Allan Fausnaught literally grew up on a construction site – the home he grew up in on the outskirts of Landenberg that was partially built by his father -- so it seemed preordained that Allan’s life would be one generously blessed with the ingenuity of craftsmanship.

Under the tutelage of his father, among the sawdust and the router bits and the mitre saws, he melded the passions of his childhood – music and art – and after entering Penn State with a major in Mechanical Engineering, he began to turn what was once a hobby into a career decision.

In August of 2015, the 19-year-old Fausnaught brought two handmade snare drums he had made to Dale’s Drum Shop to meet John Good, the vice president of Drum Workshop, one of the largest drum companies in the world, who was given the nickname “The Wood Whisperer” by legendary Rush drummer, Neil Peart.

“John looked at my drums and said, ‘You did this? You keep doing what you’re doing. This is art’, and the drums were put on the shelf for sale,” Fausnaught said. “That was the spark I needed.”

In January of 2016, he officially launched Woodland Percussion, a decision that saw him begin to work with A-list recording artists, session musicians and touring bands. By the time he graduated from college in 2017, Fausnaught had already made connections in the music industry and established a small but loyal customer base.

“I think I’ve drawn interest from the music industry because of my obsession to detail,” Fausnaught said. “I try to do things that are not normally seen and that no one else is doing. I am open to unique projects, and I have unique methods to put on the table that says to my clients, ‘I am hearing your ideas and here is what I can do, so let’s meet and create something that is a quality and artistic piece.’”

Using that same attention to detail – a balance of woodworking, engineering and artisanship -- Fausnaught began Woodland Woodworx in 2018. It is the second chapter of a professional career, a stunning catalog of hardwood spun into individual pieces that utilize engraving, carving and esoteric design. Fausnaught’s art is displayed in galleries, artisan shows and in homes.

“If I have a creative idea, I can take it as far as I want,” Fausnaught said. “Just because I am limited because of the size of the machines I work with, I don’t let that limit me to the possibilities, because every time I think that I can’t do something, a few months later I am doing it. Every piece I create becomes a self-challenge, a push to be different.”

To learn more about the work of Allan Fausnaught, visit www.woodlandwoodworx and www.woodlandpercussion.com.