Athens, OH
As a boy, Hostetler would split his free time between exploring the dense Appalachian forest that surrounded his hometown of Athens, Ohio and at his father’s art studio. Inspired by the magnificence of his forest playground, he’d sit on the floor of the studio and paint and carve a series of trees out of the cypress wood his dad had delivered from Florida. His 45-year career in the guitar industry kept him tied to woodworking. It was at the tail end of that career that his wife suggested he turn some Christmas trees. Little did she know that taking her up on the suggestion would re-ignite his interest in sculpting trees that started at age 7.