Meet Justin Squier | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Justin Squier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Justin, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always loved art and working with my hands. When I was younger I tried other crafts that seemed more practical for making a living, things such as mechanics and the trades. While these may have been a more traditional path and certainly have their own joys, they never scrached that itch in my soul like art did. I finally just stopped running from art and gave into my true self. I think what I was longing for subconsciously was the ultimate freedom to create what was purely my own, with no inhibiting rules.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I enjoy creating in several drastically differing visual styles, however, the style of art that I have created the most and what I’d consider the most “me”, are my found object, sculptural wall pieces. In these pieces I reinvent vintage and modern utilitarian objects by adding a multitude of materials. I love the conversations between differing elements, textures, colors, and their original intended usage. Most materials added have a story of their own. For example, I found a 10-foot vintage kayak frame in the attic of an early 1900’s garage; I turned this kayak into a weaving by using several types of bailing twine that I found on a ranch in Molina, Colorado along with other ropes, some hand dyed by myself.
My overall metaphor of these pieces is to celebrate the passing and importance of our time, and hopefully bring up questions of priorities, use, and value of that time and the objects we posses. I intentionally try to showcase the patinas, chips and damages the found objects to pay homage to their history. While every piece I create is one-of-a-kind, all my works have reuse in common and an elevated “rustic” feel.
Currently, I’m very excited about my newest goal of blurring the lines between sculpture and garden accessories, such as planters and trellises. I just finished my master gardener program and am excited to bring living plants into my artistic compositions. I love the idea of my art creating oxygen and pollination opportunities alongside visual beauty.
One lesson I have learned along the way is to rest when you are not inspired without panicking about the creativity returning. I believe the down time is necessary and often pays off, with better work when the juices start flowing again. When I was younger, I had to learn not to get too attached to the sketch, each artwork is going to take its own path. A plan and sketch are a good place to start but it’s important to remain flexible. Remember the process is supposed to be enjoyable, but don’t get enjoyable confused with easy. It’s hard work.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d want to take them to the desert surrounding Grand Junction and maybe into Utah. I have always loved the rugged nothingness mixed with the strange things you often find. I feel the struggle to survive and refusal to perish from everything living in that harsh environment and find it motivating. It has always felt like walking into a surrealistic painting to me. Then we would catch a show at Cavalcade Fruita. A real rare gem of a venue run by amazing people. While if Fruita we would visit Orbit Art Space, one of the best galleries in the valley, followed by a walk through FARM, the creative work space warehouse. We are spoiled by having such good food and drink in the valley. Some of my favorites are Brutal Pie Pizza and Pronto Bronto, beer at Ramblebine Brewing Company or Base Camp. I also love the atmosphere at Melrose Hotel and Bar. While in Junction we would hit main street and walk the Art on the Corner program. Palisade has an amazing farmers market on the weekends and world class wine. Eat as many peaches in Palisade as possible while checking out their own art on the corner program throughout downtown. Then another couple days hiking the National Monument and Grand Mesa. I also love walking my dog at the Colorado Mesa University campus in the spring and looking at all their flowers and landscaping. I grew up hating on this valley, then I got older and realized my attitude was the problem, It’s a really amazing place to live.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a couple people in my life, my mother is the first person who comes to mind. While I know she hoped I’d go into something more stable like accounting, she also allowed me to pursue art and even put me in extracurricular art classes in my early teen years of school. Next are the amazing art teachers I had. They showed me there was a world outside of the small town I felt stuck in during my adolescence, a world where self-expression and being different were celebrated. Art teachers literally save lives of kids who feel like misfits by providing the opportunity to create their own worlds through art. One book that felt profound is “Self Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. I feel that Transcendentalism aids artists well by supporting being yourself in a world of conformity.

Website: https://www.justinsquier.com

Instagram: @justin.squier