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Heart of Art: FTT Featured Artists & Vendors

Max Romey & Mount Marathon Race: Alaskan Art, Trailblazing, & Environmental Advocacy

July 06, 2021

As we approach the renowned Mount Marathon Race, it is only suiting that we interview and feature one of our own FTT artists, Max Romey.

Multimedia Artist | Backwoods Trail Runner | Alaskan Outdoor Enthusiast | Environmental Advocate

Many things can describe Max, but he is all about expanding your horizons and going beyond the surface. He moved to Alaska at the age of 16, and never looked back, embracing the instant community that many find, here in Alaska. But his true joy and calling came from videography and watercolor while pursuing things he finds passion in.

Drawing inspiration from Alaska’s landscape & people

Many may agree with Max here: “without art, the world is less.” Not only is Alaska beautiful, but the communities and people are a great way to draw inspiration. From the villages and fishing communities, to the trademark Xtratuf boots Alaskans don from Fairbanks to Ketchikan (and everywhere in between). A unique closeness in the Alaskan art community serves as a muse for Max as well, stating that it’s not so much a competition but a collective of creatives who seek to lift one another up and encourage pushing the envelope in their endeavors.

Life at 3022ft – knowing Mt. Marathon intimately through film

The Mount Marathon race, for many, is known as an “Alaskan Rite of Passage”. Max lit up as he spoke of household names like Fred Moore, legend of the race origin stemming from a bar bet in Downtown Seward… The rich history of Marathon goes further back than the race. “People have been going up and down that that mountain for 300+ years, painting layers of their lives up there.” Alaskan trails have existed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years – and Max Romey’s adventures and art decidedly reflect this.

Max has filmed the race, releasing a feature called 3022ft (you can view it here on Vimeo). During the filming, Max and crew ran the equivalent of 2 times the mountain race (approximately 10-15 kilometers). The goal of the film was trying to capture the human aspect of the Mount Marathon Race, covering the top Men and Women conquering the stone giant. Coverage included the community element of the race (amongst the Seward community and the racers themselves) and shed light on a gender discrepancy: until recently, only the men’s race was broadcast. That year – they were able to capture the closest race in Mount Marathon History!

Challenges to filming the Mount Marathon Race for 3022ft

“Any step on the route could be the pivotal moment for the race”. There were over 17 cameras along the route, and Max’s team relied heavily on community support. From planting videographers along the route, to strapping go-pros to racers, the film subjects were so open and embraced this new way to showcase both a physical and mental challenge that many who haven’t run it couldn’t comprehend.

When asked about what was so special about the Mt. Marathon race, Max responded that it paints a ‘stone soup’ on the ‘giant pile of rocks’ [Marathon] and everyone ‘brings their own flavor’. “Anything can happen on that mountain”. This ignited a new flame within Max; sparking a deeper love of the unique Alaskan geography and a desire to explore and understand the heritage of Alaskan trails.

Though he’s not run the race itself, Max is no stranger to Mount Marathon. Personally, he’s trekked up and down the behemoth 50 to 60 times. Though the race trail is exciting, it is dangerous – there are multiple injuries (sometimes fatalities) each year outside of race day due to people who are unprepared or take a trail that is outside of their physical abilities. In fact, he partnered with the Mount Marathon Race to make this year’s race safety video. Max’s gear recommendations: good shoes (one with grippy treads), gloves (for the devil’s club, rocks, etc), water, wind layer, and gators (to prevent rocks in socks, if possible). His personal additions to each trek are a sketchbook and wide-angle camera. He hopes to try his hand (…feet?) at the race in 2022.

Embracing all trails of Seward

When asked what his favorite spots were, Max remarked that there is so much to explore in Seward. Mt. Marathon is most popular but the lesser-known back side of Marathon is a great way to explore it. His personal favorite on Resurrection Bay is Bear Mountain – nestled beside Marathon. Behind AVTEC, two lakes park and the Marathon Jeep/Bench Trail are also excellent options, while yet another underrated trek across the bay is Mt. Alice.

Watercolor: a fantastic challenge.

Watercolor is a medium that is more about the artist working ‘with’ instead of controlling it to make a composition. Sometimes the fluidity of the paint makes a turn in your process and completely changes the outcome. When asked about why and how he goes about using this medium for landscape, Max said: “Between the landscape and the people, I try to paint the energy and motion of the mountain – trying to capture how colorful and moving these rocks can be.”

