We had the good fortune of connecting with BERNZ WOOD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi BERNZ WOOD, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Our dad loves working and creating with wood, naturally my older brother and I fell in love with it as well. Bernardo Valdez (my brother) created BERNZ WOOD in 2019. BERNZ is what we call him and WOOD because it was the main focus on his builds. Bernardo’s career was in Electrical Engineer, he was definitely the big brains but also had a loved to create. Bernardo began with custom building his own bed, adding multiple storage cabinets. Berna also built a house big enough for his dog. Projects around him would arise and he would create. In beginning of 2020 he passed away. During that time our dad would keep busy and work on personal projects, one of them was a round kitchen table he created; he asked me to order a wood burning tool to burn a phrase around the edges of wooden table. When the tool arrived, I tested it out and began to use it with no previous experience, I completely fell in love with it and eventually kept the tool. I wanted to continue what he started, continue his legacy and keep him alive. That is how BERNZ WOOD has become what it is now. We do this together, I create the art pieces and Bernardo adds meaning, inspiration and life to all of it, he is the reason behind all of this, Bernardo creator of BERNZ WOOD.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
BERNZ WOOD has become what keeps my brother alive and close to me. This is something we are both doing as a team and as creators without him there is no BERNZ WOOD. Our work is surrounded by what we love. We mostly focus on pyrography (wood burning by hand), we also build and create from wood. Berna and I have a love for boxes, so we build boxes and add a little something to keep them unique. Berna and I had some similar interest and in those interest is what I want to create from. People really love the memorial pieces and portraits that we create, it still blows our mind the level of trust they hold with us to create a piece of their loved one. We consider ourselves a Jack of all trades we just love creating and learning new things to incorporate in our work, we can’t keep our hands just set in one thing we love to try things out, from woodwork to sewing, screen printing, pouring with epoxy, etc. it all goes back to BERNZ WOOD and making it a unique piece. It has been and it still a learning process on building a business and sharing our work. It has definitely been incredible to meet so many different people and have deep conversations or share and exchange ideas along the way that have shaped BERNZ WOOD. One of the lessons that has stood out and still learning, is to just go for it and enjoy, you never know when your last day will be, why keep waiting for perfect moment, a day at a time. We want people to know that each of our pieces are created with love, intention and much care, they are an extension of us making a connection with someone which is a beautiful feeling.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Silver strand is one of favorite places to go. Start the day bike riding from Imperial beach making our way to Coronado and smelling nature, listening to the water and being between bodies of water, especially when its sunrise it’s pretty epic! Stop in Barrio Logan, they have art galleries, walk in studios to see, amazing food and drinks, one of our personal favorites is the Mazapan Latte inside Por Vida cafe. Then we would make our way up to Bonita there is a spot where you can oversee most of San Diego, its beautiful. Balboa Park and its beautiful gardens is a must, that can be a whole day in itself! To finish the day a trip to Sunset Cliffs, sitting on the cliffs and feeling the wind on your face makes is a awesome spot to create and also to unwind. San Diego is filled with beautiful nature all around!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, Bernardo Valdez my brother who created BERNZ WOOD, without him this would not exist. Berna is the heart that drives every bit of that we pour into creating art and sharing it with the world. There is something very special in BERNZ WOOD that not only I see or believe in. His friends and family are a huge part of this, his friends would order custom builds from Bernardo and to this day they put them to use; our family who blindly supports BERNZ WOOD in any way they can. Steven one of Bernas closest person as well as mine has listen to our ideas and has been through it all with us, push us to grow as a person and as a business, a special thank you to our parents who have always supported any dream we have. Our sister who has gone out to vend with us as well and her daughter, our niece Jay who has now started a collection of our pieces on her wall and peeks in to see what we are up to all the time. We would also like to thank amazing people in Barrio Logan who have welcomed us with open arms, Soni Lopez-Chavez amazing artist who allowed us our first art piece in a show with La Bodega art Gallery in Nov. of 2020. Jazmine Puentes and Araseli talented artist and solid people from CompArte Gallery and Luna Bloom who have allowed us to share our artwork and have our first vending experience! Mary Jhun, a hell of an artist, one who we look up to as our mentor has helped us organize and help out in any way possible and now holds a special place in our hearts. This year I had the opportunity to meet with an insanely talented and pure soul Rob McDowell, who has helped me in my personal growth as an artist and given me back the fire I need to continue to push forward in life. Last but not least Ainara from MUXU creations who have also inspired us and push us to become better in our craft. All these talent ed artists and amazing human beings have been a blessing and have made an impact on BERNZ WOOD. Also shout out to every one of you who have supported BERNZ WOOD in any way possible, to those who have custom pieces from us we thank you and we are forever grateful!

Website: bernzwood.com

Instagram: @bernz.wood

Other: bernzwood@hotmail.com

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