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The studio is located on the North Shore of Lake Ponchartrain in Robert, Louisiana tucked in the woods bordering the Chappapeela Creek. It is centrally located within an hour's drive of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Hammond, Covington, Mandeville and Slidell, Louisiana.
All of my work is hand-forged Iron. Forging is a blacksmithing technique where steel bar and plate are heated in a forge to red hot, around 2000 degrees, and then hammered into shape on an anvil. One piece of furniture can have over one hundred individually forged elements. The forged elements are welded together to create the final structure. There is an extensive clean-up process which involves grinding and polishing the welds, sand-blasting and putting the finish on each piece.
I primarily use two different finishes on my work. One is a brown patina which is similar in nature to stain on wood. It is a chemical reaction on bare metal that gives the metal a rapid brown/rust color. It is then clear coated to seal the color. The 2nd finish that I offer is the natural color of the steel. Bare steel is cleaned, polished and sandblasted then reheated to an even color, wire buffed and coated with a clear 2-part urethane paint. The color is a dark silver/grey with many highlights. Other color options may be available and can be discussed if needed.
I am self-taught and have been working with iron full-time for over 17 years. My work evolves and is collected by many. I have been featured in many publications over the past 10 years including, but not limited to, The New Orleans Home and Garden Magazine, The Louisiana Homes and Gardens Magazine, Inside Northside Magazine, & The Times Picayune New Orleans, LA local newspaper. I am a long term member of, and have been the past President and Vice President of, the Louisiana Metalsmiths Association and am a member of the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America.
I have taught private blacksmithing lessons in my studio as well as continuing education classes at the Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA. I am compiling a waiting list for future private classes to take place in late 2009. Please contact me via email if you are interested in private or group blacksmithing lessons.
I currently exhibit my work for public viewing at 2 different festivals in Louisiana at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA and the Covington Three Rivers Art Festival in Covington, LA. I exhibit available work at these festivals and spend the rest of my time on custom orders. I welcome visitors to my studio for a tour and to discuss custom work or to view available work.
Thank you again for your interest and for viewing my website. 
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