“Trails can help you find yourself.”

For Max Romey, Mt. Marathon showed what’s possible on these trails. Since, he’s filmed for Soloman, Black Diamond, Patagonia, and more worldwide, but his passion remains evident in the Alaskan trail history and community. Trails connect Alaska – they’ve been traversed by animals, and indigenous persons for centuries. The world is full of these scattered pathways, connecting homes and communities, and telling stories of time long past.

Alaskan pilgrimage on the Historic Iditarod Trail during a global pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Max took on a new series of projects, combining his love of the backcountry trails and capturing it with his camera and sketchbook. He utilized his art account, @trailboundsketches on Instagram, as well as started @homeboundsketches (“Helping each other through a rough year with weekly themes and daily watercolor prompts”) – to unite artists and consumers alike during an unprecedented time in the world.

“It’d be sad if art didn’t change as we do. Art isn’t an inert, motionless thing. It is constantly changing with the artist – the meaning constantly changes.”

One turning point in Max’s personal and artistic journey was traversing the Historic Iditarod trail from Seward, AK to Nome. The original surveyed mail route between these points measures an approximate 938 miles, and the total mileage for the historic trail system (including side and connecting trails) is approximately 2,300 miles.

Prepared with gear and provisions and armed with his sketchbook and camera, Max set forth on his journey, documenting segments on social media, following a dotted line on a map. Max discovered during this journey that the trails are in danger. Many sections of the Historic Iditarod trail were overgrown and unrecognizable as a trail, as nature worked hard to reclaim it.  

With the ease and development of cars and planes, less and less are using these ancient routes. But he says there’s an unbroken language to them. He hopes that this newfound love of trails with the public will help increase awareness and funding. “There is so much to learn from these trails” lifetimes and more – there are new stones and new layers with each journey. Using his sketchbook unlocked complex thoughts in both his life and these adventures, as it helps Max process the feelings he experiences. It’s a tool to capture and feel, especially how this trail both effected Max himself and how it historically affected (even currently) the remote Alaskan communities. Max aims to release a film about this in the fall.

Learning about Ocean Plastics:  their impact on Alaskan Shores & Beyond


About 5 years ago, Max accompanied a group on Kayak Island with the intention to make a film about the marine debris found on its shores. During and after the trip, he had to take a step back and really process what he’d witnessed. “We hear about the millions of tons [of waste] that end up in the ocean, thousands on Alaskan shores… but when you see it in person it feels too big to take on; something like a never-ending problem without a simple solution.”

Max needed to wait until the right moment to share. This year, Max recently embarked on a trip to Kodiak, and this month Katmai – partnering with both Island Trails Network and Ocean Plastic Recovery organizations. He hopes to make a short film on marine debris and the effect on Alaska, using sketches to capture what words cannot say: “perhaps the only way to capture what words cannot say will be through this imagery”. The weight he felt on Kayak Island about one person being too small to fix the issue can be addressed by one thing: teamwork. He hopes to inspire others to band together and work toward solutions. He aims to collaborate with other artists, using art as a tool to bring awareness and make things much more accessible to the greater public as we work toward nursing our beautiful planet to health.

“Follow what is fun”- Max’s advice for aspiring artists, explorers:
“Well, I can tell you what not to do:
Don’t worry about the final product or perfection.
Follow what is fun. So long as you’re having fun, it counts as art.”
Getting started is scary, but the moments of joy will pull you through. If you find people who encourage you and challenge you to push yourself, then you will find that joy and success.
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We are grateful to carry such incredible work from artists with big hearts and burning passions here at Forests, Tides & Treasures, and consider many of them family. Thank you to Max Romey for interviewing with us and bringing us through his Alaskan journey. It is our goal at FTT to bridge the gap between artist and consumer and embrace the humanity that we all share. After all, we are better together.

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Corso Graphics: Annie & the Artistic Brace Family! (First Friday July 2021)

June 18, 2021

Our July 2021 First Friday Art Walk event is not business as usual, as we have an entire family bursting at the seams with artistic ability - thus we are featuring the Brace Family in an Art-A-Palooza!

Read on to learn more about Annie Brace of Corso Graphics, her daughter Eliza and son Cooper - their relationships with art, aspirations, and our beloved state of Alaska. 

