by Nick Drew | Tue 23 May 2023
From Truck Driver to Master Craftsman: The journey of an everyday artist
From a very early age, I've been enamoured by construction machinery. My first encounter was with a JCB 3CII - a simple two-wheel drive that I managed to master before even considering a four-wheel drive. Those early experiences planted a seed of fascination that continues to grow.
When the pandemic hit, I was furloughed from my truck driving job for six weeks. Instead of idling, I decided to seize the opportunity and built a workshop where I began teaching myself to draw and operate a Plasma CNC machine. I ended up importing my Star Labs CNC Plasma cutting machine all the way from Minnesota.
The process begins with high-resolution images sent by customers. Ideally, these images should be in good light with no shadows - they obscure the details, making it hard for me to recreate them. Once I receive the image, I use Inkscape to draw each line painstakingly. This is a meticulous process, and absolutely nothing is auto-generated by a computer. After the artwork is complete, I send a picture of it to the customer for approval. Once they are satisfied, I use Sheetcam software to prepare it for the plasma table.
I love working with plant machinery images because of their robustness and strength. Their silent yet awe-inspiring presence is something I strive to capture in my art. But I don't limit myself to machinery alone. With my skills, I can practically draw anything.
My typical day starts at 04:20 when I run my two Alaskan Malamutes. From 06:00 until 16:30, I'm back in my truck. From 18:30 until 23:00, I draw. Weekends are mostly reserved for CNC plasma work, although I also fit in fabrication and welding repairs as needed. Working seven days a week might seem excessive to some, but for me, it's a labour of love.
There are, of course, challenges. Customers sometimes provide low-resolution images that are out of focus. In such cases, I suggest using a similar, high-resolution image from the internet - a suggestion that has always been accepted and appreciated so far. The goal is always to provide a true-to-life representation of what the customer wanted.
When it comes to favourites, it's hard to choose. I treat each artwork as a unique piece and constantly strive to outdo myself. I must confess that I have not yet collaborated with anyone, but the future is wide open.
Sometimes, I experiment by creating artwork based on the latest plant machinery and gauge the response on social media. It's my way of "testing the waters" before jumping in.
So far, I haven't exhibited any of my artworks in shows or galleries. Social media has been a bit slow in terms of people approaching me. However, my artworks have garnered more attention when physically presented. At last year's Hillhead event, people were amazed at the level of detail captured on aluminium sheets.
As for advice, I firmly believe that anyone can pursue a dream. The only question is: how badly do you want it?
In terms of future plans, I would love to work with anyone interested in my artwork. I can add a personal touch to my pieces, adding customer names and company logos, making them even more unique. Ideally, I see myself devoting more time to my artwork and collaborating with big blue-chip companies, while never losing touch with individual machine owners.
Artwork is not just about creating something beautiful. It's about capturing a story, a memory, and encapsulating it in a piece that lasts forever. My journey may have started with a two-wheel drive JCB, but it's evolved into something much more.
If you would like to find out more about Simon's work or to make an order, get in touch with him via his Instagram account which you can find here.. The Artful Badger