Artists We Love: Jay Nelson

INTERVIEWED BY Lindi Brownell Meiring

We’ve featured the work of San-Francisco-based artist Jay Nelson before, when he was commissioned to build a little wooden home in Hawaii for a young couple in only five weeks (watch the video here).

We decided to catch up with this talented craftsman to find out what he loves most about creating.

Why timber? What attracts you to working in wood?

Timber is what I know and am comfortable with, and I have been building with it since I was a little kid. In California, it’s easy to find salvaged materials. I use metals too, namely copper, aluminium and steel.

You’ve designed a number of treehouses. What do you love about designing these structures?

Treehouses are fun because you really have to work with the tree; the tree tells you what the structure should be and you have to be open to what that is. 

Nanotecture is a big trend at the moment. What is it about making small structures that interests you?

I started building small because I didn’t have space in my life for large things. It’s also a fun challenge to try and imagine a more minimal lifestyle with just the essential space and objects. I think people are reacting to the trend (at least in the US) of “the bigger the better” (bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger sandwiches). You know, to what end? 

Which of your pieces have you most enjoyed working on, and why? 

My work is pretty varied – I like it that way because it gives me space from my different projects. For example, in May I was working on a show in a gallery with my wife, who I collaborate with. We make paintings and then design exhibition spaces for the work. In June, we went to France and I built us a camper and we drove it all through Spain and France, surfing. Switching gears on a project allows me to take breaks and reflect, so that when I return to painting for example, I’ve had time to think about my direction and approach. The point is that I don’t really enjoy one project over another, the goal is to keep it balanced and not do too much of one thing.

Do you have any exciting projects in the mix?

Yes, but I’m in the planning and proposing stages. This week, I’m heading to Portland to build a cabin for a friend and then in August I’m opening a restaurant with some friends (I’m designing and building the interior). It’s going to be a fish market and restaurant in the Outer Sunset neighbourhood of San Francisco, where we live.

Browse the gallery above to view examples of Jay’s projects, both gallery-based and stand-alone. You can also see more of Jay’s work at jaynelsonart.com.