We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brandon Padayao. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brandon below.

Brandon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

The way in which I discovered what I do is simply a domino effect. One activity or idea lead to another and eventually brought me to the artistic output I have today. The most essential tools one could have in pursuit of creativity is the ambition to create, followed by the desire to learn. The wheel never stops and neither should we. If you want to succeed in any field, I think our main obstacle is ourself. Finding the discipline can be a challenge but is key to success.

Brandon, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Brandon and I’m a pyrography artist. I got my start in 2020 after picking up my first wood burner and practicing on recycled scraps of old skateboards. Before I ever began to burn wood I dabbled in creative wood working with used skateboards; making dream catchers and other ornate objects. As a long time skater of 20 years it was natural to incorporate that into my artwork. As I’ve mentioned, it has been a domino effect of other art mediums before pyrography. I’ve always been interested in drawing but felt like it wasn’t enough. This would push me to make more tangible sculptures with metal ( my day job is a welder) and wood, specifically skateboard components.
If you were to look at my artwork now you would see that I’ve veered slightly from using old skate decks to recycled common boards and pallet wood. And that my main focus is plant life (flowers, fungi and other fauna). This is where another domino falls. My mother is a fantastic gardener and has a phenomenal garden back home in Lincoln Kansas. She sends me pictures all the time which is where I get my floral ideas.
For the future I want my artwork to be recognized as something that took not only talent but a level of heart and respect as it relates to the natural world. Of coarse the process is artificial but the natural beauty of the wood, where it comes from, and the end result of burning brings out the uniqueness of that process.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The only goal I think any artist has is to get out all the things in their head. It can be a simple or dreamy as that. It’s a mixture of goals; saying I was here and this is what I can do, or contributing to your community in a way you feel like is best for you. All the way to just trying to make ends meat. Goals are more like milestones in that the journey really doesn’t end.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think this ties back to what the main goal or mission is. To me the most rewarding thing is that finished piece and finally being able to share it. The joy it can bring others is satisfying but what’s more is the relief of being done and having been the one to create it. Having pride in my work can be all the satisfaction I need but it’s definitely an added bonus when other people enjoy the contribution.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: burnmore_art
• Other: Burnmore Art on Etsy

Image Credits
Brian Canavan Mitch Weiland Mom