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The studio is located on the North Shore of Lake Ponchartrain in Robert, Louisiana in the woods bordering the
Chappapeela Creek, centrally located within an hour's drive of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Hammond, Covington, Mandeville
and Slidell, Louisiana.
All of John's 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.
He primarily use two different finishes on his furniture. One is a brown patina which is similar in nature
to wood 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 and stop the reaction. The 2nd finish 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 color with many highlights. Other color options may
be available and can be discussed if needed.
John is self-taught and has been working with Iron full-time for over 17 years. His work is constantly evolving
and is continuously sought after by collectors and iron lovers. He is currently featured in the April 2008
edition of Louisiana Homes and Gardens magazine in an article titled, "Artist Mecca, local arts and crafts at the 2008 Jazz
Festival". He has been featured in many other local publications over the past 10 years including but not limited
to The New Orleans Home and Garden magazine, Inside Northside, The Times Picayune to name a few. He has been the past
President and Vice President of the Louisiana Metalsmiths Association and is a member of the Artist Blacksmith Association
of North America.
His work can be found across the country from the East coast to the West coast. He has provided liturgical furnishings
for Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Hammond, LA as well as St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ponchatoula, LA. He has also
done work for commercial establishments such as Garrison's Global Bar in Hammond, LA.
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