Today we’d like to introduce you to Grant Gill.
Hi Grant, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I studied Sculpture and Graphic Design in undergrad at Belmont. After graduating, I moved to a small city in Slovakia that was only a 2-hour train ride to Vienna, Austria. On the weekends, I would ride the train into Vienna, sit in the cafes posing like a local, and tour the plethora of museums. I quickly fell in love with an art and design museum that often showcased collectible design objects that drew my eye (famous/historic chair and table designs for example).
After moving back to the states, I began a sculpture program at Florida State, but all I really wanted to do was make furniture, not necessarily sculpture. So, I left the program and began an apprenticeship in Birmingham, Alabama (couch surfing at times to make ends meet, full starving-artist mode).
After completing my apprenticeship, I moved back to Nashville to start up my own studio.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Leaving Florida State was very difficult. Partly, it felt like letting the dream of being a full-time sculptor fall by the wayside. I don’t feel that way now, but it was a little emotional at the time.
I also loved teaching at FSU, and leaving the classroom is something I still miss.
After that, most of the struggles were admittedly financial. I’m sure you can imagine what an entry-level apprenticeship in carpentry pays. Haha. And after moving to Nashville, I was working a full-time construction job and building furniture all night and on the weekends.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in custom furniture that emphasizes solid wood design.
One of the aspects that is crucial to the custom furniture process that I enjoy is walking through the details of why this material may be better than another in a given scenario or how a certain type of piece may wear and last over time. I think this is a valuable resource for my clients so that they get a piece that they will love for the long haul.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
In some ways, I feel that I have taken a good amount of risk, but looking back, it seems that taking those risks paid off more often than not and maybe only felt like a gamble in the moment.
I think dropping out of my Sculpture program at FSU was a risk. I had a scholarship, a stipend, and a graduate teaching position that I really enjoyed. But when I reflect, that path had a limited amount of possibilities, whereas going out on my own really has endless routes that I can choose. The only limiting factor is myself.
To risk sounding cliche, I would encourage anyone thinking about taking a shot to go for it. My greatest fear is growing old and wondering what would have happened if I had tried that thing I always wanted to do.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@grantgillfurniture.com
- Website: www.grantgillfurniture.com
- Instagram: @grantgillfurniture
Image Credits
Nick McGinn Photography April Tomlin Interiors
