Jacob Baker is the talented artist behind Design Canoe Studio, where he channels his love of the outdoors into beautiful and functional sculptures. Each piece evokes a sense of the elements; river rocks and driftwood mix with the organic lines of metal and glass to mimic wind, fire and water. We are in awe of Jacob's sophisticated and earthy designs!
Who are you and what do you do?
I am a Minneapolis artist who designs and creates multimedia sculptural pieces using driftwood, stained glass, stone, metals, and candle light.
Is this a full-time business for you?
Yes, this is my job. I have a working studio on the corner of Chicago Ave. and 34th St in southeast Minneapolis.
What do you think sets your designs apart from others?
The combination of materials I use is typically something new for people. Glass , stone, wood, and metal don't often find their way into the same compositions and it allows me to set my own rules. I design my work to be interesting from all angles and often evoke a sense of movement or flow in the pieces. My use of candle light is also novel and gives the works a completely different life after the sun goes down.
What are some inspirations for your work?
Shorelines provide my inspiration. Whether it's Lake Superior or the Atlantic Ocean, the places where big water, land, and sky meet are filled with energy, motion, and constant change. I collect many of my materials from shorelines and even after they return to my studio, I listen to their voices and honor this in what I craft.
Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting story behind it?
Design Canoe Studio reflects the joy I've had paddling with a great friend in a fine birchbark canoe that we built together years ago. In it, I have has ventured along many shorelines, each of them a special and cherished place.
Check out more of Jacob's designs online, and be sure to stop by his booth at the Minneapolis Gift & Art Expo, November 3-5, 2017 at the Minneapolis Convention Center!