We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vanny Channal a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Vanny, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I became a welder first before I became an artist. Learning how to weld or work with metal was the beginning of my journey. Because I learned the trade on my own, it was an absolute test of character. I say that because there were many times where I wanted to quit but I didn’t. Times where I didn’t know what to do but I figured it out. As I was learning and becoming a welder, I was also learning how to be determined, disciplined, and how to live my life with purpose and conviction. The human characteristics I learned early in my career as a metal worker are the qualities I deem necessary for me to be the artist I am today.

I really don’t believe there is anything that can nor do I want to speed up the process of my evolution as an artist. All the things I went through are things I had to go through, period. Same as Walt Disney filing for bankruptcy or Elon Musk failed launches, without those experiences, where would any of them be? I know that the difficulties I’ve endured must be endured. Without them, I would be a fraction of the person I am today.

The skills I find most essential are determination and resolve. Everytime I feel weak, afraid, or doubtful, my determination and my resolve is what always helps pull me through.

Other than adequate resources, the only other obstacle that can keep any one person from learning or obtaining more skills in any field is themselves. I have no excuse as to why I don’t have the knowledge I need to succeed. Time and resources are a different matter.

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

I am the founder of Steel ‘N’ Pacific LLC. Steel ‘N’ Pacific because “steel” is the avenue that I am using. And “pacific” because, the Pacific Ocean is a representation of how vast, how monumental the things I want to accomplish within my lifetime.

My medium is scrap metal and my speciality is large scale figurative animal sculptures. Animals because I feel that by doing so, I am bringing the materials I use back to life. You can say it’s a form of revival or redemption for the scrap metal that I use and for myself as a person.

At this stage, I am doing it just for the sheer sense of urgency. There’s an itch in my bones that’s telling me that this is what I should be doing. It’s telling me to produce whatever it is in my imagination and bring it to life. I am selling all of my pieces and I am also taking commissions as well. So if you have a project in mind and are fascinated by my style then send me a message.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

In the beginning it started with motivational tapes. Then books and Youtube videos came along right after that. I had that fire burning ravishly until I jumped into actual business. In business, nobody cares how creative you are, how much time you’ve spent on a project. And when money is concerned, a very small percentage of people out there care enough to spend money on art. What I’ve learned is that… Do what makes you happy. When my business was focused on the things I create, I wasn’t making the bills. When I was focused on the business, I strayed away from the things I usually create and I wasn’t happy. When I chased after money, I almost lost everything I had. Everything that was important to me. But now that I know, I am in the pursuit of happiness. The pursuit of purpose! At the same time I constantly remind myself to smile along the way.

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

I don’t believe there is anything society can do to help artists and creativity. The term “starving artist” has been relevant for thousands of years and is still accurate today. I am thankful for government grants, public art programs, public art installations and things of that nature. If not for government funded institutions and generous donors, opportunities for artists will be much more difficult. Other than that, the only thing I can think of is the demand for more public art.

Contact Info:

• Website: steelnpacific.godaddysites.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/steel_n_pacific
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/beachcitywelder
• Linkedin: steel n pacific