BRIAN HEILIG

from Vaper Paper powered by Vapouround Issue 2

EUROPEAN MANAGING DIRECTOR TAKES

Here we highlight some of the stars of Instagram who are using the social media platform to create original art with a vaping theme.

Interview by: Hannah Rhodes

Name: Brian Heilig

Location: Napa, California

Instagram page: @mind_dream

How long have you been vaping for and how did you start?

I made the switch to vaping back in October of 2015, so I’ll be coming up on 8 years soon.

I used to smoke a pack a day for 12 years and it was something that needed to change as I was growing concerned with my health.

However, I wasn’t ready to part ways with nicotine and I knew vaping would be a better, healthier alternative.

I had previously tried to make the switch, but at the time I wasn’t able to fully commit. I’m so grateful I ﬁnally did… Vaping has changed my life for the better.

How did your coil building journey begin and what is your current process?

When I ﬁrst started vaping, I was using MTL and SubOhm coil heads.

At the time, money was tight so I began doing research and found I could make my own coils from spools of wire.

Compared to buying pre-made coils, making my own would be a massive cost saver and so it was a no brainer to give it a go.

During this period, I also found a mystery RDA sale online and so was able to pick up my ﬁrst RDA.

I had no intention of doing coil art when I ﬁrst started. Coil Wars were happening all over Youtube and I was in shock at what people were doing with wire.

After learning more of the craft through videos online, I decided I would give it a shot and made my ﬁrst Clapton.

I was instantly hooked and became very determined to learn more about the craft as well as the community and industry.

Have you faced any challenges during your time creating coil art?

Of course! I’ve had a countless amount of fails, with a lot of wire going straight into the bin.

These challenges weren’t for nothing as even though it can be frustrating at times, it was also a driving force to keep me going and not give up.

Building coil art for me is all about overcoming obstacles and the ‘Build Gods’ are not always on my side.

I have an overactive brain, so the critical thinking aspect of building is really satisfying – it gets the gears turning and allows me to dive deep into problem solving.

Is there anything in particular that motivates or inspires your work?

Coil building is very community driven and I love seeing and learning from all the builders that came before me. We all build off and grow from one another.

It’s such a great community to be a part of and so many people have helped me during my journey, and I’ve tried to do my part too.

It’s essentially one generation giving to the next… I guess what I am trying to say is the build community as a whole motivates and inspires me.

Do you only build coils for yourself as a hobby or for others too?

Currently, I mainly build coils for myself as a hobby. I consider the craft to be a form of meditation where I can step away from the stresses of life.

Over the years I have built coils for others from time to time, but I didn’t want to make a habit of it.

I think money complicates things and I didn’t want my art to become about the ﬁnancial gain. For me personally, it’s best to keep hobbies and work separate.

Are you currently working on anything new at the moment?

I don’t have much on at the moment, at least not physically. However, I do have multiple build ideas that I plan to work on soon.

Over the years it has become harder and harder to ﬁnd extra time to sit down and build, but that doesn’t take away from it at all.

If anything, it makes it more special when I do get those moments to work on coil art.