We recently had the chance to connect with Wesley Brustad and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Wesley, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am very definitely walking a path and have been for many years. When I retired, I continued that path. My path is to honor God, love my family, and always be creatively engaged. I make things. In the past, I made theatrical productions and concerts. Today, I write books, make silver jewelry, and play music. The mind and heart must always stay active.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I guess my brand is God-centered. I strive to honor Him by excellence in all that I do. I abhor shoddy and make-it-quick work. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. I do not create religious art; rather I bring my worldview to my art and therein my faith. Sometimes my work goes against the grain of traditional Christian thinking. That is probably when it is at its best. To provoke is what I delight in. If i can get my audience to think–to get out of their comfort zone–my work is best served.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
My wife and I were on a trail ride (horses) with roughly 100 other people. Towards the end of the day, we had to ride a very narrow trail straight up a mountain. It was a series of switchbacks where you had to guide your horse onto a different directions at the corners. I was the second rider behind our leader; my wife was behind me. Near the top, on one side was a 1,200 foot drop straight down, the other side was the face of the mountain we were ascending. At one of the switchbacks, the leader’s horse caught his back foot on a walk and started kicking to get it loose. He was now facing me and four feet above me. My horse became extremely frightened and reacted. Without hesitation, he decided to get in front of the leader and leaped into the air, hooking his two front feet on the trail above which was six feet plus higher than where we had been standing, and pulled himself up. We now became the leader. The entire 100 riders looked on with awe, convinced that my horse and I were going to tumble into the canyon below. I know for certain (and my wife confirms it) that a miraculous lift from my guardian angel(s) saved my life. There was no other explanation. The experience made real my faith in a God who cares for me. It forever changed my worldview because I now know we share this planet with otherworld beings (both good and evil).. The good news is that if you walk with the good, evil will never hurt you.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t ever take yourself seriously and don’t ever believe your own PR. And as important, know as many people as you possibly can, both in your industry and as well as without. Who you know is more important than what you know.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Liberty and freedom are my most valued cultural value. Freedom to worship, to live where I want, to create, to love, to pursue my dreams, to hold my own political views without constraint.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
Mistaking a pursuit of excellence for arrogance. I do not suffer fools and I do not accept second-best performance in either myself or others. As such, I have often been characterized as arrogant when, in fact, I cannot tolerate mediocre performance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wesbrustad.com
Image Credits
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