Calling Lew French’s work masonry is like referring to Michaelangelo’s as stone-cutting. French is an artist whose medium is the stones he fits together with exacting care into buildings, walls, fireplaces and other structures — works that take on a character and soul all their own.

Until now, French’s creations have been seen mostly by visitors to Martha’s Vineyard, where most of his work is found, and by readers of newspapers and shelter magazines that have featured him. Now he’s sharing his work with the world through “Stone By Design,” a coffee-table book that celebrates his creations.

The book not only presents French’s work in photographs by Alison Shaw, but also tells the story of how some of the structures came to be and discusses his philosophy and approach toward his work. French works mostly with the stone’s natural shape, cutting to fit only where it won’t show.

“Stone By Design” is published by Gibbs Smith, Publisher and sells for $29.95 in hardcover.

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