About:

As a fine metal artist, I am driven by a passion for creating unique and true one-of-a-kind pieces. I delve into the fabric of everyday life, infusing it with humor and storytelling while I employ anthropomorphism creating whimsical and relatable characters that resonate with viewers. My journey as an artist began as a jeweler, but over time I became captivated by the versatility of metal and the limitless potential it holds for creative expression.

I strive to create pieces that are both visually striking and emotionally resonant. I love to incorporate animals as the main characters in my pieces because I believe they have a special connection to our hearts and minds, and I try to capture that essence in my work. My goal is to create pieces that are whimsical and playful, but also convey a sense of depth and meaning.

As an artist, I am constantly learning and evolving, and I am excited to see where my journey with metal will take me next. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my original pieces with the world and hope that they bring as much joy to others as they do to me.

How it’s made:

I am skilled in both carving wax models for and traditional metalsmithing. These skills I use to create both tabletop and wall pieces while bringing together a variety of metals (sterling silver, steel, brass, red and white brass, nickel, and copper) that add color and contrast to each unique piece.

Lost Wax Casting:

To create pieces (majority of my animals), I hand carve a wax model, which is then cast into metal using the lost wax method. This approach allows me to achieve intricate and detailed forms with a range of surface finishes. I rely on a variety of hand tools, including a hand saw, a foredom rotary tools (similar to a dremel but with a more refined handpiece and variable speed pedal) complemented by an array of bits for use with the foredom and a wax pen with variable temperature setting for precision melting and manipulation of the wax.

Fabrication:

I also employ traditional fabrication techniques, working with metal in its raw form. This involves the manipulation of metal sheet, wire, and tubing to shape most of the pieces seen in my work, such as trees, furniture, and other elements beyond the realm of animal sculptures. It’s this meticulous process that consumes majority of my time at the bench but also enables the incorporation of natural color variation within each work without the use of paint or patina. I rely on a variety of hand tools, including a hand saw, pliers, cutters, files, a foredom, hammers and a torch.

Final Step:

To create a hybrid of metalworking techniques, I use a torch to solder together items from each technique. I carefully apply black patina accent to add depth and character leaving the natural color of the metal.

The guiding principle I stand by in my work is the process of crafting each piece entirely by hand, devoid of findings, found objects, rubber mold replicas or 3D printed components. My creations stand as a testament to exclusive hand craftsmanship, ensuring that every artwork emerges as a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

Awards:

2024 - Best in Show in Metalwork @ Kimball Arts Festival
2024 - Jurors Award @ Art in the Square
2024 - Jurors Award @ Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival
2023 - 2nd Place in Show @ Cherry Creek Arts Festival
2023 - Merit Award @ Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival
2020 - Mayor’s & Peoples’ Choice Award @ Eugene Mayor’s Art Show
2018 - 1st Place in 3 Dimensional @ Redland Festival of Arts
2018 - 1st Place in Mixed Media @ Hillcrest Festival of Fine Art
2017 - 1st Place in Jewelry @ La Jolla Art & Wine Festival