Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Merritt.
Hi Joseph, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
How does one start, that is a question. Growing up in the A was crazy in the 80s and 90s. There where so many changes and things going on it was hard not to get lost in it. Skateboarding was life to us in these days. And well I fell in love with the designs and decks. Not to mention the graffiti scene was booming. Everywhere you look there were buildings going up and things coming down. The ever-changing city was just awe inspiring. I began sculpting bars of soap when I was around 11, drawing and design had always been a part of my life. Well like a lot of youth rebellion was in and I found myself on the streets. I’ve always had to learn from hard lessons, that’s just how I was built. So I slept in the streets, spare change with the punks in little five; this was around the time the punk and strength edge movement was sweeping the city. It was not easy to live on the streets at 16. There were a lot of hard lessons learned. I got picked up by some people I knew to go be a witness at a wedding, that’s when changes begun. This ex-con, that old-school punk guy broke down at the wedding. He says the simplest thing is laziness its a disease. He started talking about how we waste so much time. How if we only went after the things we truly wanted without stop. Well, that is the day I changed course. I started digging out of the hole I made, I knew I wanted to be an artist-designer, but still had no idea how. I joined the Marines, it was three square meals and time to figure it out.
The Marines was crazy but fun. A family again after losing the one I was adopted into, another through sweat and blood. They gave me the determination to never give up. I went to art school after my service had ended. I knew what I wanted and I was going for it. I was not going to be lazy. His words are still there every day. After art school, I got into sculptures, and graphic design. Which, to make a long story short, is where our companies begin. Blue Jay Custom is our graphic company, where we mainly wrap vehicles with vinyl graphics and logos. We also do decals and shirts. Jmerritt Studios is my art, we take commissions on paintings, sculptures and hand-painted signs. The truth is you never really know where you will end up, but you can plan a route. Once you know your direction never stop driving forward, don’t be lazy ever. That’s basically or all that mixed with honesty and quality. In business, if you say you’re going to do it, then make sure you do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Wow, struggles are always a thing, some more than others. While life never stops, we are sure to see struggles. I was homeless for about three years, I don’t see struggles as a bad thing. Being homeless, I learned a lot. I was addicted to drugs, in a fast-paced, high intensity to push market with a ton of competitors. It happens, we push so hard that we feel maybe this will help. That was the hardest struggle I ever beat back. There were a lot of lessons on the way and I’m sure there will be more to come. The only thing I know is if it is worth it, the path you choose it will not be easy, and if it was easy, it would not be fun.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in graphics, shirts, storefront graphics, logo design, vehicle graphics, magnetic signs, and much more, I own two businesses, the first being Blue Jay Customs. This is my graphic design and sign company; we also wrap cars. Then there is Jmerritt Studios, my art, I work mainly and sculptures, stone, steel, and found objects. My training is in romanticism, however I am more of a 1920s, Art lover. Give me cubism, surrealism, dada, and all the others. This is the Kurt Cobain period in the arts. My work comes from life, memories, love, hate, and pain. I work mainly from the inside out. My works are pieces of me, broken chips of my heart put out into this world for viewing. What sets me apart that is a question, I never stoop, no surrender. I had a truly rough life, almost hard imagining. However, I was also a Marine, the things I learned there hold with me today. Most important thing is never stop. This world wants you to fail, there are so many ways to do just that. Fails are just steps in the learning process, but if you stop and dwell on them they are like quicksand. The things that I am proud of most would be my children, wife, and my sobriety. My beautiful wife is key to our success, she handles all media accounts and books. Jessica my partner handles the everyday with house, kids, and all. She gives me the drive and time to create. A good partner is always important.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Sidhartha, and one of my favorite books about following your dreams. I’m not much of a fictional guy. I like books of facts. My go-to is YouTube, if I have something that I cannot figure out always find it here. There is a video on it somewhere in there. I don’t watch a lot of TV, read a lot of books or spend too much time in the cyber world. I use it for business and to keep in touch with friends. I spend my time creating, it’s not a choice, I have got to create. It is hard to explain, but I’m a different person without art. Without my wife and family this would not be possible.
Pricing:
- Vehicle graphics start at $100.00 then depending on design details and size go up.
- Logo design is a flat rate at $200.00. This gets you three designs, usable in different mediums.
- Free art happens every summer, I randomly place sculptures all over and send out clues. Finders keepers, I do this local.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Blue Jay Customs and JmerrittStudios
Image Credits
Image are all from blue-j customs and Jmerritt Studios, art and graphics.
