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

Daniel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

When we first started, we did not have a business plan, however, we knew we wanted a stable and sustainable business model with multiple streams of revenue. Each day we learned, and as we worked and accepted commissions, designed new product, etc., we were able to see what was successful and what was not, and adjust accordingly. We now have a plan, our family has an annual meeting where we look at our retail and wholesale clients, custom commission clients and public art opportunities and tweak as needed while also brainstorming improvements. I feel it has paid off after 12 years and continue to look forward to more growth, especially with Public Art. Easy, no, worth it, yes. Yes, there have been struggles, but there has been no price too high for the privilege of being the creator of my own world. Income was the largest struggle, the ebbs and flows while you are building up your brand and what it offers to the client. As of 2016, we are both engaged full-time with the Oxide Studio, as my wife was able to quit her day job.

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?

Shortly after earning my Bachelor Of Fine Arts in both Graphic Design and Photography from the University of Iowa, I moved to Phoenix, AZ., where I worked full time as a graphic designer for a variety of corporate entities. Inspired by the works of Ansel Adams, in addition to my day job, I pursued my love of photography by photographing the natural world while hiking, backpacking and mountain biking throughout Arizona. Over the years, I have had exhibitions of my photographs in many local galleries. At my last position, my skill set expanded to 3-Dimensional pieces, which is where I taught himself to weld and found a new respect for and appreciation for steel.

I started with a gift for my wife and then expanded through my appreciation for the Sonoran Desert by designing botanically themed metal panels. My photographic background influenced the choice to “frame” each design within the confines of a rectangle, producing a contemporary, somewhat formal presentation that contrasts well with the colors and organic forms in its environment.

The panels led to custom commissions, practical art; gates, fences, furniture, sculptural pieces, etc. Working with both residential and commercial clients to enhance their built environment while also serving a purpose, Whether security, keeping critters at bay, visually obscuring the ugly, such as utility boxes and air conditioners, or to have a piece to admire while enjoying their outdoor environment.

My work comes from a deep and broad connection to nature, its beauty and power, and I strive to create artwork that suggests a narrative for the viewer to complete. I believe a collaborative process is the most effective approach for creating, for me, creating art is both a process and a philosophy. It is centered around observing, listening to, and asking questions of the people who live, work, and play in a particular space in order to understand their needs and aspirations for that space. As a skilled craftsperson with an ingrained sense of artistry, I observe a self-prescribed mandate to create excellent, extraordinary work. I always look forward to relating the many elements into a complementary presentation that stands the test of time, tangibly and artistically.

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

There are multiple levels of reward from a client purchasing one of my botanical panels, liking it so much they buy another. Over the years, at Art Shows, I have had clients come back each year to add to their collection.

When I collaborate on a custom project and we brainstorm, taking into account the client’s style, personality and their environment and upon installation, their satisfaction and delight in their new gate, sculpture, furniture piece, etc.

The consummate is being awarded a Public Art project. As art is so very selective, the chances are so slim, but to be one of three or four finalists from 200 submissions is in itself rewarding. To then ‘win’ and work with the local community, public art project managers and other professionals is the ultimate honor. To then see my piece in its new home, knowing it will be there for years to come has a surreal component, but also a point of pride for me as an artist.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Prior to founding the Oxide Studio in 2010, I had worked at a variety of corporate entities as a Graphic Designer, but the crash of 2008 caused me to be downsized. Picking up a variety of skills in metalworking and welding from my last position, unemployed, I started making metal sculptures, the first one for my wife on Mother’s Day. While I was experimenting with metal and botanical designs, I was also interviewing for opportunities as a Graphic Designer. One Friday, I was offered part-time employment, which would shortly become full-time. I asked to give my answer the following Monday to discuss with my wife.

We believed I had something that was marketable which, in turn, handed me an opportunity to redesign my future and I decided it was now or never and took the plunge into my art studio.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theoxidestudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoxidestudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oxidestudio
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SjdfU-UUa0
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/theoxidestudio?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Image Credits
Photos by Daniel Moore