Profile: Leo Litto

Leo Litto of Austin, TX is an award-winning maker of heirloom quality furniture. Here is Leo's story, in his own words:

Tray Table Swiss Pear, Pomelle, Sapele, Baltic Birch plywood (8¹/2" h, 30" w, 20" d)

Growing up in upstate New York, I got started on this journey at a very early age. Besides coming from a long line of Hungarian luthiers, my father was a fine artist, and my mother was a potter and an art teacher. I had access to a complete woodworking and metal working shop that my father used in his work, and I was encouraged to build stuff. At 11 years old, my father gave me my first drafting set, and I proceeded to design and build a soapbox derby car. That was about the most fun that I ever had.

In my later years in high school, I learned to be a mechanic, working at an excavating company fixing all sorts of diesel, mechanical, and hydraulic machinery. I went on to an engineering college, but I dropped out after only a few months, because it lacked any artistic component. After working as a mechanic for a couple years, I discovered the industrial design program at Rochester Institute of Technology, which nicely combined my interest in art and engineering sciences. I also could take electives at the School for American Craftsmen, working in the jewelry and metal forging shops.

After graduation, I went on to get a job with a medical equipment manufacturer, working my way up from the engineering design department to manager of manufacturing and, ultimately, Chief Operating Officer, where I learned a lot about the business side of design and manufacturing.

Display Pedestal for Tiara Macassar Ebony, Poplar, Baltic Birch plywood, German silver filigree, 23k gold leaf (55" h,12" w, 12" d)