Art reigns supreme

• • Mels worked as head designer at Enkeboll designers
• • His first commission was to make wooden Armenian letters
• • He runs wood carving masterclasses in his beautiful studio

Mels Yeghiazaryan, the master craftsman, is a vital link in the chain of Armenian master woodcarvers․ Mels' carvings range from traditional Armenian cross-stones to wooden doors, mirrors, chairs, and cabinets. Being fascinated by wood art, he left his degree in Economics to pursue a career in the Arts. He found his own language to work with wood and considers himself to be his own teacher. He remembers fondly that for his first job, which was making wooden Armenian letters, he was paid for it with a car. Mels worked as the head designer for Enkeboll Designs for nearly a decade, a Los Angeles-based firm specialising in custom architectural woodcarving, where his designs continue to be reproduced. He currently lives in Armavir, Armenia, and offers apprenticeships in woodcarving and traditional Armenian calligraphy.