John Steele Davis grew up in the Ellard community, attended Bruce High School and Northwest Community College.
He went on to become a hard working blue collar worker, leading a simple lifestyle. Eventually those hands of skill became more useful at helping him earn a living at what he really enjoys– creating unique pieces of art.
Davis taught himself to create his artwork with the help of a few good books, and inspiration from friends and other artists. He refers to his work as being functional art for it can be used as furniture, to tell time, play songs and even provide exercise.
He has created a wide assortment of unique furniture pieces, a grandfather clock, banjos, violins, guitars, bicycles and even a small boat.
If the reader gets a chance to view a piece of Davis’s work, he will see that his work has intricate detail and yet is very practical for everyday use. The materials he uses can be found in most Mississippi backyards. They include honeysuckle vine, wild cherry tree branches, privet hedge, sweet gum, red oak, elm, yellow pine, spruce, and other forms of nature that Davis has found while walking in the woods.
Some of his art work has needed a few recycled parts to help him complete the final touches. His art studio is located in an older home in Water Valley that he has remodeled with a custom designed stair rail and many other unique features.
Davis’s most recent art endeavor has been concrete sculpting. This has been a new challenge in Davis’s art work and he says “if an artist isn’t challenging himself with his work, then what is the point.”
He recently completed a centaur for the Water Valley Sculpture Garden.
Over the years he has been invited to display his work at the University Museum on the Ole Miss Campus, Union County Heritage Museum in New Albany, Southside Gallery in Oxford, Taylor Arts in Taylor, and the Chimneyville Crafts Festival in Jackson.