creek Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 I'm back in college trying to get a degree in art sculpture with the emphasis on metal. I was wondering what kind education, experiences, and classes that y'all have had that you believe have made yourself better at what you do, whether hobbyist or professionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 I'd have to say that joining the group of blacksmiths that meet on a regular basis has been by far, the greatest asset to skill enhancement. Everyone wants to help, and share, because of the shared love of the art. Find a group and get in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Going to quad-state for nearly 20 years and sitting in the "same classes" taught by different instructors giving you a wealth of different ways to do things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateDJ Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Saltfork Craftsmen is the Oklahoma guild and is an excellent group of smiths. check out the newsletter and it will list all the meeting dates with the next one being on the 8th of November and in your area of the state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creek Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 I'm part of the saltfork craftsmen. I belong to couple of different groups. I was just interested in hearing about other people experiences about what made them better at what they do. I have recognized that when a certain group of folk hang around each other a lot, that you tend to hear the same ideas and was just looking for ideas and stories outside my region Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateDJ Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Ah, I see, and I agree. I would love to be able to travel to other sates for the meetings but being centrally located makes that a 2 day trip to anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I get to Quad-State from central NM. Work up a car pool! What about the ABS school in Texarkana? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creek Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 I appreciate all your info! Sorry if I wasn't clear. I was just wanting to hear about other peoples experiences. I'm always a sucker for new, unheard, or just interesting story about other peoples live. ThomasPowers, I do see the importance of learning about doing things different ways. Just because you know how to do something, doesn't mean you know all the different ways to get it done, which is pretty important considering you don't always approach a task the way. Great stuff and thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 I've taken a bunch of courses over the years that helped a great deal. If you are young and starting out, finish your art degree, take a bunch of courses and learn as much as you can, then apprentice in some of the premier shops in Europe for a few years.... if you are serious about artistic blacksmithing as a career. Just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makoz Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Hi Creek, I've been down a similar route to yours, went back to art school after 12-13 yrs working, mostly as a diesel fitter but also some furniture making (when the spanner work became too much:p). The most useful courses I've done outside uni have been basic welding -as offered by trade colleges for apprentice boilermakers; and an intro blacksmithing course. To further a career in public art I would suggest doing a proper CAD course. While it may not actaully assist your own work directly, it will only enhance your proposals when you go for commissions. Many such opportunities are dependant on the OK of an engineer (well they are here, because of Workplace Health and Safety, duty of care, public liability ad nauseum), and people like that only speak CAD! It certainly doesn't hurt to present your work as a 3D walk-around on a computer, or send it on a CD etc. I haven't been too far down the route I started, with only a few commissions and some exhibitions- inc. a selection of work over your way at SOFA in Chicago- instead I stayed at the uni and now teach workshop practices to sculpture students. Anyway, that's my advice, good luck with what you're up to! Makoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creek Posted November 1, 2008 Author Share Posted November 1, 2008 I appreciate all of the info! It's taken a few years for me to get my head on straight enough to go back to school. Makoz, I have some drafting experience, my grandpa used to sit me down as a child and have me draft up different shapes that he found laying around the shop. I would jump at the chance to study in Europe, but school comes first. VoTech here offers some cad courses which I've planned on taking this coming summer. Thank you to all that have responded to my thread, I have learned a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fat pete Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 Creek I am sorry I missed your thread I just posted So You Wanna Be a Blacksmith thread that may interest you. Fat Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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