Artistic and Functional Ironwork in Greenfield, MA
Bloom Iron
What is ‘bloom iron’?
This material began as iron rich rock that I collected from old mine sites deep in the woods of New England. These are then sorted, roasted, broken into pieces, and finally smelted in a clay furnace with charcoal. This process removes impurities and creates an iron “bloom” through intense heat, chemical transformation, and maybe a little magic. This is the same process utilized by our ancestors for thousands of years to create forgeable iron from raw earth. The material is unique from modern steel and is not attainable through any other method. Each bloom is unique in its character and chemical properties. A balance of calculation, intuition, and observation is the basis of each step. A skilled bloom-smith can guide the process but must also be willing to let go of total control and work with the individual nature of each bloom.
BLOOM IRON SCULPTURE:
These sculptures are an exploration of bloom iron’s unique qualities and their creation is a practice of spontaneous self expression through intense observation while letting go of expectation. This is my oasis of presence in a profession that requires constant planning.
De re metallica. 1556
” Everything Changes Everything: a homage to ”Nyamakala #1′ “
19″x11″x4″
FOR SALE
“Growing Pain” & “growing pain 2”
8″ tall
FOR SALE
“An old man reaches the top of the hill and finds a hole in his heart”