We recently connected with Dakota Meeks and have shared our conversation below.
Dakota, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
When hand-selecting wood for my custom pieces, I am inspired by the Japanese philosophy and design aesthetic – Wabi Sabi, which celebrates the beauty found in the imperfect, incomplete, and impermanent. It teaches us that flaws are cherished, not hidden. It reminds us of the raw beauty found in rough surfaces and imperfect edges.
Reclaimed wood exudes history, texture, depth, and story. While it can be more difficult and time-consuming to work with in its twisted, worn, and sometimes decayed state – it is perfectly imperfect. Simply beautiful.
As we reflect the ethos of Wabi Sabi upon our own lives – to honor our imperfections rather than hide them – we can feel a wave of relief ripple through our bodies. We all have our own history, layers, depth, and story. We are imperfect. We are incomplete. Our lives are the definition of impermanence. Perfectly imperfect. Simply beautiful.
And when I get to bring both of those concepts together – finding profoundly storied reclaimed wood and making a statement piece for the home of a client that shares their own intricate and fascinating history – my work becomes deeply meaningful.
Whether the project has been a collection of pieces spread throughout a client’s home made from reclaimed walnut boasting years of weather exposure or wavy cherry board peppered with insect tunnels turned into river tables that cascade like waterfalls, each creation was embedded with symbolism and sincere respect for both nature and person.
Thus, the most meaningful aspect has not been one project, but rather one thread weaved throughout all projects – the intentional bridge of storied histories connected between nature’s core elements and beautiful souls.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As the sole artisan at Core Elements Studio, I combine metal fabrication, woodworking, and epoxy resin to handcraft custom furniture and statement pieces for the home.
My mission is to build functional art for our personal spaces inspired by nature’s core elements – earth, fire, water, wood, metal & air – and re-imagined with a creative twist, blending functional purpose and aesthetic beauty.
My vision is to create unique, yet functional solutions for the difficult areas in our homes – innovative pieces that offer artistic flow, functional purpose, and modern simplicity.
I often describe myself as a woodworker and metal fabricator that gives people a creative voice in their personal spaces by solving spatial challenges through functional art.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
As a student of psychology, I appreciate the reflection by Carl Jung – “Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch a human soul be just another human soul.” This philosophy is at the core of my creative journey. While I gain great satisfaction from bringing an intriguing idea to life utilizing a newly mastered skill, life exponentially expands when I can share the beauty of the creative process with others. Thus, the goal in my creative pursuits is to consistently be mindful of what matters most: Authenticity, fostering a deep appreciation for the simple pleasures, and nurturing meaningful connections – soul to soul.
The custom design journey is a personal one. Intentional. Purpose-driven. Curious. Hopeful. Determined. It can be a messy process, and yet so rewarding. I design and build each custom piece with sincerity, symbolism, and authentic crafts[wo]manship.
We all yearn for those special moments in life where we feel calm in our personal surroundings, while also being comforted by the presence of others. It’s a beautiful experience when people join me in transcending the confines of conventional design in pursuit of a statement piece that brings forth those meaningful moments while also standing as a reflection of their own story, values, and individuality.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
As a “recovering perfectionist,” I’ve been unlearning the deeply ingrained behavior of seeking others’ approval. This can be a complicated journey as an entrepreneur, which requires continual risk-taking, a tolerance for ambiguity, and the pursuit of wisdom through failure.
It is, therefore, no surprise that I gravitate toward the celebration of imperfection in the earlier mentioned Wabi Sabi philosophy. However, grappling with perfectionism along the entrepreneurial path goes deeper than honoring incompleteness. It calls for a profound internal understanding of one’s own vulnerability, the strength to respond from a place of integrity, and the ability to muster courage time and time again.
As Brené Brown wisely reminds us, “Failure can become our most powerful path to learning if we’re willing to choose courage over comfort.” The creative process is messy. It asks us for courage to explore the unknown, the willingness to try, and the belief that something beautiful will emerge.
Unlearning perfectionism does not mean I am lowering my standards, but rather it’s a shift in focus. Instead of armoring up against potential judgment by striving for perfection through the lens of others, I am doubling-down on my own potential by stepping into my authentic space and inviting others in. That feels both liberating and empowering. What a beautiful lesson to unlearn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coreelementsstudio.com/
- Instagram: @coreelementsstudio.mt
Image Credits
Kelsey Frey of Kelsey Frey Creative
@kelseyfreycreative