Check out Chad Johnson’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Johnson.

Chad, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in Arcadia welding in the back yard with my dad. Eventually we had built every fence and gate in the neighborhood, and I learned a lot about how it all worked. We made benches, donated pieces to my grade school, and built quite a bit of furniture for our own home. Eventually I went to college for engineering and business, (I don’t have an engineering OR business degree…) but continued to do small side jobs here and there for some friends with a buddy of mine. Fast forward a few years, a beautiful wife, a couple of jobs, one of which was (is) in a local metal shop, a move out of state, a move back home, two great kids, and more motivation than ever to make them proud, and here we are. Three Marks started in my mind a good number of years ago, but only recently has it really become a reality. I started out building dinner tables for close friends as wedding gifts, using scrap metal from my shop and locally sourced wood from trees that had fallen around the Valley. Developing a style of my own but making sure to keep each piece unique and special was a welcome challenge, and one that I have really enjoyed taking on. I have metal work in homes across the country, in gardens across the valley, and even in a school bus that can go where ever it wants! This has been a great year for me, my family, and Three Marks, and it is exciting to think about and see where it goes from here!

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
(you’ll have to excuse the previous paragraph. I thought I had to get it all in on one page – ha!)

I make custom metal pieces to fit the wants, needs, and styles of my customers. Some of the most recent projects have included multiple dinner tables, garden trellises, platers, and even windows for a school bus. I try to use recycled or scrap metal every chance I get, and love sourcing my wood table tops from local arborists who turn fallen or cleared trees in to beautiful live edge slabs. My hope, first and foremost, is to make my clients happy. Second, though, is to create something special that is different than anything anyone else has, or that even I have ever made. The beauty of the metal is that I can make it look or do whatever I want, but the wood is always a mystery, and that makes it special.

Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I think it is a great time to create. There are more ways to connect with people that like or may like what you’re doing, and to me, it seems like there is more support for whatever it is you choose to. I am not sure how to comment on how hard or easy things are today for artist, but I can say that the support I get is great and very encouraging. Its hard work, but that doesn’t mean life is hard.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I have a small Instagram account @threemarks and can be contacted through that page. I also have an email address threemarksdesign@gmail.com

Contact Info:

• Phone: 602-618-3158
• Email: threemarksdesign@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/threemarks

Image Credit:
Kevin Taylor, Candace Johnson

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