ARTISTREE - Key Persons
Alexander "Alex" Vincent is an integral member of Artistree's design team. Alex contributes immeasurably with his diverse background which spans permaculture, architecture, landscape, and graphic design. He approaches each project from a holistic perspective, improving our team's capacity to make your vision into reality. He passionately believes in design as a tool for both empowerment and healing-healing of the individual, of the collective, and of the world. Alex prides himself on creating regenerative, life-sustaining and beautiful designs that weave the built environment into the natural landscape. In addition to obtaining a B.Arch from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Alex has his Permaculture Design Certificate and has taught many permaculture design courses.
Bethany Currier has a background in business management working for companies such as Well Scent and the National Association of Environmental Medicine. Bethany combines her strengths in organization and customer relations with a passion for sustainability and environmental health. After overcoming a chronic illness related to toxic environmental exposures, Bethany learned that many of the ailments of our world today are a product of our disconnection from nature. She is passionate to promote change in this area for the greater good of all living beings.
Blake offers his leadership in design and technical drawing as a key member of Artistree's design team since 2021. His diverse architectural career spans over 13 years in professional and collegiate sports, aviation, higher education, commercial tech-office, performing arts, and residential design. Graduating with an M.Arch from the University of Kansas, Blake also was a contributing member of the prestigious student-led design-build Studio 804, Inc. and the LEED Platinum 3716 Springfield Project. His diverse professional experiences and his longing to live integrally with life have brought him to Artistree Home to co-lead progressive building, environment, and community design-to rediscover and reflect ancient and proper values of living in the right relationship with the natural world.
Job Titles:
- Architect
- Interior Designer
Both an architect and interior designer, Carolina graduated from the Pontificia Bolivariana University in Medellin, Colombia. She's worked for several architecture and interior design companies in Colombia and the United States designing residential, commercial and public buildings. At Artistree, Carolina brings her passion for design and an understanding of the importance of nature in architecture. Her desire to connect projects to the landscape is deeply rooted and comes from her experience in Colombia, a country with drastic topographies, mountains and changing tropical weather.
Forest Croft joined Artistree Home in early 2014. When we begin a new project, Forest is the first one up the tree and the last one down from it. His superior climbing skills and risk-assessment planning make him the perfect fit for climbing even mighty redwood trees. He draws from a background in film sets, carpentry shops, and serving as a guide in "nature immersion" camps. As the Project Coordinator for El Ranchito's Conservation Corps, Forest organized, managed, and trained over 100 people on trail maintenance, operations, and invasive species removal throughout 500 acres of land. The natural classroom, in its many forms, has ingrained in Forest an appreciation for diversity and a keen desire to connect people with wild spaces. Forest is a valuable member of the ArtisTree team and his passion and respect for the outdoors shine through in his everyday work.
Gregory DeMartini is a builder with over a decade of experience in multiple facets of the construction trade, specializing in carpentry and high-detailed finish work. He studied landscape construction at the Community College of San Francisco and has many years of experience in the gardening and landscaping trades. A lover of plants and of life, in his spare time Greg likes to grow his own food, pray with his community and spend time with his fiancé and their dog. Greg is grateful to offer his talents and skills to the Artistree family, who he has been with since August 2021.
Jack found his way to Artistree after working on various permaculture farms in California. He studied political science and worked for a foreign policy nonprofit before joining Artistree. Jack is a passionate woodworker and home builder and brings his open heart and permaculture view to his team.
Jeff Buss has been a crucial part of Artistree Home since 2014. As a highly skilled craftsman with an engineer's mind, Jeff plays an integral part in project planning and implementation. With extensive knowledge in custom home building and an academic background in structural engineering, Jeff merges elaborate designs with a grounded methodology to build beautiful and sustainable structures that last. He is hands-on from start to finish, from the initial drawings to installing the finishing touches. "My passion for building lies in the details of every piece that I create and install," Jeff iterates. "I love building something that will not only look great new but also has the longevity and strength to look great for many years to come."
Jeff Rex has over 17 years in electrical service, design and installation and has amazing skills for troubleshooting and maintenance. Before joining Artistree, Jeff's work covered most of southern Arizona with customers ranging from police departments, courthouses, military bases, VAs, convention centers, and Native American reservations. Jeff has experience with large commercial and industrial facilities, plus main service solar integration. Beyond his electrical skills, Jeff provides project leadership and layout, concrete, carpentry, and plumbing. Jeff has been bringing his go-getter attitude to Artistree projects since 2019.
As a proud veteran of the United States Navy and a 30-year construction professional, Jonathon brings a unique experience and leadership style to projects. Jonathon has renovated over 10,000 hotel rooms, converted historic mills to mixed use, built several new construction multi-family communities, built commercial and work/live loft conversions as well as senior/memory care facilities. He brings a wealth of construction management to our team.
As an apprentice for Artistree since 2020, Kenny values honing his carpentry skills while immersing himself in the picturesque nature surrounding each worksite. With interests in traditional Japanese woodworking and treehouse building, Kenny enjoys overcoming challenges while working with wood and creating tranquil spaces for fellow nature lovers.
Nick Earley wants to help people get outside, get inspired, and get connected to our beautiful forests. He built his first treehouse in the redwoods in 2003 and hasn't stopped exploring, living, and creating in the canopy since. Nick brings a wealth of experience to the Artistree Team, with a diverse set of skills gained through years of biological study, outdoor education, and canopy tour design and construction. As a licensed and certified arborist, Nick is often the first one onsite assessing the trees, gathering data, and making preliminary designs. As an adept team leader capable of bringing complex, creative designs to fruition, Nick is also frequently the last one on site putting the final touches on the project.
Ryan J. Kemp is a regenerative business thought-leader and educator, purposeful culture-builder, published author and poet. Some of his past work includes consulting with the Prime Minister of Cameroon, H.E. Philémon Yang to implement rural infrastructure initiatives using non-toxic and non-degenerative materials to assist farming communities in cutting down on food spoilage, collaborating with the Minister of Energy in Myanmar working towards renewable energy independence while replanting mangrove forests on the Bay of Bengal. He is also a member of the Sustainable Change Research Network, International Alliance for Localization (IAL), Doughnut Economics Research Lab, a certified YTT-200 hour Ashtanga Yoga teacher, Ayurvedic practitioner and the creator of The Regenerative Leadership Academy.
Will Beilharz has over a decade of professional experience building in the trees and a lifetime's experience of living in them. He specializes in green architecture, aerial construction, and unique designs. He incorporates his passion for sustainability and regeneration into all aspects of his life, building enchanting structures that enrich the lives of those who use them. Will has received awards from International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and American Institute of Architecture (AIA) and his company won the Hospitality Design 2016 awards for Best in Show, Best in Sustainability, and Best in Lifestyle.