{"title":"Jimmy Smith","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"tab-stops: 96.6pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist Statement: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"tab-stops: 96.6pt;\"\u003eI 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"tab-stops: 96.6pt;\"\u003eDuring 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"tab-stops: 96.6pt;\"\u003eAfter 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"tab-stops: 96.6pt;\"\u003eThen I made a catastrophic mistake: I bought my first piece of walnut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"tab-stops: 96.6pt;\"\u003ePlot 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"tab-stops: 96.6pt;\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"tab-stops: 96.6pt;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0780\/8101\/files\/Jimmy-26.jpg?v=1779035810\" alt=\"\" width=\"266\" height=\"399\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0780\/8101\/collections\/Gemini_Generated_Image_2axg1y2axg1y2axg.png?v=1779035827","url":"https:\/\/www.crossroadsartcenter.com\/collections\/jimmy-smith.oembed","provider":"Crossroads Art Center","version":"1.0","type":"link"}