Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LEHI — It’s an unlikely artistic gift, so rare that only a few people in the world have truly mastered the craft.
“I just started doing it,” said Neldon Bullock. “I didn’t even know what it was called.”
Neldon Bullock has crisscrossed the world collecting materials for his pieces that take months to complete.
Now, at a humble home in Utah County, Neldon and his wife, Jewel, are still living on the land he was born on.
“You’re a pretty good woman,” he said with a smile as he glanced over at Jewel.
They’ been together since their teens and married for 44 years.
“Yeah, I’m pretty proud,” Jewel said.
Adorning the walls of their home are countless pieces of art.
"Jewel's been hanging them on the walls, and things like that, so we've been able to enjoy them," Neldon said.
He is one of a handful of artists in the entire world who do the intricate woodworking known as marquetry.
“Well, (marquetry) is older than oil painting,” Neldon said with a laugh.
His murals are made entirely of exotic woods from all over the world.
“(There is) no putty, no paint, no stain and wood is usually about 3/8 of an inch thick,” he said.
Most people who practice this work will use preassembled kits. Neldon first photographs his subject, sketches it, then cuts the wood by hand.
He shies away from talking about his talent.
“I’ve done alright,” he said. “That is probably the best way to put it.”
Jewel smiled to herself as she overheard him.
"He says, 'honey, an artist can't brag about themselves. They can't say how good they are.' But, yeah, I can brag about him."
Jewel says Neldon’s original pieces have been appraised for hundreds of thousands of dollars. He has about 20 originals left and now it’s time to part with the priceless pieces.
"I slice my own wood. Or, I did," Neldon said.
His health is failing.
“He literally couldn’t pull a plug out of the wall he is so weak,” Jewel said.
Muscle deterioration has robbed him of the ability to create the wood pieces. Some days he’s hardly able to walk.
“It was devastating to him,” Jewel said. "He was eat, sleep and drinking marquetry."
Now, the medical bills are adding up.
“Well, dialysis is not cheap,” Neldon said. “I’m willing to sell my stuff.”
The husband and wife duo are hoping to find homes for the one-of-a-kind marquetry pieces that they hold so dear.
“Instead of just boxing them up and keeping them safe,” Jewel said.
Although their days are quieter now – the Bullocks are still finding beauty in what they do have and not focusing on what they’ve lost.
“This is a good day,” Jewel said. “I love you honey.”
“I love you too,” Neldon replied.
If you are interested in any of Neldon Bullock’s pieces or want to learn more about marquetry you can contact him at neldonbullockmarquetry@hotmail.com
