Jimmy Smith

Artist Statement:

I retired from the Air Force in 2016 and immediately returned to the DoD as a contractor for six years — because apparently freedom is a concept I needed more time to process. This included a delightful 14-month excursion to Kabul, Afghanistan, before I eventually landed a position as a government civilian.

During that time, COVID happened, and my wife — an early childhood educator — began making sugar cookies to pass the time. What started as a quarantine hobby quickly became a thriving side hustle. Around that same time, she began hinting that I should perhaps put down the video games. The hints were not subtle... #TheyWereNotSubtle.

After four or five years of her relentless persistence, she wore me down. I resolved to make custom cornhole boards — bought a fancy jig, several sheets of ¾" plywood, and even built a slick vertical cutting rack. I was fully committed.

Then I made a catastrophic mistake: I bought my first piece of walnut.

Plot twist — not a single cornhole board was created by these two hands. I fell completely and irreversibly in love with live-edge hardwood. The boards never stood a chance. In August 2025, I officially opened a booth at the Ruckersville Gallery.

The Pinterest algorithm, sensing weakness, immediately flooded my feed with resin wall art and handcrafted lights. I had no defense. I now primarily create handcrafted lighting (my true passion), live-edge tables, wine racks, and accent pieces — and I regret nothing.