You know those people that you could sit and talk to for hours? Learning their life stories over time and coffee, but somehow you feel as if you may never know everything about them. Secrets crop up like flowers in the spring, beautiful flourishes of character taking you by surprise.
This is how I feel about Josh Harvey. He is a gent (if you know him, that term applies particularly well), whom I have only known for a spell, and yet, I feel like I have had the pleasure of whiling away the hours with him for ages. Not to mention he and Drew are kindred spirits who would get into all sorts of trouble should they live in the same city.
I first met Josh when he was a touring musician with the band Gungor. He played guitar, had lots of tattoos, wore button up shirts with vests, vintage shoes, and accessorized his ensamble with the upmost care. It makes perfect sense then, that his ventures in life would lead him to create a custom, one of a kind, hand etched line of jewelry flasks, lighters, and home goods, that harken to another era. His taste and ascetic leading him to bring The Sneerwell into existence.
The time and technique it takes to design and delicately create each piece for his hand crafted line transcends patience; I am convinced the man is a saint. Then again he would probably say the exact oposite.
That being said, ladies and gentlemen, I give to you, Joshua Harvey.
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Q.What led you to etching?
A. My original self employed job was a muralist. While I was plotting out a design at a coffee shop one day a woman approached me. She had peaked over my shoulder and said she liked my work then proceeded to ask if I would be interested in apprenticing at her husband’s glass etching shop. Smartly enough I just packed up my things and followed her to wherever it was she was taking me and I fell in love with the craft immediately, once I was introduced.
Q.Do you have a favorite medium to work with?
A. I suppose I would have to say pencil and paper, I’m actually not a terribly good painter I’ve just done a relatively good job faking it over the years.
Q.Where do you draw inspiration for your pieces from?
A. I’ve spent a great deal of time whittling that down, but essentially I find it lands on five genres which are- British macabre, rock n’ roll, the American Frontier, Hot Rod culture and anything to do with the sea.
Q.Why Denver?
A. I’m from San Diego originally and no matter how much my heart feels nostalgic about it, home is people. I’ve found Denver to be just the right amount of mountain, city, and kindness.
Q.Favorite haunts around town?
A. Lets see. Crema, Our Mutual Friend Brewery and the majority of the salty side of Larimer.
Q.What can we look forward to from The Sneerwell in 2013?
A. More of the existing offerings and I plan to expand upon the jewelry portion as well as introducing more of the sort of men’s essentials I gravitate towards.
Q.Current musical obsession?
A. I listen to primarily old jazz and swing, rickity blues and chamber music. I have an anxious nature, so much else will stress me out. If I’ve payed all my bills and I’m not in a relationship with someone obnoxious I’ll listen to black sabbath.
Q.Hope or dream, personal or professional, for this year?
A. Oh, that never changes all that much. Continue to make something of myself and be less of a jackass.
Q.What is the best thing about being a creative? What is the worst?
A. I’m not a very big admirer of this world or this generation. The best thing about being a creative is making the world more like you would have it. The worst thing is that you are probably crazy and you forfeit the normal things that can be very desirable sometimes.
Q.Beer, wine, or cocktail? Best spot in Denver to have a beverage?
A. I used to drink half a bottle of whisky a day. Currently its beer for me when I’m out and if I do that it will be at Our Mutual Friend, Sputnik or the parking lot of “A small print shop” with a baseball mitt and my dog.
Q.Favorite ritual?
A. Waking up very slowly and remembering to respect the very first moments of the day knowing that they will shape all of my interactions.
Q.What is one thing you could never live without?
A. Spicy food. I could never live in ireland.
Q.Life motto or mantra?
A. I’m not sure I have one of those. I spend every day doing my best to become like the man my dad was. That’s a mantra of sorts I suppose.
Q.If you could go anywhere, do anything, at this very moment, what would it be?
A. I’d be in london on a walk.
Q.Best piece of advice you have ever received?
A. Curb your emotions when people are counting on you, take care of them and keep them safe. Even when you don’t know what to do.
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He is a gentlemans gentleman is he not? Ladies (and gents), do try not to swoon.
For more information or to make a purchase (because you know you want to) click here. To follow his work, click here. Or to simply be amused by his life’s meanderings click here.
Josh, you sir are fantastic. Thank you for sharing your musings, do stay in touch, I look forward to seeing what you will come up with next.
xx
