About
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Jonathan McAllister is a multi-disciplinary artist and craftsman based out of Seattle, WA.
His skillset spans fine art photography, custom furniture design, and bespoke lighting—each discipline united by a commitment to craftsmanship and intention.
The photography featured within reflects a thoughtful balance between technical mastery and artistic intuition. With a strong emphasis on black and white imagery, the work explores light, shadow, and texture in ways that elevate the ordinary and celebrate the profound. From expansive astrophotography capturing the grandeur of the night sky to intimate studies of natural landscapes and everyday moments, each image is composed with intention and depth. The collection also includes cyanotype prints—handcrafted pieces that bridge historic photographic processes with a modern aesthetic, offering viewers a tactile, almost sculptural experience of image-making.
The fabrication work presented here embodies a seamless blend of form, function, and material integrity. Each piece—whether a custom furniture design or a bespoke lighting fixture—is thoughtfully conceived and meticulously crafted to elevate the everyday through intentional design.
Jon McAllister’s approach is rooted in a deep respect for traditional craftsmanship, paired with a modern design sensibility. Clean lines, precise joinery, and refined finishes define the aesthetic, while subtle innovations in form and function bring each piece to life.
This curated collection reflects my dedication to precision, creativity, and storytelling through both image and form.
Education
BA in Architecture
2008-2011
University of Kentucky
Employment
Utilizing the full breadth of my experience and skillset this position has afforded me the luxury of being both a furniture and lighting designer and fabricator, managing the in-house fabrication shop, in-house project and product photography, architectural model construction and project management.
Site supervision and carpentry for residential and commercial projects from start to finish. Duties ran the spectrum from labor organization, material take-offs, sub contractor management, architectural and structural consultations and client relations. Carpentry responsibilities included full range of Frame-to-finish responsibilities.
Carpentry and architectural design work from design conception through trim carpentry. All phases of design from concept sketches to working plans and sections. All phases of construction from foundations to framing to trim carpentry and everything in between.
Designer / Carpenter
2012-2017
Prajna Design & Construction Lexington, KY
2017 - 2021
Hammer & Hand Seattle, WA
Site Supervisor / Carpenter
Designer & Fabricator
2022-present
Mutuus Studio, Inc Seattle, WA
Philosophy
"Draw your attention to what draws your attention".
I have quietly honed skills and cultivated interests that, though often intangible, have proven to be of unexpected value. Whether it's observing the way light embraces a curved corner on a jobsite and capturing it in a photograph, immersing myself in the precision of a custom wood joint, or nurturing a curious fascination with the realms of theoretical physics and its practical applications—these seemingly abstract pursuits often elude the conventional focus of "getting the job done." Yet, over time, I've come to realize that there is no definitive endpoint. It is in the obsession, in the moment when light catches my eye, in the questions sparked by a fleeting moment of concentration. These are the moments that anchor me to the present, where all truth resides.
