Wood industry newcomers Matt and Jessa Brantley make a very interesting statement with their eye-catching product.
From attracting the attention of local businesses looking for high-quality dining room furniture to learning carpentry at a nearby trade school, the artisans have successfully mastered their craft in just two years.
A couple from Jackson County wanted to showcase the beauty of nature, letting it guide them through the creative process. As part of this process, artists constantly strive to share their joy and passion for their creations with others.
Two years ago, Matt didn't think of himself as an artist, but he was amazed at how amazing the wood looked when it was properly assembled. With this interest, Jessa Matten enrolled in an online carpentry course at Blacktail Studio in Portland, Oregon with master craftsman Cam Anderson.
Inspired by these artists and courses, Matt began creating furniture that incorporates the properties of natural wood.
Matt.
The purpose of the artist is to create works of beauty with the intention of using them. It is included in the furniture of the dining room, turning seasoned timber into wide tables and complex bowls. Epoxy molding took Matt's fancy. After experimenting with this material, he now uses it to produce designs.
Before the couple started woodworking, Jessa knew how to write on wooden boards. At the same time, his friend was making something out of wood; Jessa was introduced to woodworking through social media. Studying and gaining knowledge from online sources, he immediately fell in love with building pickup trucks, and Matt soon gave him his own lathe.
Jessa's work is unique in burl, which creates an irregular texture or pattern in the fabric. Working with Berle, he took a philosophical approach, which he linked to life experience.
"Most turners don't like working with stock because it's not up to code and has a lot of holes, dings and cracks," says Jessa. "But the hat gives me freedom to listen to the tree, not the world."
The artist approaches the material without waiting for the work to be completed.
"When I started, I tried to do what everyone else was doing... the goal was always a beautiful, perfect, repeatable, thin cup... I was very discouraged at first and failed," says Jessa.
Instead, he now likes to work and go wherever the forest takes him. Jessa believes her work has an aesthetic purpose, stating that her containers are designed to evoke emotion rather than utilitarian purposes.
Matt and Jessa bring the natural beauty of wood into their work and try to reuse recycled wood.
"It's better for the environment to cut down trees in the first place than not to cut them down at all," says Matt. "Second: It helps. We can help our community."
When someone tells them about cutting down a tree, they explain that they are offering to cut it down to make wooden art. From time to time, artists create works of art made of wood and give works of art to their original owners.
A favorite story of artists is when they can preserve a piece of someone's family history.
"This guy, whose mother died, didn't want to live there, so he was forced to sell the property. On Facebook, 'I'm leaving, trees for sale,' Matt said. "So I made him a better offer. Instead of selling these trees, if I saw you down and cut you a few slabs, would you set a table and keep your mother's memory forever?
The artists now take pride in drying a piece of black walnut for the groom to keep his family's memory alive forever.
What artists want to achieve through their art is to develop a sense of oneness with others. One of Jessa's goals was to create a collaborative studio where local woodworkers could come together and create masterpieces.
"By doing this, I've made a lot of connections with people who have a lot of experience and knowledge to contribute to the community," says Jessa. "I also meet a lot of people who are interested in creativity but don't have a place to work...or can't afford it."
That is why it aims to make wood products accessible to everyone, regardless of age and financial status. Matt gains a sense of belonging by connecting with others through his creativity.
"I spend a lot of time and really invest in materials. I've had someone look at the same piece four times and say, 'Yeah, I need it,'" Matt said.
He said his specialty is that clients bring their dreams to him and it's his job to make them come true.
Matt and Jessa Brantley have opened many people's eyes to the beauty of nature around us through their extraordinary creations. By enhancing the natural properties of wood, rather than trying to change it, the couple is constantly drawn to the material's ability to transform it into durable and useful furniture or attractive display shelves.
These artists have made great progress in woodworking in two years and have no plans to continue.
To contact Brantley, visit their website at Favoritedesignswoodworking.com. You can also find them on Instagram and Facebook: popular designs of woodworking.
