Artist's Statement

The first class I took at the John C. Campbell Folk School was wood carving. Helen showed me that when you put the eyes in the critter, it comes alive.

The campus tour of course included the Blacksmith shop. Back in Atlanta as an entrée to exploring the craft, a local photographer had done a photo shoot at Ivan Bailey’s studio and recommended I go see him. In answer to my query, Ivan said he did not use apprentices but recommended I check out the Tullie Smith House Blacksmith Guild. I got to see several smiths demonstrate techniques and there I met Clayburn Smith.

Clayburn taught me how to manage a coal fire in a bellows powered forge. He showed me how to make a leaf. He was the striker for my first door. He showed me how to see where the metal was going.

During my most recent manufacturing and engineering job I worked with a fabricator named Craig. At his job interview he said, “I want to work with metal. That’s what I want to do, just work with metal.” He was hired. I channel Craig often. He was meticulous, thought through the project first and worked steadily until it was done. He would point to his eyes and say, “I’ve got to see it in my mind before I start.”

Ivan Bailey graciously allowed me to use his studio on Saturdays. Bumbling around, looking at his work in process, picking through the scrap pile was a great education. He encouraged me in more ways than I can count.

I always visit art museums, sculpture and botanical gardens when I travel. I have photographs of mostly metal and gardens. I incorporate many natural and botanical shapes in my work and have been most drawn to Deco, Mission and Machine Age styles for architectural designs.

I encourage you to bring your vision for a table, gate, rail or just about any project that you see made from metal. I would be honored to help you turn your vision into reality.

Process Statement

My process is largely intuitive in developing the concept. The pencil to paper design is influenced by my machine design background and frequently employs 3-D solid modeling.

The setting for the piece is an important part of where my ideas come from. For something to fit into a home or a public space it should echo the surrounding features, shapes and style. I am drawn towards Deco, Mission and Machine Age but do not rigidly adhere to any one genre.

A couple of examples come to mind. A neighbor had some wood from a barn that had been built by his grandfather. He wanted to turn it into some tables. The family had a saw mill and no doubt actually cut and processed the tree.  A tobacco basket was a central piece in the living room. The concept came to mind with the wood talking to the tobacco basket material and the legs reflecting the shape.

A security door was required for some French doors. The space was relatively small which meant a sliding door would be ideal. The idea came from the rolling doors on barns and the rolling fire doors that separated rooms in old industrial buildings. And of course, straight lines are boring but deco nature patterns are quite pleasing. The room lighting was such that wonderful shadows enhance the door when it has been rolled open.