Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joce Greenwood. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joce, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Through my wood art I have had the opportunity to make so many meaningful connections. The part I love most about what I do is working with clients to create unique custom pieces. I share photos and videos throughout the process and welcome feedback. It is important to me that they feel the end result is a one of a kind piece made just for them. My favourite meaningful projects are those that represent family. I have created tree pieces depicting a blended family, mountain & tree scenes that have included beloved pets and even a mountain scene with a heart cut into the sky for the husband that passed away while I was creating the piece. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to create art that captures a memory, honours family or sometimes just delights through its colours, textures and patterns.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Joce and I am a wood artist that creates unique wall art and decor from salvaged wood. I use century-old lath (from lath and plaster walls) and trim that I have salvaged from homes in my community. Over 6 years ago, when we were renovating our son’s room, we uncovered the wood slats and I just knew I wanted to make something with it one day. It was 3 years before I had my first idea and that first piece was a stylized union jack for my husband for his birthday. I loved the process of choosing the wood to let the character and history be the focus, working piece by piece until the design came together. After that piece I was hooked and decided I wanted ro pursue The Salvage Life.

I am passionate about breathing new life into old things and repurposing whenever I can, not only in my art but in all areas of life. I love things with history.

Something that makes me different is my flexible custom process. I share photos and videos and welcome feedback at every stage. It is important to me that the end result is a one of a kind piece that my clients feel was made just for them and that they had a part in its creation.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media has been a challenge for me. As an artist most of the time I just want to hide and create or build and not think about how I need to share but then I do and someone responds and reminds me that it is connection that really drives me. So I push myself to show up but I also allow myself to only do it when it feels right. If I am working and think it would make a cool photo or I am talking to myself and realize I have something to say, then I share. I never force it. I have to be excited to hit the share button or I don’t do it. That would be my advice, show up how you want to, when you are able to. Don’t force it. People feel it when you are authentic and they will want to join you on your journey.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I am learning that it is ok not to be perfect and even more importantly that its ok to let that imperfection be seen. It is not easy and it is something I have to keep reminding myself but I am learning to show myself grace too. When you are willing to share and be vulnerable the right people will lift you up and remind you that you are meant to be on this journey and that they are excited to follow along with you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thesalvagelife.ca
• Instagram: @thesalvagelife
• Facebook: @thesalvagelife.ca

Image Credits
All product images are my own. For the photo with my image with my salvage life sign please credit: Melanie Curley at Mango Photography