Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chris Hale. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

From a young age, I possessed a natural inclination for crafting things from scratch and selling them to my friends. It didn’t take long for me to recognize that in order to maintain their support, I had to provide them with products that genuinely excited them. Although I wasn’t aware of it at the time, this marked the outset of my entrepreneurial journey as an artist.

During a substantial portion of my early adulthood, I pursued a career in a technical engineering-based sector. It was an industry characterized by data, calculations, and stringent procedures, where creativity often seemed to wither away. While I did experience some degree of success in this field, I couldn’t ignore the growing desire to create and the lack of creative fulfillment in my life.

Eight years ago, I took a leap of faith, relinquishing my role in a thriving business and leaving behind my engineering career. I embarked on a new professional path, venturing into the world of being an artisan-based welding and fabrication job shop. The sole guiding principle I set for myself was to focus exclusively on projects that were imaginative, distinctive, and challenging. It’s been through creativity, often driven by ingenious solutions, that my shop has achieved its remarkable success.

My journey as a professional artist is still evolving, and the path ahead is taking shape…

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a Florida native, born and raised in the Sunshine State, where I pursued formal education in both business and engineering. From a young age, entrepreneurship was a constant presence in my life. My true passion has always been to create and make things, which eventually prompted me to make a career transition later in life to follow that dream.

In my family, the entrepreneurial spirit runs deep. My mother and father were both entrepreneurs in their own right. My father owns a mechanical-based business, while my mother delved into various art-based ventures, including ceramics, painting, and more. Having such contrasting yet creative influences in my upbringing has shaped me into the artist I am today.

While I consider myself primarily a metalsmith, my work often involves other materials and mediums. Among my favorite materials to work with are discarded or salvaged parts that have already served one purpose in their lifetime. Repurposing these items into inanimate visual objects is enjoyable, but the true satisfaction lies in transforming these discarded elements into visually appealing and functional pieces once more.

At present, I am the proud owner of a distinctive metal fabrication shop, Colonial Metalworks. We offer an expansive array of metalworking services, including machining, welding, and blacksmithing. Our team is composed of talented artisans and fabricators who continually propel our company to the forefront of the industry. Within the walls of our shop, the daily mantra is to “create cool stuff,” and our ever-expanding catalog reflects this mission. Whether it’s crafting small wall-art pieces or orchestrating full restaurant designs, we have a knack for bringing ideas to life.

My journey as an artist and entrepreneur is an ongoing adventure, and I look forward to what the future holds as I continue to blend my passion for creativity with my dedication to business excellence.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

In today’s artistic landscape, the role of social media is undeniable. For emerging artists, it has become an indispensable platform for reaching audiences far and wide. In fact, it often demands just as much time and effort as the creative process itself. Where else can a budding artist showcase their work to thousands, if not millions of potential admirers?

When I embarked on the journey of building my social media presence several years ago, little did I know that I was crafting a dynamic face and storefront for my brand. I ventured into it somewhat haphazardly, primarily to socialize and connect with others, without fully grasping its significance for revenue generation. Gradually, I began to witness the impact of my posts. An influx of new customers from various platforms and the ever-increasing importance of social marketing became evident.

Over time, I’ve achieved substantial success on social media, with numerous creations going viral and garnering millions of views. Amid the various lessons learned, one stands above all: no matter how well-versed you are in algorithms, follower demographics, or other intricacies, creating visually captivating content is paramount for an artist’s success. While this may seem like a straightforward concept, it can be quite challenging for someone like me, a metalsmith, not a photographer or videographer. As a result, some of my most extraordinary creations will forever remain unseen on social media, as I struggled to capture their essence and digitally present them in a way that truly reflects their beauty and functionality.

Our followers, across all platforms, are genuine and engaged. We’ve always adhered to an organic growth approach, avoiding any temptation to buy followers or resort to similar tactics. Our primary focus has consistently been on the mantra that “I just need one person to purchase our latest creation, whether a thousand people liked it or not.” We’ve cultivated our following by consistently delivering exceptional content and staying true to our core focus, which revolves solely around our work.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I understand that my perspective might not align with everyone’s views, but I genuinely believe that society doesn’t need to implement specific measures to support artists or creatives differently than it already does. Art has been an intrinsic part of our existence for as long as we have recorded history. It transcends geographical boundaries, social classes, and any form of exclusion. Even in the face of the most oppressive regimes, art endures. It serves as our most resilient and cherished repository of history.

As humans, we have an innate drive to keep the arts alive, irrespective of societal support. While it would be a dream for our work to be universally embraced and displayed for the world, along with substantial financial recognition, our social structure may not be equipped to fulfill this desire entirely.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.colonialmetalworks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colonial_metalworks/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/colonialmetalworks
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/colonial-metalworks/
• Twitter: https://tiktok.com/@colonialmetalworks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ColonialMetalworks
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/colonial-metalworks-fort-pierce
• Other: Etsy Store: https://colonialmetalworks.etsy.com/