I’m an artist blacksmith creating organic forms such as plants and other shapes found in nature using mild steel and copper. I have always felt that blacksmithing found me – I was going through treatment for a serious illness I came across a book on blacksmithing. I decided that when I completed treatment, my reward would be to forge hot metal and I’ve been forging ever since.

I achieve a natural look and feel of my work with texture and use color to highlight areas of focus. I recently discovered a low-carbon steel that is softer and has a more dynamic flow, which I like and have been experimenting with. Since no two plants are identical, forging them in variations allows more creativity and artistic freedom.

I’m always on the lookout for interesting ideas to forge based on nature. When I encounter an inspiration, I make several sketches and bring those to a near-finished piece on paper before lighting the forge. Then as I forge the item, I may discover my two-dimensional drawing needs adjustments. Sometimes a different shape is realized that flows better with the design and sometimes it’s back to the drawing board.

My current body of work is small (rail road spike nativity set) to medium (flash flood depicted in steel) sized pieces. However, I’m now developing a large-scale sculpture as a community project that will transform the hand-held size item into its life-size equivalent.

Crossed Matches Forge makes custom artist blacksmith ironwork from a little something for a simple gift to as far as your imagination will take you.

Gallery

Kelp Leg Table

Forged Cross on AZ Sierra Banded Sandstone Base

Contact Info: stevemiller.az@cox.net