MIKE THEISEN

Photos are representational of artists work. Call the gallery for inventory inquiries.

ARTIST STATMENT

I am new to this art form, first holding a welding torch in my hand when I retired after 40 years as an educator.  I've always enjoyed working with tools and have done a fair amount of carpentry and woodworking.  I first learned to weld to assist in restoring old woodworking machinery from the 40's and 50's.  There is something very exhilarating about working with the primal elements of iron and fire and this art form particularly lends itself to creating with recyclable materials.  All of the metal I use comes from scrap yards, construction cast offs, junk stores and yard sales, so my designs are totally dictated by the materials available.  In order to further manipulate metal I have started blacksmithing, so hand forged pieces are starting to show up in my work.

I typically do not use paint on my ironwork preferring to let it develop a natural patina from exposure to the elements. Some of the bells do have a bit of original paint from their previous life as high pressure oxygen tanks and I leave it if it adds to the character of the piece. When the patina reaches a certain level I will clear coat the item to slow down the weathering process. From that point a coat or two of a clear lacquer every couple of years will help to preserve the colors that have developed.