 

 

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Vendor Spotlight: Jacob Design Co.

May 15, 2021

May is Military Appreciation Month
May 15th: National Armed Forces Day & International Day of Families

It only seemed right that we featured one of our newest vendors: 
Jacob Design Co. - Handmade Hardwood Cutting Boards
Military Family Owned & Operated - Originated in Seward!


Hi! We are Natalie and Paul Jacob owners and operators of Jacob Design Co. We are an active Duty Coast Guard family who moved to Seward in 2018. We are originally from the Panhandle of Florida and but have lived in various locations all over the south eastern US, most recently being relocated to Southwest Harbor, ME. God has blessed us with two active little boys and two wild dogs along the way! 
Jacob Design Co. was born in Seward, AK in 2019. Paul has always had an interest in woodworking and started experimenting with different techniques and tools over the years. Aspects of serving in the Coast Guard can be challenging and stressful at times, so woodworking became a way to relax and blow off steam. He has a streak of creativity with an eye for symmetrical patterns and small details which turned out to be perfect for making our detailed cutting boards. Our first batch of boards was six in total and we put them out on Facebook Market Place. After those sold we started getting requests locally for custom orders and things have grown from there.

We now do the bulk of our business online. It’s been great for allowing our customers to select specific custom options to create their own unique cutting board. We decided early on to name our cutting board designs to help with the customization process. Most of the boards are named after a location that’s important to us. We also have some that have been named after the customer that designed them! We get a lot of our inspiration by just pairing different types of wood together that complement each other. We both sketch our ideas and patterns that come to us, and we try to think of what would look good in our customers’ homes. We also have had some awesome wholesale customers along the way, the majority of our wholesale orders have come from businesses in Alaska!

So, when Paul puts together a board it’s a multi step and very detailed process. The biggest challenge for us is working with the unique variations and markings on each piece of wood, we try our hardest to make sure each cutting board looks as similar to the listing picture as possible. Once the wood is selected for an order he cuts it to length and begins surfacing the board. After that he cuts the stock into the appropriate size strips for the design then glued them together with food safe wood glue. The board then gets to cure before it’s sent through the planer to get it to the perfect size. Depending on which custom options are selected for the order we will do additional rounds of sanding, add the juice groove or rounded corners, and then add the edge profile. We also do what’s called “raising the grain”. This is a process that lessens the possibility of the wood from getting rough after being exposed to water when cleaning. It’s not entirely necessary but it’s an extra step we do to prolong the life of our cutting boards. Next it’s more even more sanding so the cutting board “feels like glass” as our 7 year old likes to say. The final steps include branding, a mineral oil bath, and a round of waxing with our proprietary Board Balm.  Last but not least, Natalie puts the finishing touches with packaging and  shipping and it’s off to its new home!

We wouldn’t say there’s any real secret to success when it comes to small businesses but here’s what worked for us: Come up with some sort of a business plan or mission, it doesn’t have to be this big grand report, just something that will help guide you whether it be manufacturing, sales, or whatever. Decide how you want to market your business. Social media is a great tool but it is very saturated so find a way to stand out. Also, do what you can to build a genuine organic following who will help you grow your business. Lastly, try to take some manageable risks and be creative. Your customers will let you know what works and what doesn’t!


We have had a hard time being away from Seward. Leaving was by far our hardest Coast Guard move to date. There is no place like it in the world and the memories we made there will be with us forever. Whether it was hiking to see Exit Glacier, grabbing some brisket from Firebrand, having a picnic at Lowell Point, or going down to the culvert for some late night/early morning fishing. We all feel so lucky to have lived in such a magical town. That place is special and a piece of us will always be there and we hope to return one day. That’s why we feel like it’s so special our boards will be at Forest, Tides, and Treasures - a part of us is still there in our favorite little Alaskan town!

Follow Paul & Natalie's Business on their Instagram: @jacob_design_co

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Ed Boudreau - First Friday June 2021

May 14, 2021

Ed Boudreau of Boudreau Photography
(Instagram: @ed_boudreau_photography)

Town: Eagle River, AK


Ed is a landscape and nature photographer currently living in Eagle River Alaska. After serving 28 years in the Air Force his focused turned to exploring this great state where he soon rekindled his love for photography and has been having a blast running amuck throughout Alaska, capturing her beauty and somehow staying one step ahead of the bears.

