9/15/2010

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.

MerrittHyde

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 2nd grade. I also work part time Land Surveying.

mhyde_studiocabinoutside

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.

Love Bird Garden Ornament

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.

Orange Metal Dragonfly Magnets - Free Shipping

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.

American Flag Painting - Red White and Blue

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

19 comments:

Kendra Zvonik said...

wonderful getting to know you better, merritt! thanks jill!

Waterrose said...

So glad to meet this lovely artist and learn about her interesting adventures!

Dawn of LaTouchables said...

...a great read! Thank you for sharing!

belinda marshall said...

fun interview! nice to find out more about you merritt :)

steinschmuckdesign said...

For a weirdo from a weirdo, I think we all are weirdos :)
Thanks so much Jill and Merritt for sharing!
So interesting to get a glince from someones life,
you really travelled allot and
I guess this reflex in your designs to,
adore your designs!!!!

Jill said...

Really! The quirkier the better, as far as I'm concerned. I love that I can now associate an accentric personality with Merritt's gorgeous work, and I'm so intrigued that she prefers to stay home if she can. Makes me want to write a novel around her!

p said...

having bought some of merritts flowers for my vases i can say her stuff its WONDERFUL!!! she inspires me and i love knowing more about how you got to be SO WONDERFUL :) thank you for sharing more of who you are here merritt!

Lee Wolfe Pottery OneClayBead said...

Merritt is one of the most creative people I've ever encountered! Great article- loved finding out more about her!
Lee/OneClayBead

Anonymous said...

So fun to read a bit more about you Merrit, it makes me want to live in Etsyville :-) I love your work, especially the butterflies -thank you both!

xo Simone

slinkycat said...

I really enjoyed this interview, you had my full attention! Great to know you better. I love your work!
Kim x

Thanks Jill!

3 squares said...

loved learning more about merritt. i'm a big fan!

xo
jean

Merritt Hyde said...

You all are so sweet! All of your wonderful comments made me misty eyed. Thank you so much for taking the time to read a little about me! I feel truly blessed to be a part of the AGteam!

ira said...

This is absolutely a fantastic interview and made me smile when read it:) Nice to know more about you Merritt!

KnotOriginal said...

Your barn, home, snack shack looks like the perfect inspirational place to create your whimsical metal works of art, Merritt...no wonder you don't want to leave!
Lovely interview Jill, thanks for introducing Merritt to us!

Unknown said...

merritt -- you're as lovely as i imagined-- everything about you--my favorite part is that you say you're a total weirdo-- i can totally identify! a great interview--and thanks jill!

betsy bensen said...

I love this! You're my kind of wierdo Merritt!

13threads said...

Great interview!

Unknown said...

Wonderful article giving us a little peak into a great person's life!

StaroftheEast said...

Such a great read!
Thanks for sharing your story!