Daily Inspiration: Meet Tyler MacDonald

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler MacDonald. 

Hi Tyler, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
TYLERMAC, Artist, Luthier, Musician. My Story Starts with a Saxophone and 35mm. Right from the get-go, I knew I was an Artist before I knew what that meant. by 13, I was mastering the Woodwinds, music theory, and playing in orchestra. As this was unfolding I was deep into the photography world. Nature made sense to me, and I was keen on escaping through the lens. Traveling around the world and selling independently through art festivals from 2008-2020. Sometime in 2019, a sense of emptiness struck me and this is when I remembered my once cherished music in which I hadn’t played in years. Most of my musical knowledge was around woodwinds, I hadn’t yet played a guitar at 23. So, I picked up some hand planes and got to work building my first guitar in which I taught myself how to play on. Most of the wood I harvest myself around the country along my travels, mostly salvaged trees, etc. I’ve got a growing collection of 50+ species of hardwoods that have been sent through my kiln for ideal moisture content for building. Hand carved fitted neck, shop wound humbucker pickups, my hands are on every part of the 200+ hr build of a guitar. Putting this time into building makes me a better player with a deeper understanding of what those vibrating strings do. You won’t find my music anywhere because it’s mostly to personal for me to put out into the world just yet. My plans for 2023 are to drop my first LP, mostly sounds, a meditation, something like nature, and long soundscapes. Titled “The Dance of Life and Everything Living” keep an eye out for that Until then 

One Love 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being an artist is not really a choice, it chose me as I didn’t fit in anywhere else. And I’m happy it did. I never really felt comfortable around people, I feel tension and emotions in a room of people. And add in the dreaded small talk, I’m setting myself up for a week of recovery after just a few hours of socializing. Spending time alone was not really well received growing up and staying true to myself is still one of my daily struggles. Saying no to people took a long time to get comfortable with, but showing up every day for my art is the most important thing, where the meaning lie. You can find me at Art festivals in Denver, park-city, Chicago, or elsewhere around the country, and between those, well I’ll be working 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My main focus recently has been building the absolute best and most unique guitars. What’s unique about them is they are all 1/1 originals; I have no desire to go mass production with these. each guitar has a personality depending on the Wood selections and electronics used. 

My current 2d work is Digital mixed media and will be seen on my upcoming album release. It’s something fun and makes me happy, creating it keeps me in that creative space 

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
The War of Art – Steven Pressfield 

Art & Fear – David Bayles, Ted Orland 

Quiet – Susan Cain 

Pricing:

• guitars range from mid 2,000s- 12,000+ depending on the rarity of the woods and complexity of construction

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TYLERMAC.com
• Instagram: TYLERMAC_Studios
• Facebook: TYLERMAC Studios

Image Credits
Tyler MacDonald