Artisan Gallery Team Interview: merritthyde

Interview by Jill of glazedOver

I’d like to introduce you to Merritt of merritthyde. She makes charmingly rustic magnets, paintings, metal sculptures and handmade gifts from materials like antique tin, reclaimed wood and rusted barbwire—materials that would otherwise be thrown away, buried or discarded.

So tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up a radio brat. By the time I graduated high school, I’d live in 65 places and attended 13 plus schools. As a child I remember stopping at hippie communes where I played in rooms with no furniture and watched the adults make purses, belts and jewelry. Life was anything but ordinary.

These days, my life is filled with stories of super heroes and late night mischief. My husband of nine years is the front man for a band named Caddle which plays original music. We have a 6 year old son, Gibson, whom I recently started homeschooling and started 2^nd grade. I also work part time Land Surveying.

When and how did you become to be an artist?

In school, I studied sculpture and painting but never fully embraced my art until 1998. After years of continued traveling from Texas to New York, I ended up in Tennessee with my family living in a barn and wondering what was next. It would be the beginning of my journey.

What inspires you?

God’s creation. I am continuously amazed by the beauty around me. How no two flowers are alike, how the bumble bee can fly and how with so much imperfection it is so perfect.

Where have you shown or sold?

I have sold in galleries around the Southeast as well as gift shops throughout the US. Nowadays, my work is mainly on Etsy.

What are your artistic goals?

I would love to be able to make some larger works again. As it stands now, time is a big issue.

What is the biggest challenge your medium presents?

Hum. It’s old, ugly, rusted and has size constraints. The biggest though would be finding it before it is trashed, burned or buried.

Do you have any quirks?

Everyone I know says I am eccentric. I don’t like to drive or leave my home unless absolutely necessary. Almost every piece of clothing I own has paint on it. I can’t function in clutter. I can’t multi task. If I am working on something and am interrupted I can’t go back to what I was doing. I have lots of quirks – I am a total weirdo.

What did you have for dinner yesterday?

Pasta Salad. My husband was out of town, I don’t cook and the playdough hamburger just didn’t hit the spot.

Are you a musician too?

I have absolutely NO musical talent whatsoever. My singing voice would make the neighborhood dogs howl. My husband and I have collaborated on song lyrics which is a total blast.

Did we forget anything important

Only a space for me to say, Thank you Jill. I feel so very honored to be a part of such a wonderfully creative and supportive team.

Be sure to visit Merritt’s links:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/merritthyde
http://twitter.com/merritthyde
http://merritthyde.com