Daily Inspiration: Meet Brent Bond

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brent Bond.

Hi Brent, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I landed in the Valley in ’94 as a grad student on full ride scholarship at ASU. After receiving an MFA in Printmaking I taught Junior, Senior and Graduate level courses at ASU for 4 1/2 years. That was followed by an 8 1/2 year stint as the Studio Manager and Master Printer for Segura Publishing Company. In that capacity, I had the opportunity to collaborate with some incredible artists such as James Turrell, Elizabeth Catlett, Vic Muniz, and Graciela Iturbide.

During all this time, I continued to create my own work and exhibit in galleries and museums and completed several public art commissions locally.

In 2009, I founded my own Fine Art publishing company, Santo Press, and established my studio at the historic Cattle Track Arts Compound. Using printmaking as a creative tool as opposed to a reproductive one, artists are invited into the studio to create something new and is then released as original multiples. Specializing in relief printing such as linocuts and woocuts with occasional forays into monoprinting I have collaborated with 47 different artists to create 263 editions. Economic factors in 2009 required me to expand my sources of income and I found myself falling back on my design, carpentry and problem solving skills and began taking custom furniture commissions.

In 2015, I was one of 3 artists on a design team for a new local resort and have since been kept quite busy with graphic and interior design and custom fabrication. Teaching and fatherhood have instilled patience in me and the 2 bone marrow transplants one of my sons went through recalibrated my priorities so I have a firm understanding of what is really important in life. Having a loving and understanding wife is possibly the best thing for a workaholic who loves his work. Another important outlet and source of joy for me is music as I play harmonica and percussion for a local band.

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?
Having started with little I have learned to be happy with little, a great skill for any working artist. I’m reluctant to point out any obstacles as I am a straight white male and as such know little of real obstacles. Challenges are another story as my younger son spent many weeks and long hours in the hospital from age 1 – 4 receiving 2 bone marrow transplants. I’m happy to say he is now 10 and very healthy. Adversity led to advocacy with my wife returning to school for a Master’s degree which she quickly put to use working as an Oncology Counselor at a local hospital.

My son took it upon himself to donate to Phoenix Children’s Hospital all his toys received at his first normal birthday party post-transplant with friends. He has since taken book donations to create a library in the infusing ward at PCH and raises funds for them annual, first through sales of his “Amazicles” (gourmet homemade popsicles) and now his “Chunk of Love” homemade granola.

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 broad range of creative endeavors sets me apart from most. While I continue to create and exhibit my own artwork I wear many other hats. As a Master Printer, I work as a publisher of limited edition Fine Art prints in addition to doing contract work as a printer for hire. As a designer and craftsman, I create unique heirloom quality furniture. And as a graphic and interior designer I design and oversee custom fabrication of things from small objects to large spaces.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’m well aware that often you learn more from failure than success. I stress to my students to not be afraid to fail and that no one ever learned to swim from standing by the side of the pool.

Pricing:

• Bids for custom furniture are based on materials plus labor at $50/hr
• Print prices at Santo Press range from $25 to $2000

Contact Info:

• Email: brent@santopress.com
• Website: www.santopress.com
• Instagram: bond_brentbond
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brent.bond.982

Image Credits
Carl Schultz
Brent Bond