Damon Couper (@redbeard_creations)
Welcome to this week's #weldershowcase - we had the opportunity to sit down with Damon from @redbeard_creations and talk a little shop.
If you would like to be featured in our weekly showcase (100% FREE) please send us an email to leo.benchmarkabrasives@gmail.com to get you scheduled in an upcoming week. These showcases are intended to highlight your skill, your business, and your tips and tricks. Most of all it's to have a little fun!
Enjoy and Grind On!
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Name: Damon Couper Business Name: Redbeard Creations Location: Wellington, New Zealand Socials: IG: @redbeard_creations FB: RedbeardCreationz Specialties: I’ll give anything a go, I do love the challenge of something I’ve never built, but I guess my specialty is my colourful Roses. Created from damaged automotive body panels and barbed wire. car manufacturers produce amazing colours, so I don’t want them to go to waste! |
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Name: Damon Couper Business Name: Redbeard Creations Location: Wellington, New Zealand Socials: IG: @redbeard_creations FB: RedbeardCreationz Specialties: I’ll give anything a go, I do love the challenge of something I’ve never built, but I guess my specialty is my colourful Roses. Created from damaged automotive body panels and barbed wire. car manufacturers produce amazing colours, so I don’t want them to go to waste! |
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What keeps you motivated throughout the day? My motivation is my passion to create and just see what I can achieve, sometimes I surprise myself, actually most of the time!! |
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What is your favorite shop tool and why? My favorite tool is my newly purchased TIG welder, an Xcel Arc Viper 200p (New Zealand owned and operated company, amazing service and support!) I saved and worked hard to get it and it will allow me to build more detailed pieces with various metals. |
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What's your favorite piece that you've worked on? So far my dragon is my favourite piece, this one challenged me!! I love the texture of the wings, this was a piece of sheet metal I found on the road, it had been run over many times which gave it a leathery feel. |
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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? Easy answer is a full time metal artist, it would be amazing to earn a living from my art. |
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What BA product is your favorite and why?
I haven’t used any BA products, not available in New Zealand. All the metal art guys in the US rave about them though. |
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If there was one person you could collaborate with - who would it be and why?
Actually there are so many, there are amazingly talented artists that I respect and admire, very hard to single out one, I would love to collaborate with every single one! I’ve had an invitation from another kiwi metal artist, Nathan Hull to come up to hang out and make cool stuff. So he’s first on the list!
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Do you have any advice for the next generation that you wish you had when you first started?
Don’t wait for “I’ll do it some day." Don’t be afraid to just go for it and follow your heart, with art there is no right or wrong way. |
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What are your future plans for your shop?
Working towards growing as an artist, I’ve come so far already. I’m looking to get my art into galleries to get more exposure and more clients.
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Thanks for sitting with us and sharing your story with the community - is there anything you'd like to add?
I’d like to thank my followers and friends I’ve made world wide through the metal art community on Instagram. Your encouragement and support has been amazing, I appreciate and value all of you! |
A Note From Leo
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Damon! It's inspiring to read about folks who just jump right into the thick of things instead of waiting for it to happen. That's the best way to live life - carpe diem!