Love Stories: Peace of Wood
“Art and love are the same thing: It’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you.” - Chuck Klosterman
Welcome to Asbury Park Bazaar’s Love Stories Series featuring interviews with makers, designers and artists that you’ll find at the upcoming Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar happening Saturday, February 8th from noon to 5 pm in the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall in beautiful Asbury Park. So many of our vendors have beautiful love stories to share, so we wanted to take the time to share them with you!
Peace of Wood, owned by wife and husband duo Kristina and Marshall Young, create handmade art inspired by surfing, life on the coast, and living a positive life. Marshall creates wood canvasses that Kristina paints on. Their art is always a collaboration and made together from start to finish! We can’t think of a better love story to kick off our series with.
1) When did you meet your partner and how did you get together?
Marshall and I met in 2009. We just celebrated 10 years together this past October. We met in Philadelphia when he was bar tending a night I was out with some girlfriends. He told me I was the most beautiful woman he ever met and asked for my number. I played hard to get at first but after a few weeks, I agreed to a first date and we’ve been together ever since. So crazy looking back and how much has changed on our path together! We worked so hard to build a life at the beach and continue to build our dreams together.
2) Does your partner play a role in your small business?
He is 100% the reason we have a business. He has never stopped believing in my art and our journey. It hasn’t been easy starting a business from the ground up, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. We have grown so much in our relationship through the ups and downs. He has never stopped encouraging me and is the reason I am an artist and an entrepreneur today.
3) What do you love best about your partner?
His smile and his contagious love for life. Marshall has this amazing way of turning any suffering in life into a positive. He encourages and pushes everyone around him to be better, and he never stops believing in dreams. He dreams big and encourages everyone around him to do the same. Marshall has impacted anyone who is blessed to know him in a positive way. I am so proud to call him my husband and honestly am who I am today because of his unconditional love and support.
5) What are your favorite things to do together?
Everything! Haha sounds so cheesy but we honestly love to spend as much time together as possible. We love building our business together and constantly pushing the boundaries of what we can create. We love to surf, share moments by the water, laugh, listen to music, and non-stop road trips up and down the coast. We live a simple life to do what we do so we try to make the most of every single moment.
6) What do you love most about the Asbury Park Bazaar?
We’ve been a part of the Asbury Park Bazaar for 4 years now and we honestly feel so honored to be a part of it! It is by far our favorite event. The community is so encouraging, we’ve met some of the most inspiring and amazing people, and we are constantly blown away by how much they put into each event. We always leave feeling so inspired and encouraged to continue to grow as artists. We are so grateful for our Asbury Park Bazaar community and all the opportunity they provide for all local artists!
7) What will you be selling at the Valentine’s Bazaar?
We will be showcasing a new Valentine’s series of original artwork, greeting cards, prints, stickers, apparel, handmade necklaces, and more! We’ll will be working around the clock this next month to provide you with the best shopping experience and gifts for the ones you love!
Be sure to stop by and say hi to Kristina and Marshall (and pick up one of their amazing art pieces!) at the Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar on Saturday, Feb 8th!