The studio
About True North
Dimitri Jansen
Oscoda County Artist of the Month
True North Custom Art is the studio of Dimitri Jansen — a Northern Michigan maker and certified design specialist with twenty-five years as a professional photographer and fifteen years as a state-certified instructor in photography, art, and business marketing.
The woodworking is the heart of the practice: solid hardwood construction, kiln-dried lumber, and finishes chosen for how the piece will actually be used. Tables, bars, vanities, and signs are designed as one-of-a-kind statement pieces — elegant, sophisticated, and built around the natural shape of the wood.
The same attention carries into custom surfboards, fine-art prints, and the classroom. Work is created in Northern Michigan, by Michigan artists, from local materials.
Questions
Frequently asked
How do I start a project?
Call or email for a free quote. Share the room, approximate size, the wood you are drawn to, and how the piece will be used. As certified design specialists, we help shape the idea before any material is cut.
What woods do you work with?
High-quality kiln-dried lumber only. Regular species include black walnut, maple, cherry, pine, cedar, aspen, beech, birch, hickory, oak, wormy maple, ambrosia maple, weeping willow, tulip poplar, grey elm, and claro walnut. Other species are available upon request.
Which finish should I choose?
Furniture-grade conversion varnish is the industry-standard clear coat. Epoxy resin is glass-like and waterproof — best for counters, vanities, outdoor pieces, and signs. Oil with a ceramic coat keeps a very natural look while helping resist stains, scratches, and fingerprints.
How do I care for a finished piece?
A soft damp cloth, then a dry cloth, is usually enough. Use only a very mild soap if needed. See the full care guide for what to avoid — bleach, ammonia, abrasives, and heavy waxing among them.
Do you take photography and lesson bookings?
Yes. Fine-art prints, portraits, weddings, seniors, real estate, and photo restoration are available, as are group or private lessons in photography, Photoshop, ceramics, stained glass, woodworking, and surfboard construction.
Where is the studio?
True North Custom Art is based in Northern Michigan. Work is created by Michigan artists, from local materials. Visits are by appointment.