"You've got to have the fire." These words from metal artist Eric Breish capture the essence of the creative journey—that inexplicable burning passion that pulls you back to your craft even after declaring "I'm done" just a day before.

Eric's path to becoming a full-time artist winds through unexpected territory. From Marine Corps service to IT work to audio engineering, he eventually discovered his artistic voice through metal—creating three-dimensional works that challenge perception and evoke physical responses in viewers. What makes his art truly special is impossible to capture digitally; the way light reflects or absorbs from precisely scored metal surfaces creates a dimensional experience that photography, with its "one eye," can’t reproduce.

The conversation explores the spiritual side of creativity, with Eric describing himself as a vessel through which art flows. "I almost wasn't present for it," he explains about his best creative moments, when he steps "outside of myself and lets everything flow through." This state represents the delicate balance between technical control and surrender that defines true artistic flow.

Perhaps most moving is Eric's reflection on how heartbreak and personal struggles have shaped his most powerful work. After experiencing profound loss, he allowed himself to "go to the very bottom of the ocean and sit on the floor... and really feel everything," transforming that pain into a meaningful exhibition. His wisdom resonates beyond art: "Don't run from the emotions that you really don't want to look at and you don't want to feel, because that can be really the greatest reward you'll ever have."

For anyone on the creative path, Eric's journey offers both inspiration and practical insight. From writing a life-changing letter to his mentor to finally quitting his day job in 2015, he shows how courage and authenticity fuel artistic growth. Whether you're just beginning or facing a moment of doubt, this conversation reminds us why we keep coming back to create again and again.

Eric's Profile
Eric on Instagram

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