We had the good fortune of connecting with Damon Stevens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Damon, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
This would definitely have to be adaptability…be a problem solver, not a problem maker.

Learn to live in the solution space. Don’t fixate on the issues that arise during creative tasks as there is usually a way around it. Every creative industry comes with failures, it is from these complications that we learn how to move forward with better solutions in the future. Reframing your brain to have a backup method of production can help you understand new ways of doing and making things.

Being a professional artist isn’t supposed to be clean and perfect. We of all people are messy and chaotic beings so make a mess and clean it up, destroy something only to understand how it failed, embrace the issues you come across and you will learn how to approach each new project with a level of energy that you never knew you had before. Take chances and follow your instincts, they are probably right and can lead you to some amazing work if you let them.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a designer, maker, builder, and I enjoy making things out of skateboards. I grew up skateboarding with my friends and it was my way of connecting to like-minded individuals in my local community. Skateboarding taught me how to fall, get back up, and try again. To this day, skateboarding has given me the opportunity to explore new ways of making as well as test my skillset by learning new tools along the way.

I am very excited to be apart of a group of people who see the value in recycling or repurposing items that will most likely just end up in the landfill. Used or reclaimed materials does not mean lesser quality, which is something I am trying to share with the world through my work with skateboards. I am stoked to be able to show people that something as simple as a skateboard can be transformed into a loud and beautiful piece of art. My jewelry or other products are usually bold and noteworthy statement pieces that can be worn or used with any outfit or style, you just have to have the confidence to do so.

Nothing about being an artist has been easy. It has been nothing but hard work and a labor of love so being a professional artist requires a lot of passion and patience. Most of my current skillset has been taught to me through mentors or the support of friends and fellow makers who have the proper tools and knowledge to share with me as professionals. Collaborations and trading time or other skills can go a long way. Take advantage of the resources given to you as a young artist as these don’t always last, you will be surprised what you can get if you simply just ask.

If you want to be an artist I would learn to trust the process. Everything is a process in the art world, even learning a new skill. Be patient and enjoy the process of learning or the process of production. Embrace change and understand that art shouldn’t be quick or perfect…if it were, we most likely wouldn’t continue with it. Raising the bar and having a high standard to strive to is quite different than perfection.

My designs revolve around a combination of modern tools and manufacturing techniques as well as traditional methods of production. My goal is to combine, up-cycled, and recycled skateboards with metals and plastics to show how we can create beautiful products with common everyday materials. Through the combination of these materials, I believe I can show others in my community how to view simple materials with an ever-expanding perspective.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Much like my start to living in Denver I would suggest various spots that are around the Highlands, downtown Denver near RiNo, or Broadway for both food/drink, art, and a sense of community. These both work for a simple night out or areas of reoccurring activities. Some places to mention might be Our Mutual Friend, a local brewery found in RiNo or Root Down up in the Highlands, or Somebody People on South Broadway.

Music shows, market pop-ups, and other art events would be on the list regardless of who visited me. I would definitely want to share what art I have experience in the city while living here for four years. A lot of which can be found downtown at the art museums or in the lovely Santa Fe Art District through local galleries and small shops.

After about half a week of over saturation to artwork we would probably get out of the city to look at some trees and rocks. While Denver itself has been great to me, city life is still not my favorite so immersing my friends in nature would be the next step of the process. Hiking, camping, and exploring countless spots around this lovely state in both cold and hot weather has been a way to step away and reset my restless mind as a creative individual. We would probably head towards Fruita or the Great National Sand Dunes to get some warmth and make the trip well worth the journey…I guess it would be a pretty busy week.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe a massive shout out to my creative family at MATTER Ltd.

MATTER is a creative design consultancy and typography studio with a rich community of individuals who are interested in activism, how things are made, and overall communication. MATTER houses a small bookstore/retail shop, a makers space/wood shop, and a print shop with letterpress machines used for metal and wood-type print production. I am their industrial designer on staff and it is in this studio space where I am allowed to focus on my personal work with recycled skateboards and grow as an artist. Owners, Rick Griffith and Debra Johnson, are passionate designers who share the love for giving things value by changing our perspective or engagement with any given object or experience. If it were not for their trust and willingness to share creative knowledge and spaces I would not be where I am today.

Additionally, the love and support of my friends, family, and other fellow makers/content creators has been huge. Having people you know personally who want to see your creative vision come to life and help you get there is an amazing feeling. so thank you…you know who you are.

Website: www.manualware.co

Instagram: Personal Instagram: @Dmansteve & Business Instagram: @ManualWare

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-stevens-17704991/

Other: Personal website: www.damonstevens.work

Image Credits
Rio Chantel Photography

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