Jan Zoltowski

Jan Zoltowski was born and raised in Poland, studying antique and art restoration at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Disillusioned with life under communism, he defected to Italy and studied antique restoration there for two years. After emigrating to the United States several decades ago, he and an equally penniless friend took a road trip from New York to Los Angeles, heating their food on the car’s engine block as they drove. He now lives in Kirkland, Wash., where he builds and restores period furniture, while his wife works at fine art restoration and repair.