Maker Profile: Cory Brown

This is Cory Brown, photographed at his home off the grid in the woods near Sebastopol. I've always been fascinated by multi-disciplinary artists, homesteaders, DIY-ers and rewilders. People who reject living within the constraints and norms imposed by the mainstream society, and forge their own alternative universe. Cory is one of those people. Most of the objects you see in these photos were made by himself, with his own hands: the vest he's wearing, the tree house he lives in, the sauna, the root cellar, the wooden gate to the vegetable garden, the suspended bridge, the suspended tree overlook. I wanted more process shots, but when I visited for this shoot, there was nothing actively "in the works", so I hope to go back and continue documenting during the making of a new project.

I asked Cory to describe himself in his own words: "I like creating things, all types of things: art, music, tools, clothes, films, food, contraptions, structures, jokes. I live in a small forest village. It's somewhat primitive, which I have certain tendencies towards. Not because I fear the world is going to end, but because I've found my spirit really enjoys what this lifestyle requires of me and offers to me. I'm just a curious human having fun, paying attention to details, looking for beauty wherever possible, trying to listen to what's presently wanting to be created. I’ve picked up a diverse array of skills because of this over the years, which really helps in being able to bring whatever visions I have to life. In the electrical profession they use a term for someone on their way to becoming a master, called a journeyman. I think that is the closest title I could give myself. A man on a journey, ever changing, ever unfolding, trying to listen to how it wants to dance with me. Ultimately I’m just another human, trying to bring as much joy as possible to my life and others lives. Thats the goal."