I didn't start out being an artist or sculptor.  I had a career and worked for a large corporation for most of my adult life.  Then, I had enough of the corporate world and decided to do something else.  I decided to try my hand at small business ownership.   I bought a powder coating business and every day I was applying the most beautiful colors to a wide variety of metal products.  I began to realize the impact a piece of art could have through the use of color and size.  Two weeks into business ownership I realized I had made a mistake.  Like a slap in the face, it was then that I was hit hard by the desire to create art and sculpture.  It took me four years to get out of my business and start making art all the time. 

 

I started out making art that could be displayed indoors or outdoors.  The early stuff was mostly silhouettes of objects (e.g., kokopelli, lizards, golfers, etc.) that were powdercoated so that people could display it in their yard/garden or hang it on the wall in their home or business.  I evolved out of that type of art because when creating it it felt more like craftworks instead of art creation.  The other issue I began to wrestle with is that when someone buys a picture or sculpture for their home or business only a few people will actually see the art.

 

I have been developing my skills and techniques for the last ten years.  Over that period of time I have tried several different types of art strategies for artworks creation.  I have become a highly skilled metal sculptor.  I have the option of and use of color and I know what it takes to display the artwork outdoors.  I have developed my own special technique I call using 'metal as a canvas'.  I am able to apply paint to metal and powdercoat on top of the painted images so that the images are protected from the outdoor elements.  Again, another evolution is in progress and I am now creating large and colorful pieces of art suitable for Public Art displays. 

 

When you create 'public art' many people will see and appreciate it.  Just the thought of that concept makes we want to create art that attracts attention, transforms a landscape, or is an expression of the values of the community.  My goal is to provide an art experience that gets your attention, moves you or make you think about what you've seen.

 

As a metal artist/sculptor I use steel sheets, rods and lots wire in the creation of my art.  I also us re-cycled metal or found objects whenever I can to produce art (see 'Chicks' above).  I know how to create beautiful and sound works of sculpture out of metal and I understand what it takes to protect sculpture from the seasonal weather elements that can impact the long term beauty of the art.  From the beginning of every project I am aware of the safety issues to ensure safe installation for public viewing. 

Within me I have the ability to see art forms to be created.  I continually strive to improve my artistic techniques and have the tools to transform something common into something beautiful.  I thrive on the challenge of design and the processes of engineering and artistic creation.  I produce art from a wide range of ideas and in every piece my goal is to create a positive visual image and get a reaction from the viewer.  I want to impact the senses and enrich the lives of people who see my art.

 

An artist will produce their best works only when they have a passion for what they are creating.  

Here some more background information

I live on a two acre property in a rural community.  My studio is also on this property.  When I purchased this property my intent was to convert the metal garlic drying shed into an artist studio.  In this studio I would produce metal artwork and sculpture.  Along with creating the art I would develop the landscape into a beautiful garden setting in which to display my 'creative expressions'... an outdoor art gallery.

 

In 2000, I retired from a large corporation.  My previous job skills were in the computer industry as an Instructional Technologist and Human Performance Engineer.  Some of the skills I used on a regular basis were business analysis, learning and performance intervention analysis, curriculum design, course design and development, developing online learning environments, human factors engineering, online documentation, project management, business re-engineering, quality control management and team development.  

 

After 28 years and thousands of hours in meetings, I decided to leave the corporate life and address my entrepenurial spirit.  I found out later that it was not my entrepenurial spirit that I was looking for, but my creative one.

 

I started out by owning a powder coating business.  I did this for four years.  Customers would bring in all kinds of metal things to be powder coated.  I could not believe how beautiful old stuff looked when re-coated.  It was then that I started to see the potential for creating artwork and the many and spectacular color possibilities.  I was tinkering with artwork and running a business at the same time.  I found myself creating more art all the time, instead of running a business.  Eventually, I gave up the powdercoating business, and now design and produce art full time. 

 

I'm a person that will never retire.  I like to stay busy and I like to create.  I still have life goals, artistic goals, aspirations and the desire to accomplish them. 

 

Things I like to do other than art

The garden has been a primary influence in my artwork.  In my lifetime I have created seven landscapes.  Each went way beyond just a grass lawn.  I love flowers, rockscapes, old driftwood and any kind of art that I can integrate into a yard.  I love sculpture gardens.  To stroll through such a space where I encounter flowers and art forms that complement each other is a very exciting experience for me.  And motivational, it makes me want to create something.

 

click here to see a slideshow of my garden.

 

Other activites I like to do are fishing, walking, reading art books, biking, watching Denver Broncos football, having a cup of strong coffee with my friends and spending time with my family.