He has been featured in Alaska Magazine, Last Frontier and International magazines, as well as in a variety of yearly calendars and a number of online, local and State photo contests to include; Alaska State Fair, Fur Rondy, Eagle River Bear Paw Festival, Alaska Wild, Alaska Magazine 2018 photo of the year and the prestigious Rarified Light.


 When did you first start in photography?:
2010

What inspires you to create?:
My inspiration comes from trying to capture the balance between light and the subject matter. For me the subject is the raw beauty of nature and more specifically, Alaska scenery.

What’s your favorite thing to see/do in Alaska?:
Depends on the time of year.  But the Alaska Autumn and Northern Lights pull me to get outside more than not.

What is your advice for aspiring artists?
One of the basic rules I tell people is to always look behind them.  I have found "The Shot", more times than not, is the one waiting for you to capture 180 degrees away...


Come & Meet Ed the FIRST Friday of June (4th)
at FTT for our First Friday Art Walk - 6-8pm!

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Amanda Rose Warren - First Friday May 2021

May 05, 2021

Amanda Rose Warren / Anchorage, Alaska 
(@amandarosewarren_artist)

I'm 33 year old mother of 2 boys. Moved here to Alaska like a lot of transplants, at two years old my father was in the army and was stationed from Kansas to AK. 
I’m an Acrylic artist and illustrator of colorful animals and landscapes. (Just published my first book!!) My goal as a creator is to make the viewer smile, spark happiness and give the art a soul full of joy. 

I began painting about 7 years ago after dabbling in custom cakes for friends and family. Self taught but did take a few pottery classes in high school, now I wish I had branched out to more art classes! 

Shortly after putting paint brush to canvas my mother became ill with stage 4 cancer. I wanted to use my painting for not only a creative outlet but to also help with her medical expenses. We started by auctioning pieces on social media which eventually led to getting custom work, pet portraits and a small start of a blooming art career. 

A few years Later, I lost mother and fathers within a month of each other in 2017. It was rough. I used the time to immerse myself into creating and focusing on making the art a full time business. Since then I’ve created many works, and learned to produce all our own paper and canvas prints in studio. I was able to have my husband quit his many jobs to work with me full time. Exciting and scary as that was, we are at 2 years now and looking at expanding more! 

All of this has not been an overnight success, many writ turns, dumb choices, smart ones too! And time. so my first advice would be to be patient (which I honestly hated hearing this when I first began) learn to grow that muscle of patience! 

Another tip is to be a sponge!! Business and creative inspiration is everywhere these days. Take the time to stop and think and evaluate other business that inspire you. How are they winning, how have they won your attention? Words visuals, learn get inspired and put it into your business somehow. Always be learning, You can Google pretty much anything! Don’t let the unknowing stop you from moving forward. 

I love Alaska and everyday I’m blown away by the new talent I see!! New businesses, new creatives it’s awesome! We are an amazing state with views and opportunity for days! 

My favorite time to get inspired is trips to Alaska wildlife center, zoo (really seeing any animals gets me giddy as a little kid) I also tend to get A lot of creative ideas on long road trips with no WiFi, helps disconnect and let your brain settle work through some things that are tangled up in there. Oh except I can’t forget some good podcasts and tunes on the road. I can’t live without a variety of music! 


Come & Meet Amanda THIS Friday (May 7th)
at FTT for our First Friday Art Walk - 6-8pm!

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Todd Salat & Marisa Phasomsap

April 01, 2021

Welcome to our Heart of Art Blog!
Forests, Tides & Treasures takes great pride in each artist & maker featured in our Seward shop. They are the pulse of what we do, inspiring our hearts to explore & create within our great Alaskan community and beyond!
Meet these creative minds - 
Todd Salat (Aurora Hunter) & Marisa Phasomsap:

Todd Salat - Aurora Hunter (photography)

(Website: www.aurorahunter.com)

