Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Baugh.
Hi Daniel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Austin native, Odom Elementary Golden Eagle, Covington Middle School Colt, Crockett Cougar. Left to be an SFASU Lumberjack in 2009 and came back to town with a heaping Art Degree in Art Metals and Printmaking. I hit the ground running. I was travelling building skateparks, building neon and braille signs and custom furniture. I was even a gallery preparator, exhibit fabricator, welder, and prop builder for some big shops. All the while, exhibiting my Art, painting murals, selling jewelry, and illustrating anything from show posters to children’s books. There has always been a consistent output of expression coupled with the need to serve my community as an Artist and also as a skilled tradesman. I believe Art is a Service and a Skilled Trade.
After 14 years of working in a variety of shops, gaining mentors, friends and colleagues, I had a lighting bolt idea to start my own company called “Howdy Built” and the plan was to literally hire a slew of my old bosses to help me tackle today’s Artistic Problems. After all, “I’m an a byproduct of my Mentors”. My shop resides deep in the heart of The Highland Collective. A lean, mean, Art Making commune of Videographers, Engineers, Woodworkers, Metalworkers, Mechanics, Chefs and Musicians. Connoisseurs and Collaborators of all trades. It’s truly a bustling little building right off North Airport. We band together and meet each other’s needs. We collaborate to tackle large jobs. I still continue to exhibit Art, and I’m riding a wave of good gigs, helping my community build some of the coolest things around. Anything from conservation-grade Museum Exhibits, to big bold Public Art. From Props for commercials to travelling brand activations, we are having fun doing it. Life is short, and I think we are all just trying to have a good time. Why not build a happy little shop and make friends along the way?
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the challenges I face today is the struggle to keep vocational technology alive in our community. Tools and Training have never been more accessible. You can buy cheap good tools and learn for free. That is not the issue. I think its more about what people are choosing to learn. Most of the problems I come across today is people coming face to face with not understanding the fundamentals of Material Intelligence. I admit it’s a long road to learn about materials and how we use materials today. This should be the golden age of “The Generalist”. Admittedly there is increased accessibility to tooling, there has been a sharp drop on gumptious problem solving skills. I’m not telling everyone to go out and build their own nightstand, or invest in 3D printing. But I hurt for those who would embark on that journey but don’t even know where to begin at age 36. It’s becoming more common to see the Tech desk-jockey freshly unemployed by AI innovations who desperately needs to develop a skilled trade to survive in any economy. We always go back to tools. Primitive Technology came first, as Advanced Technology rises and falls, Primitive Technology will always exist. It’s our bond to this Earth. Its the language of the hands on what Earth has given us in this short beautiful life. Next time you have the opportunity to make something with your hands, enjoy the journey. Remind yourself this is what our ancestors did and what are future children will do as well. The humbling moments, and jaw dropping discoveries in the material world are Spirit-Building and Enriching like nothing else. Dive deep and wear safety glasses!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My personal work is shown in my 18 year collection of sketchbooks that I pour into, one page at a time. It’s truly a manifestation of nearly 20 years of doodling, designing and drawing with friends. There’s always a sketchbook in my pocket. My Fine Art are large Paintings on Wood. I spend time painting Abstract Expressionist art that resembles a cross between a bacteria spore, city scape and the night sky full of stars. My color choice is purely emotionally charged. Memories of loved ones, feelings, and stories I’m reminded of by each color. I spend ages painting these and use smaller and smaller marks to refine the finished piece. Every canvas is intracity hand cut wood panels.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Find the Problems you truly enjoy solving. Find the jobs that pay people like you to solve them. Every job is essentially an owner asking you to solve a problem for them in trade for money. So if you have to earn money and you have to solve problems to get paid, at least find problems you enjoy. Burn out is real, and so is your inner child. Both of which no one will protect but you. Don’t burn out solving problems you don’t like solving, and protect your Artistic spark at all costs. It’s the first inner glow people lose. Jobs can really beat the Artist out of you. Make birthday presents from scratch. Make time to make Art with friends. The man can’t take your spark away, you give it away by not protecting it. Stay on the Artistic path at all costs. Water your plants.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.HowdyBuilt.com
- Instagram: HowdyBuilt
