Clarke County
Wood/Metal Work
Blake proudly stated “I am a welder by
trade.” “I had been doing a welding job and was cleaning up some of the scrap
metal. I saw a piece that looked like a rose petal. I took the other pieces and
heated and shaped them, pieced it together, and had made o long stem rose. This
made me start looking at the shapes and sizes of metal and getting ideas of
what I could make out of them.”
The most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of
his creations is when ideas come together as a unique piece of finished art.
The reaction of people viewing a piece of art made from one item into another
form amazes him. He has made flowers, birdbaths, wall art, light fixtures and
lamps, benches, tables, bottle trees and metal sculptures.
Materials include recycled metals and wood,
old cars and farm equipment, scrap yard and flea market finds, and old barns
and buildings. Completion of pieces depends on an items size - two to three
hours for small items and ten to twelve hours for larger items. His ideas come
after viewing metal or wood and imagining what a unique item it could become.
Blake’s wife and four year old son Aiden
enjoy helping with ideas. She enjoys finding metal and creating something from
it; Aiden “helps” in the shop with the torch and a hammer. The first wall art
was created by Blake and Aiden using metal and old barn wood. The first piece
of “priceless” art created by father and son hangs proudly in their home.
Blake has taught many people general
welding techniques – in particular two young high school men that work in the
shop to create pieces of art. They discuss ideas and ways to create their
finished items.
Blake
has items on display at Rose of Sharon Antiques and Interiors in Jackson, AL and
in the Grove Hill Arts Council.