We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jim Markell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jim below.

Jim, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I always knew I would pursue art as a profession. Never was there really a moment I wasn’t drawing as a kid or writing poetry. My dad is an amazing carpenter and I was always helping him growing up. My family is full of amazing violinists, singers, jazz musicians, visual artists. We all gathered at my great grandma’s house on the weekends and the kids would usually be making visual art or playing on the piano in the family room. I never thought I’d make any money at it though.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Growing up I was my dad’s helper, we were inseparable. He started his own restoration and remodeling business in 1999 I believe and we did a lot of custom carpentry, furniture and custom tile work. I was obsessed with Rock music at the time and electric guitar. I loved Zeppelin, Sabbath and Hendrix. School of Rock coming out just turned my desire to rock up to 11. We didn’t really have the money for an electric guitar but in the summer of 2002 he actually paid me a small amount if I wanted to help him on the job and save for a guitar. For the first time I actually learned what it meant to have an ounce of discipline. I saved my meager wages and bought my first guitar at Pegasus Music in Rockford IL. It was a Japanese made Arbor Les Paul special copy in a translucent cherry finish so you could see the wood grain. I thought about all the carpentry my dad was doing and how much oak I had sanded that summer, it dawned on me that people like my dad made instruments too and if I kept helping him maybe I’d have the skills to make my own guitars someday.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I most definitely have creative and professional goals. I am extremely methodical and goal oriented although it can seem like I’m just scattered and eccentric to spectators. I’ve always wanted to work for Gibson Guitars. Looking through Guitar world in my dad’s wood shop as a kid, drawing ridiculous guitar shapes that would never work, I was obsessed with the artistry that could come from those things. After earning my stripes, making my own furniture, making music and working for Paradise Guitars with my best friends I am very proud to say that I am now one the skilled hands making your Gibson Custom Shop guitars.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the creation. Putting out into the world something that was only an idea minutes, hours, days before and now it exists! Compound that with the feeling of seeing someone else fall in love and enjoy what you made and it’s game over. Nothing is better than that. The funniest aspect is the insatiable appetite to create more. It’s never over. The madness continues.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Forestcitysasquatch, BlackMapleCo
• Facebook: Black Maple Restoration

Image Credits
Amanda Estes