S1:E6 - Warhammer, D&D & St. Celestine, oh my! - Beard and Brush - Mike O'Brien

S1:E6 - Warhammer, D&D & St. Celestine, oh my! - Beard and Brush - Mike O'Brien

Author: J.Audra.Lane August 20, 2021 Duration: 41:40

On this episode of Rock the Boat OKC, we get to talk to Mike O’Brien, owner and artisan of Beard and Brush. What are Beard and Brush? I’m glad you asked! This may come as a surprise, but beard refers to Mike’s bushy beard and brush is all about his hand-painted game pieces for tabletop games such as Warhammer.

Did you know people put down good money for these well-crafted game pieces? Neither did I, but they do and it’s a lot more common than you might realize. Let’s listen in and learn more about this very niche business.

Podcast episode summary

  • If you want to get your hands on some models in OKC, where do you go?
  • How did he get into such a niche business?
  • Mike’s efforts to increase income so he can go full time.
  • How do you hone your skills?
  • His most difficult piece? St. Celestine the Living Saint
  • No need for magnifying glasses when you have super terrible eyesight!
  • That first commission!
  • How much does it cost to get a hand-painted piece?
  • Best practices for Facebook livestreams
  • Mike’s favorite part of the process...and his least favorite part.
  • A professional’s advice for beginning model painters
  • How do you start getting customers?
  • How do newbies get started doing tabletop games?

Recommended resources

Warhammer - turn-based empire-building with colossal, real-time battles. All set in a world of legendary heroes, giant monsters, flying creatures and storms of magical power.
Dungeons & Dragons - create mighty heroes to battle monsters, solve puzzles, and reap rewards. As you play, your story can grow to rival the greatest of legends.
Edmond Unplugged
GameHQ
Saint Celestine the Living Saint
Wet pallette - Amazon link
Critical Role - Welcome to Critical Role! This is the live home for a bunch of nerdy-ass voice actors and all of their debauchery.

Contact Info
Email:  beardandbrush2017@gmail.com
Facebook:  Beard and Brush
Instagram: beardandbrush


There's a particular kind of person who builds something from nothing right here in the heartland. Rock the Boat Oklahoma is a series of conversations with those very people, hosted by J.Audra.Lane. This isn't about polished corporate success stories, though success is certainly part of the journey. Instead, each episode pulls up a chair with an Oklahoma entrepreneur to understand the real person behind the business-what keeps them up at night, what made them leap into the unknown, and why they chose this often difficult path. You'll hear from the brave, the unconventional, and the quietly determined individuals who aren't afraid to be called a little weird for pursuing their vision. Through these candid interviews, the podcast reveals the drive, the resilience, and the occasional dose of healthy stubbornness it takes to thrive. It’s about the human spirit of enterprise, found in local shops, startups, and family-run operations across the state. Tuning in, you get more than just business tips; you find a source of genuine inspiration, a reminder that building something meaningful often requires rocking the boat just enough to make waves.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 23

Rock the Boat Oklahoma
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