Bio
Alex Jepson is an emerging artist who lives in the Kootenays of British Columbia, after being raised in the greater Toronto area. At a young age he fell in love with exploring the outdoors while camping, hiking, canoeing and snowboarding. Growing up he was inspired by the artwork of his family members and ancestors, as well as the classic works of Lawren Harris, Tom Thompson and Vincent Van Gogh.
Alex graduated from Ivey Business School at Western University in 2013, where he focused on entrepreneurship and social enterprise. At school and in the years that followed, Alex maintained his passion for art and creativity through Photoshop and digital art projects. Alex worked for a number of different companies in the years that followed, but continued to struggle with his mental health and deep depression. Eventually his suffering became so great that he could no longer continue doing what traditionally “made sense” and began to follow his heart. In 2018 this led him to begin his exploration of wood art, which completely changed his life. He quickly became enamored with the medium and process – specifically the connection to nature and the sense of peace woodwork provided through flow states.
Alex began the journey of becoming a craftsman with this burning need to reclaim his life, leading to a radical transformation. He now creates art as a devotional act to the beauty all around us, with hopes that he can share the awe inspiring, regenerative and connective qualities of the natural world with his customers. Alex views his art form as a co-creation with nature, which helps him maintain a deep connection to his roots and the world around him.
Artist Statement
“I create artwork to connect with a flow state, where thoughts clear away and my sense of time vanishes. Being completely absorbed in the process is a deeply meditative feeling, where I feel deeply connected with the world around me.
Using natural hardwood as my main medium allows me to connect and co-create with nature, while entering a place where I feel grounded, peaceful and alive. I invite my viewers to experience a deeper connection to the natural world by calmly ‘travelling’ through my flowing designs. I hope you can find a sense of peace and awe while exploring the natural patterns in the wood grain of my art pieces or seeing how the smaller, individual pieces come together as one interconnected whole.
I create my designs mostly based on natural subjects that provide me with a sense of awe, often centered around Canadian animals or landscapes. The art pieces are handmade, using a variety of hand and power tools. Hand cutting, carving and handmade frames create a deeply personal and unique piece of artwork.
A crucial part of my process is selecting high quality wood from a variety of local small businesses. The incredible character and wood grain of these products allow me to create unique pieces of artwork, where the natural elements of the wood represent certain intricate details. Selecting high quality wood ensures a long-lasting piece of artwork that can be enjoyed over the years.”