Hammerhead Wood Burned Wall Art

Chad Hogston is a North Carolina-based wood-burning artist whose work captures the spirit of coastal life through fire, wood, and resin. Operating under the name Cape Fear Torch, Hogston specializes in marine-inspired pyrography, transforming slabs of birch and poplar into vivid depictions of fish and ocean scenes. His process involves using butane torches to burn images into wood, followed by detailed work with a Dremel tool and finishing with layers of UV-protected epoxy resin to enhance depth and texture.

By day, Hogston serves as a District Court Judge in North Carolina, bringing a unique balance of analytical precision and creative expression to his life. His art reflects a deep connection to the ocean and a desire to share that passion with others. He continues to create from his home studio, supported by his wife and two young sons, who are also growing up immersed in the waterman lifestyle.

Hammerhead Sharks are easily recognizable due to their wide-set eyes and oddly shaped head, both of which helps the sharks’ ability to find its favorite meal: stingrays. Their eye placement on each end of its hammer-shaped head helps the shark scan its surroundings quickly to keep an eye out for other predators and meal opportunities. Special sensors across the sharks head picks up electrical signals, something living creatures give off, and aids them in their hunt for stingrays. Once they find a stingray hiding under the sand of the seafloor, the hammerhead is able to pin the ray to the seafloor.