about

Growing up, I always felt a call to the natural world. While my hometown of Tampa, Florida will always hold a special place in my heart, I grew up with a yearning for mountains, seasons and natural awe. This desire to connect with nature is what eventually led me to California. Living in such close proximity to the Sierra Nevada, the cliff-side marvels of the Pacific coastline, and everything in between means that I never run short on natural inspiration. Not a day goes by that I don’t take the beautiful landscape that I now find myself in for granted.

The modern world, with its digital complexity and economic and ecological challenges can seem overwhelming at times. The inherent simplicity of grabbing a saw, chisel, and measuring tape and manipulating material that grew for decades into something beautiful and functional is what drives my passion for woodworking.

I see woodworking as a therapeutic endeavor that keeps me present and sharp of mind. For me, stepping into the shop is akin to stepping out onto a trail for a hike. It’s an opportunity to disconnect from life’s troubles, breathe, and focus on what is going on in the moment. Sometimes, I can spend a whole day working on a project without even taking a break to eat.

When I’m not in the shop, I can be found climbing, practicing bass guitar and saxophone, hiking, snowboarding, skateboarding, rollerblading, or riding my bicycle. I rode my bicycle from Oakland, CA to Destin, FL in 2023.

contact
p: (813) 541-2955
e: robbie.pastrana@outlook.com