Longing for an intense opportunity...

 Although I love learning Blacksmithing from Dave Hanson of Duluth, and hope to go spend some time with him again this year, I'm longing for some intense "Throw me RIght IN there" kind of mentoring where I can really focus on how to draft large scale sculptures and forge large pieces of steel.  SO I emailed Albert Paley and Rachel David (Red Metal)!  Now it's the waiting game... let's see if they get back to me about mentoring possibilities for 2015? :D  Rachel will be demonstrating at this years ABANA Conference, so I am super stoked and hope to discuss such matters with her then.  Take a look at their websites listed below:

http://albertpaley.com

http://redmetal.net

Preserving Harold Project Gallery Exhibition Proposal

Well, I've finally hunkered down to write a gallery proposal to show the Preserving Harold Project. Here's a snip-it from my artist statement:

The Preserving Harold Project (P.H.P.) is an emotionally based art project, stemming from the sudden death of my Uncle Harold.  Although the project is rooted in personal experience, family and my/our method of grieving, it also speaks to greater themes of life cycles and rebirth. Through the manipulation of photographs, light, sound, video, as well as the collection and assemblage of objects, the P.H.P documents family and property; and turns objects into ornaments.

            My artistic process is an integral part of my artwork, lending to the overall essence I aim for.  I began incorporating steel into my artistic process while working on the P.H.P.  The simple steel hangers forged for the P.H.P. are not only functional and decorative, but also are meaningful, resembling the invisible roots that connect and hold everything together.  As I heated and pounded the steel while thinking about Harold, his house, and family, my mental process developed, as hammering requires precision of intent and presence in the moment.  The process of blacksmithing also relates to a common theme of rebirth that permeates my work, as all elements (water, air, earth, fire) are required when transforming steel.  The Preserving Harold Project marks the beginning of a journey in steel, as I forge connections with a focus on family.

To view more about the Preserving Harold Project visit my blog at http://preservingharoldproject.blogspot.ca 

Thunder Giant Metalsmith Guild

I'm soooo excited! 

     I love when new projects grow from new relationships with like-minded artists.  I've been co-ordinating the creation of a guild up here in NW Ontario - we now call ourselves the "Thunder Giant Metalsmith Guild". What I find to be most exciting is meeting the people who are drawn to this group.  Many members are young or have a youthful energy that excites us all.  I'm sure we will go far.  It's exciting to have people to share our talents with, teach, learn, and overall exchange and excite one another. Our current project is writing a proposal for an open call to artists.  Whether we are finalists or not, it's a great opportunity to discover others interested in working on large scale projects.  Super exciting times!  

Now that's what I like to see!  

...Look at the size of that steel!  Glad to have you as a member of the guild Steve Sitko, looking forward to working with you and hearing about your experience.