Meet Ners Neonlumberjack | Artist & National Park Ranger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ners Neonlumberjack and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ners, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I am National Park Ranger. I could not have stated this just over one year ago. What a rollercoaster ride of an adventure it has been in this short amount of time. And none of this would have happened had I stayed in my comfortable home, so I took it upon myself to rebuild my ’64 camper for life off grid. My work is inspired by all of the amazing landscapes, flora, and fauna this country has to offer. Starting a journey on the road without exact aim in of itself is risky, let alone where the adventures take me. Each day is a new adventure. From the dunes of Indiana, wetlands of Louisiana, canyons of Utah, highest and lowest points in California, they all come with new information, inspiration, and great unknowns. Not merely travel, but getting to know the tiniest details in each area rather than just a greatest hits reel.
From an inspiration perspective, the vast and varying experiences create ideal conditions for new works. The environments themselves not so much. Dealing with film in cold temperatures, paint markers at high elevation, and monsoon wind and rain make for interesting outcomes for spray paint on paper ideation. Something as simple as a square has seeped into my recent works due to these conditions. A great deal of my time is spent outdoors, hiking, kayaking, and having my studio be the open air. I have taken up photography to combine both the pleasure of making and basking in the landscapes. Polaroid can be temperamental in varying conditions, and mixed with my enthusiastic ignorance of film photography makes for a different mindset when I am not painting or sculpting. Literally having to think inside the box with the square format brings welcome challenges, changing up my mindset. As a starting point the newness brings joy. As a painter and sculptor the limitations are quite apparent which lead me to think of the great unknowns of what’s next and where it will take the work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Art about nature, made in nature, inspired by nature, and usually made from nature.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Load your pack with the wilderness essentials and a notebook or sketchbook for a canoe trip on the French Broad River. There are countless picturesque areas in eastern Tennessee, but this river has my heart. As far as specifics, having an open ended plan to just be out and enjoy the days and nights is best. There are campgrounds, cabins, small towns, bars, restaurants, and local fishing spots awaiting.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Props to poppy + ash interiors, and Josh Hailey Studio. Home is an interesting concept when you come to think of it. These two have given me some fresh perspective on the matter.

Website: www.neonlumberjack.com

Instagram: neonlumberjack