Inspiring Artists by Hand: Josh Messer

Almost a year had passed since I’d been writing articles for WYIM publications, the writing adventure that found me. A handful of articles, some photography, styling and I was creatively alive with something new.

The thought of writing locally would occasionally bounce around in my skull but I would quickly rebuke the thought until one day, on a confident whim, I called a local editor. A pleasant conversation and a few-emails later and we had an appointment.

A few days later…

I sat down with the editor in an open office space, They all appeared to be working and not paying attention to me at all except when I said something funny, then they would laugh. This caused more nervousness and I talked even faster, and tried to be funnier – you know the routine, right? it’s that nervous conversation stuff.

Somewhere in the middle of showing my work and talking about my recent discovery that I could write, the editor said “I think I have something for you if you are interested, We are starting a new column that will feature different artists who make things BY HAND“.

I nearly fell over, I wondered if she had any idea how much I love artists – how I live and breathe for that beautiful community where artists are enjoying each others gifts, seeing hope and encouragement, and sparking it in others? I tried to professionally state that this would be a perfect fit, trying not to sound too excited. I walked out of the office and nearly skipped down the steps resisting the urge to break into a full happy dance.

As I replayed the conversation, these thoughts danced happily ” I get to interview artists, hear all about their craft, ask questions – {the best part} and write an article about the art they create BY HAND”?!?!

I soon found myself knocking on the door of Josh and Anna Messer, neighbors whom I already respected as gifted artisans. I knew Anna from her floral business in Old Town Brunswick, English Gardens – her arrangements and plantings were always accented with such neat wooden boxes, old metal and driftwood.

What I did not know is that her husband, Josh was garnering quite a reputation for building unique, functional, and decorative pieces out of trashed wood, rusted metals and driftwood. Josh was to be the first By Hand feature.  The article can be read here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An interesting component to Josh’s work is his eye for the original state of the trashed items. He attempts to keep the original state of the wood, metal or driftwood. He often cuts the driftwood to expose other natural colors buried under the surface.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week, while walking on the beach. I spotted this piece of driftwood, and my son picked it up and used it as a sword so getting it home was easy. I think it looks lovely in the red vase. I may even string some lights around it for Christmas. Thanks Josh for inspiring me to look beyond a mere stick to see what it could really be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As is seen during an artistic renaissance, any healthy, mature artist (I’ll admit it – there are many artists who are NOT this) is happy to see their art ignite others to awaken their own gifts, – it is the insecure artist who is threatened by the wave of inspiration that is the natural response to encountering true creativity.  I’m excited to continue to inspire, and be inspired by what others are making BY HAND.