Folk Art was very popular in the 1980s,
especially in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In order to fill his many, many orders
from the famous Doodlet's shop
my craftsman friend and tinsmith,
Ed Sprinkle,
hired me to work alongside
Madrid local Luke Walker
in cutting "tin."
The rusted steel metal and wire
came from the dump and arroyos
in Madrid, New Mexico.
Simple, primitive, iconic shapes were designed
and cut as quickly as possible.
Whenever Ed caught me embellishing a design,
he would remind me that extra detail
was neither practical, nor profitable.
Time has proven him right.
I did keep it simple for a while, making Weathervanes and standing objects.
But rusty brown was boring, and color was inevitable.
NEW TECHNIQUE
After I create a design, I cut it out with Tin Snips
and refine it with files.
After water-based paints are applied, it is then baked in an oven
which encourages rusting from under the paint...
giving it that genuine "antique" look.
1987 became the "The Year of Snipping Dangerously".
Many, many Bunnies, Santas, and Angels were created
under the bright blue Florida skies and palm trees.
Leslie Kaye, Palm Beach shop owner, told the Shiny Sheet that
"I sell all that he gives me."
Creating gifts for family and friends always gives me the most pleasure.
