We were lucky to catch up with Daniel Rocha recently and have shared our conversation below.

Daniel , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The Hand That Feeds

The Hand That Feeds is one of the most meaningful projects I have ever created. The inspiration behind this piece comes directly from my life and the industry I work in. We’ve all heard the saying, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds.” As someone who genuinely cares for others, I’ve always been willing to lend a helping hand without expecting anything in return—whether it’s offering support, sharing my welding knowledge to help someone improve their craft, or simply listening when someone needs to talk.

However, there have been times when those same people turned their backs on me after I had given my time, effort, and care. Rather than hold on to that hurt, I channeled those emotions into my art—and that’s how The Hand That Feeds was born.

This sculpture depicts an arm symbolizing strength, and endurance. The arm is constructed from bolts and screws, representing resilience and the foundation of hard work. The cupcake signifies kindness, a reflection of my character. The figure, “Mr. Chef,” is crafted from bolts and ball bearings, and finished with a copper apron and toque. His hand gesture—“wahla”—represents my philosophy: no matter how others may treat me, I will continue to show kindness to those who appreciate it and keep moving forward.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an artist based in Houston, Texas, specializing in creating sculptures from scrap metal. I work with a wide range of salvaged materials—from automotive parts to discarded tools and utensils—to bring my artistic visions to life. My sculptures often depict subjects such as musicians, ballerinas, airplanes, rat rods, and what else comes to mind blending my passion for welding with my love of art.

My goal is to craft unique pieces that resonate with people while giving new purpose to materials that might otherwise end up in landfills. Before pursuing art, I spent 17 years in the oil and gas industry as a welder, an experience that continues to influence my work today. Although I no longer weld professionally, I still find great satisfaction in the process—the flow of molten metal coming together in perfect harmony into a weld bead. What set my work apart from others is the intricate work that I put into each piece as well as applying different exotics alloys to give it, its unique characteristics. What I am proud of is having my artwork in three major cities and one that I live in. I want my potential clients,fans, and followers to know that each sculpture is created with dedication and one of a kind masterpiece.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is bringing a smile to someone’s face as they observe with curiosity—whether a child or an adult. I also find great fulfillment in engaging with people and hearing their thoughts and interpretations of my work.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’ve built my social media audience by connecting with people at various art events, including art markets and gallery exhibitions. I also distribute business cards and share my work across multiple art platforms. Going live while working on a project and posting regular updates has helped me engage with my audience more authentically.

My advice for maintaining a strong social media presence is to stay true to your unique style and not focus on likes or numbers. Create for the joy of expression and to nourish your mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.daniel-rocha-art.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielrochametalart/