4 minute read
Featured Artist
Live by the Tides
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By Amy Thurman
Photos provided by Live by the Tides Background Image by Orange Grove Media
Featured Artist: Mike Smith
It takes a special kind of creative mind to see a beaten up piece of wood, covered in mud, and think, “I could make something with that!” But that’s just what Savannah native Mike Smith does, using scraps of wood he fi nds discarded, and driftwood he comes across in the marsh or tidal creeks.
From his childhood, into adulthood and his career at International Paper, and now in his retirement, Mike has always loved being out on the water, fi shing, crabbing, harvesting oysters and throwing a cast net. While many would toss aside the bits of driftwood they come across, Mike got to thinking that maybe he could gather a few more and turn them into the shape of a fi sh. So he did. He found he enjoyed the process and made more, giving some away, selling others, and trying new designs. About fi ve years ago, Mike was talking with his daughter Alana about their love of the outdoors and commented, “Everything we do around here is based on the tides. We live by the tides.” The phrase stuck and Alana purchased the domain
www.livebythetides.com as a gift for her dad. They adopted their early fi sh design as a logo, and in time, a business grew out of his hobby. While Mike's crafting his art, Alana takes care of shipping and the company's graphic design needs, while her brother Jarrod takes on marketing tasks.
In addition to a line of diff erent sea life pieces of wood art, Mike also creates custom pieces on request, and a couple years ago added a line of hats and shirts with the logo fi sh and his motto. Mike hopes his work will inspire others to immerse themselves in the coastal lifestyle and learn to live by the tides as well.
Wood art, opposite: Redfi sh, turtle and crabs. Above: Logo fi sh and American Flag. Photos, opposite: Mike enjoying a favorite activity. This page, clockwise: Daughter Alana displaying her catch, with husband Drew. Grandson Asher with his prize fi sh. Mike and son Jarrod, oystering. Son Graham, with his catch. Below Graham is a patriotic fi sh with a Gold Star engraving Mike made in memory of his son. Even through their loss, the family remains dedicated to American military members and their families. The fi sh is now proudly displayed by Nine Line Apparel at their new facility.
Where to fi nd Live by the Tides: www.livebythetides.com Coff ee Bluff Marina Ella's in Richmond Hill Flying Fish Bar & Grill Hale Marine Landings Harbor Marina Polka Dots Quick Rx Boutique River Supply Rivers & Glenn Outfi tters The Tourist Trap, Tybee
