We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mark Garff a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mark , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I have a ‘real job’ and a side hobby that’s becoming a bigger commitment. In my real job, I’m a practicing landscape architect, designing outdoor spaces, gardens, landscapes around commercial buildings, parks and trail design, and park and recreation planning. I run the one Montana office for my multi-state company. We bought a house in Montana in 2019, hoping to move in 10 years. Covid sped up the transition from Seattle, and we couldn’t be happier. Once we got here, my job just continued as it always had been, with some new challenges. I’ve always been a “car guy.” But Montana is full of old trucks. So I started taking pictures of the great trucks I was seeing everywhere. I drive all over for work, and try to make time to “find some trucks.” It’s usually pretty easy. I enjoy both the Real Job and the hobby, but more and more, I’d like to just drive around seeing more of this state and the west, while finding the trucks.

Mark , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

You reached out to me about Old Trucks, so we’ll focus on that. I got into it by accident. Old trucks are everywhere, sometimes parked in a field with a mountain backdrop, so I started stopping to take photos. I’m not the only guy doing this, of course. There are car spotters in every city and every state. I thought the focus on old trucks only in Montana might set me apart a bit. Most of all it’s fun, driving through small towns, back alleys, back roads.
I recently hit 10,000 followers, it was a long road to hit that number! 3 years of organic followers, no promotion, no ads, just old trucks. I’m proud of that accomplishment. I post something every day, usually a video and a static post, and 3-5 stories. I’m not out as much in the winter so the posts are thinning out, time to hit the road! I’ve made really great connections being the “old truck guy.” People send me their trucks to post and I love it. I’ve even met a few of my neighbors through Old Trucks, and made a few new friends.

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

Goals: The real reason I’m doing this is the enjoyment I get from taking the photos and then the feedback I get when people see the trucks and comment, sharing the love. Maybe someday I’d can monetize oldtrucksofmontana of course, but that’s easier said than done. I don’t have nearly enough reach at the moment.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love it when people react positively to what I’m doing. I get a lot of messages, positive reinforcement. “I love what your doing.” ” I love your page, never stop” Things like that.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: oldtrucksofmontana

Image Credits

All photos by @oldtrucksofmontana