For over 40 years, working metal into imagined shapes has been my fascination. All the sounds, the sparks, the flames, and the smells of metalworking are my spark to get started. Watching the molten puddle while I form a new weld is a hypnotic experience. A flame or arc around five or ten thousand degrees can't help but grab your attention. Working with stainless steel, mild steel, and aluminum has given me an appreciation for their characteristics - some similar and some totally unique.
Some of the shapes I create now are inspired by various things I dreamed up when I was a youngster. I spent endless hours doodling with pencils and pens. I made shapes in dirt in my back yard, or in sand at the beach. Sometimes I would even carve shapes in watermelon, or in chunks of cheese, then draw them with paper and pencil before happily devouring them. Later on, in school, I took drafting and drawing classes where I learned formal techniques in visualizing and drawing shapes.All my work is TIG welded because of its quality and strength - it's the best. Many artists teach themselves how to weld; I have the advantage of many classes in both high school and college. I've also worked as a welder and metal fabricator for many years. All these experiences have heightened my ability to shape and weld the forms I imagine. Viewing a finished piece is always a revelation. The orbital sanding process blends all the surfaces and edges together so that the shape looks like it has been carved from a single, solid metallic chunk. All its different forms, shadows, highlight-catching areas, and gentle curves or sharp corners, provide fascinating images. Walking around the new sculpture and checking out all the different views is an exciting process. Being able to turn a mental vision into something real is deeply, incredibly satisfying. When asked which of my works is my favorite, I always answer the same way: "The one I'm working on right now."
I graduated from San Jose State University in 1969 with a Bachelor's in Industrial Studies and a Standard Secondary Teaching Credential. Over 30 years of teaching metalworking techniques and skills has given me a lot of inspiration to create new sculptures. So many shapes, and so little time to build them: I can't wait to get started on my next project.
Created on ... February 16, 2005