The focus of my work is celebrating the unique characteristics of metal that allow it to create beautiful forms and textures. My techniques include forging, fabricating, hammering, piercing and repouséeing copper and steel. I am drawn to steel by the contrast between its hot malleability and cold strength and to copper for the warm color and the many patinas that can vary its appearance. I frequently combine these metals to bring out these contrasts as well as using accents of German silver and mica. My design inspirations are natural forms, Japanese art and the forms and motifs of the Arts and Crafts movement.

I have been working with metal over 20 years. A friend showed me railings he was making for his home. Curious, I asked where he learned to blacksmith and fabricate steel and he steered me to the John C. Campbell Folk School in western North Carolina. I took a class there and I was hooked. After many years forging metal in my free time, I was finally able to pursue my passion full time when I retired in 2013. One of the great things about working with metal is that there is always something new to learn and I look forward to learning and trying new things for many more years.