Artist Statements & Resume

     I work hot steel ( iron ) by hammering it into the desired shape against an anvil, a process called "forging". When heated until white hot ( about 2000°f. ) iron can be manipulated as if it were clay. Instead of using my hands to work the "magic", I use precise hammer blows to transform the otherwise hard unyielding steel into soft and graceful objects with the inherent beauty of hand worked art. The interaction between the hammer and anvil imparts a texture that reflects how the piece was made.

     I like to think of myself as a "modern blacksmith". Generally, I use a coal-fired forge to heat the steel to forging temperature, an ancient process. I use over one hundred different shaped hammers, dozens of tools and shapes that work in conjunction with the anvils. I also employ modern, even space-age equipment like a plasma-arc cutter and an electronic microchip controlled welding shield. I love the irony ( excuse the pun ) of combining both the ancient and modern technologies in my work. I feel that almost any tool, when used properly, by a conscientious crafts person, will help to produce the artists' vision.

     I have had a lifetime adventure blending craftsmanship and art in many different mediums. My father, Cushing, was a "rock hound" and jack-of-all-trades who introduced me early in life to lapidary and jewelry work as well as more general trade work.

     These crafts led me to experiment with stained and etched glass as well as sandblasted and carved wooden sign work. In the realm of metal I have ventured into bronze casting, welding and fitting, working stainless steel and aluminum.

     While giving a wealth of experience these other ventures have always led me back to decorative and functional metal work. In 1983 my wife, 'the lovely Cindy' and I started the Magic Hammer Forge. I feel that in a way I have gone back to making jewelry only on a grander scale. House jewelry!

     If you are one who is looking for high quality, high end, unique handmade furniture, examples of my art can be seen by 'clicking here'.  Cindy or I will assist you in meeting your needs, and answer your questions about our product.
You can call 985-735-0049 for an appointment, or fax us at 985-735-7236.I hope that you enjoy your visit to our web site, and come back often. We intend to continuously update this site.
Please sign the "Guest Book". You can also 'e-mail' us anytime.

EXPERIENCE:
     1960 to Present, A lifetime of endeavor in art with many mediums; lapidary, stained and etched glass, sandblasted and carved wooden signs. Work in metal includes 18 years of experience with brass and sterling silver hand constructed jewelry; working at times with friends at American Art Foundry making cast bronze sculpture; 4 years as welder/ fitter/ crew pusher, working stainless steel, aluminum, and steel at Boland Marine Shipyard; and since 1985, as an artist / blacksmith forging decorative and functional items such as furniture, sculpture, and architectural detail of iron, steel, bronze, copper, brass, as well as found objects.

ABOUT MY CRAFT:
I am an "artist / blacksmith". I "forge" metal. Forging is to shape metal, to change the shape of a piece of metal. To accomplish this, I first heat the metal until it is very hot, ( around 2000° ) . When iron is this hot it takes on a plasticity that some people compare to wet clay. To get the iron this hot I use either a coal or a gas fired forge. Next I use a verity of hammers to hammer the metal into the shape that I desire, this usually requires several heats and a lot of hammering. I find it to be very much like making jewelry, only easier................and harder. I use as many as four different anvils, over one hundred different shaped hand hammers and any of three swage blocks. I also use a power hammer, it is a 75 lb.. air hammer that my oldest son, Noah, and I built over the summer of '98 . Oxy- Propane torch, a plasma cutter, a chop saw two band saws, a regular arc welder and a MIG welder are all employed as well.