Todd Salat / Residing in Anchorage, AK
I started off working in Alaska as a geologist, then quit my corporate job to be an artist. That was over 25 years ago and I’ve never looked back.  
(You can find the longer version of Todd's Bio on his website!)
When did you first start in photography?
When I was 9 years old and had the good fortune of being gifted with an instamatic camera. Been shooting ever since.
What inspires you to create?
Nature, especially Alaskan nature!  I see so many cool scenes that I want to preserve with a camera. Then I can relieve the moment any time I want, forever.
What’s your favorite thing to see/do in Alaska?
The aurora is my favorite thing to see, and photographing the “lights” is my favorite thing to do.  Exploring anywhere in Alaska or the world with my wife, best buddy & partner, Shay, is equally as fun!
What advice do you have for aspiring artists?
Do what you love and the money will follow.  If you’re just doing it for a hobby, then be free. But if you’re hoping to do it for a living then it pays to keep track of what version of your art form sells the best. If you want to generate profitable income then it’s time to put on the savvy business hat.  I do my own accounting & taxes so I have records of where every penny has come & gone for the past 25 years I’ve been in business.  No doubt there’s a learning curve involved and I feel very fortunate that I love math & numbers, which has been key. It’s a boom & bust lifestyle so budgeting is critical.  But enough about business, getting back to doing what you love is the unique gift you can impart onto the world!  Show off your talent!   I think the combination of passion & talent coupled with business sense is the magic equation for success & sustainability.   In other words, ya gotta work hard, but hopefully it doesn’t feel like “work” most of the time. 
 

Marisa Phasomsap

(Instagram: @marisa.p.art)
Marisa is also our in-house artist!

My name is Marisa Phasomsap, I live in Seward, Alaska, and I am 17 years old. I am born and raised in Alaska, and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I have been creating art for as long as I can remember. My parents still have art pieces I made when I was five hanging on the wall, and each time I look at it, it reminds me of how much I’ve grown. My art has always reflected my home and the beauty around me. My favorite subjects to paint are the animals of Alaska and the amazing landscapes. I grew up playing in the mud, snag fishing, hiking, and camping under stars, so when I make my art, I try to capture those nostalgic feelings with each brushstroke I make. 

Each time I start a new piece, I ALWAYS make myself a cup of tea. That is the only type of planning I do; everything after that is just following my gut and having fun. Something to remember is that there will always be haters and people who want to tear you down. The important thing is as long as you’re happy with your work and you feel satisfied, no one else’s opinions matter.

Is your favorite artist featured at FTT? Let us know below!

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Ed Boudreau & Max Romey

March 01, 2021

This edition of the Heart of Art Blog brings you an inside look at Ed Boudreau and Max Romey, two adventurous Alaskan souls who live for its natural beauty!

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Headband Happy AK & Vintage Poppy

January 30, 2021 1 Comment

Welcome to our Heart of Art Blog!

Forests, Tides & Treasures takes great pride in each artist & maker featured in our Seward shop. They are the pulse of what we do, inspiring our hearts to explore & create our great Alaskan community and beyond!

Meet the strong, creative women behind Headband Happy & Vintage Poppy:


Annie Anderson of Headband Happy AK


May be an image of 1 person

Eagle River, AK

When did you start creating?:
I started creating headbands in 2014 but I have always been creating things 😉

What inspires you to create?:
Loving to spend time in the outdoors inspires me to make functional and fun headbands.

What’s your favorite Alaskan activity?:
My favorite thing to do in Alaska is climbing new peaks!

What is your advice for aspiring artists?
Don't be afraid to take a chance with your art and never worry about what everyone or anyone else is doing!

No photo description available.

 




Faith Bates of Vintage Poppy

May be an image of 1 person, standing and outdoors

 I was Born in Anchorage raised in eagle river.
I grew up in Alaska spending the summers fishing,
A staple in our home was salmon and moose. Still is :)

Married to my husband Joe for 18 years, we have 3 sons. During the long summer days you will find us outside 4-wheeling or hunting and berry picking.

What inspires you to create?:
13 years ago, I had a toddler and a bun in the oven, as a creative outlet and a way to support my family and stay home with my boys I started making jewelry and painting furniture.

What’s your favorite Alaskan activity?:
Creativity was all around growing up, my Great grandmother owned an antique store and my dad a wood worker. I remember my dad always working on some new creation.

What is your advice for aspiring artists?
Over the years I've met some of my closest friends on this journey of Vintage Poppy, my advice has always been “comparison is the thief of joy” you do and make what speaks to YOU. And other will be drawn to that. Because it is inspiring to you! Never give up! Little steps turn into big steps. :)

May be an image of jewelry and text


Is your favorite artist featured at FTT? Let us know below!

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