Tuesday, July 6, 2010

the art of ironing

So, years ago hubby learned the art of blacksmithing from an old timer....dabbled in it a bit ....making practical gimcracks and whatnots ....you know, hobby , time burning , driving-wife-crazy stuff. And I thought, as all wives do....how can I make better use of hubbys time??
It was only natural and inevitable that I would eventually covert this properly trained blacksmith to the dark, seedy world of art.
Ok, maybe not dark.....but surely twisted a tad.
So here is our collaborating of iron and canvas....
Hubby heats, bends, contorts old farm tools and implements ...(pitchforks are a favorite)...into sculptural displays for my paintings.
more forging hammers than you can shake a stick ata few finished florals....................pigtails and pig iron.....the old Swedish anvil........Dick at workDick is very proud that everything is hand forged in a very primitive manner.....without the use of power tools or any type of electrical equipment.....
After the metal cools, I come along and "purdy-up" and fit the molded and melded iron with a painting that suits it best.
Voila! A perfect marriage of metal and canvas.

9 comments:

Stacy said...

Sounds to me like the perfect marriage --- and a perfect post! Love the old forge, what a lucky hubby! I have an old forge here on the farm, though not the extensive collection of tools that yours houses. Love your floral paintings too...oh, dreamy colors....happy summer!!!

Weathered & Worn said...

Looks like a great mix of talents!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE that post - how perfect...two very different art forms complimenting one another.

Stephanie Lloyd said...

A tall, cool man leaning in the doorway at dusk. Sweet.

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Stephanie Lloyd sent me your way and I'm so glad she did! What a wonderful mix of talents you and your hubby are. Artists in all forms and beautifully complimenting each other. Love it!

Erin said...

Your talent is astounding. Came by the way of Farmhouse country style, and man am I glad. I love your artwork and having grown up on the farm, it speaks to me deeply.

Chelsea said...

Oh, Jennifer what a wonderful idea. I also love pitchforks. I still dont know why, but I love the color and shape. The retired forks hand lovingly on my wall, next to old pieces of bard wood. They hold the memories of manure and field work, and a couple tumbles in the field. Dick must think all woman are nuts, but at least he knows his wife is not the only one.

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

how cool is this? !!!!!

two beautifully talented creations marry as one.

love it!

beautiful!

becky

Phyllis said...

What a great craft for him to learn - so many things he can make.

I just love your art!