! Webster Arts Fair is this Fri-Sunday and we'll also have a spot at the Green Living Festival at the Botanical Gardens on Saturday. Find links for both events below and check out a quick little sampling of some new items I've been working on for this weekend. There's a couple new benches, a small entry table, new charcuterie and cutting boards, and some bluetooth speakers. May be worth going to both shows so you can see it all!

https://www.facebook.com/events/9215453545250327/9215453565250325
https://www.facebook.com/events/597566056329143

The Post-Dispatch will be featuring a 'Made in St. Louis' article about my work in all the print editions of this Sunday's, June 1 newspaper, in the STL Life section. The paper will be available on newsstands, at Walgreens and CVS, at Schnucks and Dierbergs, and leftover copies are usually available at Dollar Tree stores for $1.25. The digital version is available online now, if you have a subscription. Use this link:

Made in St. Louis: He makes art from downed trees In 2008, he formally started Missouri Nature Art. His unusual designs found a waiting audiences, and much of his work is now custom.

Add the Green Living Festival to your calendar! Chat with knowledgeable exhibitors, support local eco-minded vendors, attend an educational workshop, recharge with yoga and enjoy live entertainment at this signature Missouri Botanical Garden event!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FLG25UcjZ/

Be sure to visit Missouri Nature Art's table to see how we're working to show that art and sustainability can go together by using locally rescued wood. There will also be a selection of pieces available for purchase and opportunities to talk about your next custom project!

The Green Living Festival is a FREE event - included with general Garden admission. And on Saturday's St. Louis City and County residents get FREE admission until noon. See you there!

I've been going around surveying storm damaged trees this week, trying to identify good candidates for milling and started some milling today. Now that I'm getting a better look at the affected area, I have to say the level of destruction is just truly heartbreaking. It is just block, after block, after block of destroyed homes and buildings, and Forest Park and O'Fallon Park have just lost incredible amounts of trees, including some very old, significant ones. I'm not sure that the news is doing justice to the reality of just how bad it is, and it even feels hard to comprehend even when you see it with your own eyes. These photos are just a mere sampling of the damage area. Please consider donating or volunteering if you are able. I'm sure there are a lot of people hurting out there and feeling lost.

I met a man in Arnold the other day who has lost at least 20 trees on his property in the tornado from back on 3/14. I'm lending him some help while also rescuing wood from some of the trees, including some wood from this giant. He remembers the tree being large when he was young, growing up on the property many years ago. Imagine this may have been one of the older trees in the Arnold area. Will be interesting to do a ring count and find out the age. I love being able to honor these trees, making sure at least some of the wood will go to good use, especially these ones with many memories and history attached.