D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 1 9
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WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES IN WORKING AND FORGING WITH HOT
IRON AND METAL.
Forging metal is the most exciting part of my work! I love
watching the shape of the hot metal change as I hammer it.
I have worked with steel, copper, stainless steel, bronze, and mo-
nel. You can heat the steel 1000 degrees hotter than bronze and
not damage it. When you heat bronze in excess it will crumble
and looks like sugar. You have to constantly monitor the tem-
perature of the material, being prepared for what you are going
to do when you bring it out of the forge. It is a very slow, labor
intensive process. As soon as it cools, it's back into the forge for
more heat. I'm always thinking of the next step and getting the
most work done while it is hot.
INSPIRATION IS IMPORTANT IN ANY ART FORM.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOURS?
I find creative inspiration from the natural world, my travels,
studies and the work at hand, each piece with its own delight-
ful detail and texture. I teach at different art/craft schools in
the U.S.; working with the students brings inspiration. I'm also
fascinated with historical metalwork.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
Right now I am forging 10 sections of my branch railings, two
sets of custom fireplace doors, also hinges and latches for a gate
and door. My present projects range from Montana to Florida.
DESCRIBE ONE OF YOUR FAVOR-
ITE PIECES, AND WHY IT WAS SO
SPECIAL.
At a historic ranch here in
Western Montana I used a
100-year-old wagon wheel that
had been found on the ranch to
make entry door hardware. I used
the old metal tire for the escutch-
eon plate and used three of the
ONE MY GREATEST
PLEASURES IS TO KNOW
THAT WHAT I CREATE
WILL BE ENJOYED AND
IN USE FOR GENERATIONS.
Twig Railing
Copper detail
on oak table
