Public Sculptures: Inspire

The “Inspire” sculptures are forged first as 1/3rd scale maquettes (1/3rd height and width and 1/27th the weight.) Starting with a length ½” solid square steel, we bend it to form the square base, with its two ends extending upward. I then hammer the two skyward reaching ends hot to shape from the intuitive “heat of the moment” state of mind that the blacksmithing process always induces in us. When I am sure the maquette exudes the energies I am looking for, my assistant and I proceed to forging the full-scale sculpture with our large power hammers, jib cranes and presses. The magic of the forging process and the wonderful malleability of hot steel creates elegance and lyricism and meaning beyond what we can consciously articulate. The interplay between the forms projects optimism and positivity to us and to many of our viewers. They are a joy to create.