Kevin Stone (@metal_sculptor_kevin_stone)
Welcome to this week's #benchmarkspotlight (formerly the #weldershowcase) - we had the opportunity to sit down with Kevin from @metal_sculptor_kevin_stone and talk a little shop.
If you would like to be featured in our weekly spotlight (100% FREE) and have a chance at winning one of our Grinder Hoods please send us an email to leo.benchmarkabrasives@gmail.com to get you scheduled in an upcoming week. And for those of you that take the time to share your story with us, we'd be happy to provide a free BA banner. These spotlights are intended to highlight your skill, your business, and your tips and tricks. Most of all it's to have a little fun!
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Name: Kevin Stone
Business Name: Metal Sculptor Kevin Stone
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Website: Kevin Stone Metal Art
YouTube: Metal Sculptor Kevin Stone
Specialties: metal shaping, creating life in metal, stainless steel
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Tell us about yourself - what inspired you to get into your trade? And how long? Well, shortly after High school, I had friends that were employed in the Shipyard in Victoria BC Canada. They had a decent income, money to go out all the time, money to fix up cars etc..and offered me a chance to get employment working there as well. So I started in the Welding trades at Camosun College, in Victoria. where I took the 4 year journeyman welders course. I've now been in the trade for over 30 years.
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? It's always a good question, but an easy answer. "trying to achieve my goals" whether it's a daily goal, weekly goal or my original goal of trying to become a world famous artist...I always try to do baby steps...small steps that accumulate into larger achievements. |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? I'd have to say my power hammer has been my favorite tool. It allows me to texture metal, stretch metal and achieve the work faster than hand forming with a hammer and sandbag, plus it's hard on the body hammering metal all day so it saves me a lot of pain. |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? My Game of Thrones Dragon (Drogon) has been the most rewarding sculpture to complete... |
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If you could have any job as it relates to question 1 what would it be and what would you do with that? I would do exactly what I am doing now, ( large scale metal art). I just wish I had started at a younger age, as I am running out of time to create all the work I'd like to complete before my body says no more... |
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
There is no one person, but there are many different companies and organizations I'd love to work with and create for. My ultimate goal would be to create the largest sculpture in the World!
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
If you are just starting out in the trades, work in as many fields of the trade that you can. Experience is the best way to hone your skills and by working in various fields will help you decide what field you like working in the most. Once you find what it is you like, then focus on it, and you will always enjoy your work if it's something you love to do. If you are unhappy then explore the options till you find something you like...never settle. work hard and be the best you can be, set goals, and take steps to achieve them...every step, even baby steps help you get closer to your goal.
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What are your future plans for your shop?
My future plans are to continue creating large scale sculptures. Setting new goals and challenges for myself. and also to develop a metal shaping school of my own where I can pass down my knowledge and experience to the next generation of craftsmen.
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A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Kevin! Your sculptures are already massive and you're still striving for the BIGGEST? I can't wait to see what that'll be, you got this!