In a small Ukrainian workshop, artist Oleksiy of ThunderWood Studio creates tables that seem to capture the ocean’s magic—glowing waves frozen in wood, their crests illuminated by an otherworldly light. What began as an experiment has blossomed into a globally sought-after art form, proving that innovation often blooms where formal training ends.
The Glowing Wave Effect
Each ThunderWood table is a masterclass in illusion:
- Fluorescent resin mimics crashing surf when viewed under blacklight
- Frosted crystal inlays scatter light like sunlight on choppy water
- Custom LED systems (optional) make waves appear to move at night
Oleksiy’s signature technique involves layering translucent blues and whites in epoxy, then sanding select areas to create the frothy texture of breaking waves. “The wood grain becomes the ocean current,” he explains, showing how mahogany’s natural patterns guide his resin pours.
From Garage Experiments to Global Demand
With no formal woodworking or art education, Oleksiy taught himself through:
- Countless late-night resin tests (early attempts still line his studio walls)
- Reverse-engineering lighting techniques from aquarium designers
- Adapting automotive polishing methods for glass-smooth finishes
Now, his Etsy shop ships worldwide, with clients requesting custom elements like:
→ Coordinates of their favorite beach worked into the design
→ Glow intensities adjusted for bedroom vs. living room settings
→ Hidden compartments beneath “wave crests”
Day vs. Night Transformation
The tables reveal different personalities depending on the hour:
☀️ Daylight: Subtle oceanic hues with wood grain peeking through
🌙 Night: Electric blue waves that seem to emit their own tide
My Modern Met recently featured ThunderWood’s Aurora series—tables incorporating crushed opalite that scatters light like bioluminescent plankton.
Why Collectors Are Hooked
Beyond their beauty, these pieces represent:
✔️ Sustainable craftsmanship (all wood is reclaimed or FSC-certified)
✔️ A rejection of mass-produced furniture
✔️ Proof that creativity can’t be boxed by formal training
As Oleksiy puts it while adjusting a fiber-optic “moonbeam” in his latest piece: “The ocean doesn’t ask permission to be beautiful. Why should art?”
For those wondering: Yes, the glow is UV-safe. No, you can’t actually get your feet wet. And yes—that coffee stain you’re worrying about would just look like sea foam.