A Pheasant

I was commissioned by a local Pheasant and Quail conservation group to create a Pheasant sculpture in order to benefit the organization. They were familiar with my work, and knew at the least that I create bird sculptures by welding recycled stainlesss cutlery. They gave me a budget, but aside from that gave me free creative expression to make the sculpture however I want. They were absolutely floored by the result, and will auction the bird off to raise money during their yearly auction.

For those who don't know me and my work, I am a welder by trade and I use my passion and knowledge in welding to create art on the side. I focus mainly on animals such as birds, spiders, and fox. Foxes? Foxen?.... I shop thrift stores around my local area for bulk stainless cutlery of which I have many many pieces in my workshop. My method of creating is to repurpose everyday items such as silverware into works of fine art. I sell online, at markets, and in art galleries around my local area of Fort Wayne, Indiana. I've had the pleasure of being a continuously featured artist at the Paradigm Gallery inside the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.

My dream is to take my art hobby and turn it into a full time career. I have always been passionate about art, but never believed I had what it takes to make a living off of it. Since I have gone public with my art about 18 months ago, I have had many opportunities present themselves and have found myself in fortunate situations that I couldn't have imagined. I have been so warmly embraced by the community, and people have been so kind and supportive of my work that the full time artist living is starting to become a reality that I can see on the horizon.

Being an artist has helped me connect with my community as well as build online friendships, partnerships, and professional relationships. Locally, I have used my art to help raise money for schools, wildlife rescues, and community developments. The most fulfilling experiences that l've had have been showing and selling my art at local markets. Seeing people's reactions to my work in person is such a rewarding experience. People light up when they see my work, and ask questions about my process, which I am more than willing to share with people. If I can teach someone to find their passion, I feel good about what I'm doing with my mission as an artist. I hope to inspire, entertain, and delight people while following my dreams. Join me on my journey by following my page on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and of course TikTok. I am open for commissions, questions, advice, or simple conversation. I appreciate your support and hope to see more of my audience join in on my mission.

The Jury

When I started to go public with my art, I wasn’t exactly sure where it would take me. I never imagined I’d be selling in galleries and running a website and multiple social media accounts in such a short amount of time. It has been just over a year of continuous work and growth towards my goals and I have had many great opportunities present themselves.

Two weeks ago, I submitted my first piece to a call to entry for a juried show at Artlink in my hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Patiently, I have waited to hear back from the judge of the many entries submitted by artists all over the country. To my great surprise, I was contacted with the news that my piece was accepted into the show. I have the honor to show my first juried artwork in an upcoming exhibition in October 2024. The show is titled “Compact: Small Works of Art” and the focus is on pieces under 6 inches in size.

The piece that I entered is a very small bird, made out of miniature espresso spoons. I shaped and welded the spoons to achieve an aesthetic that feels natural and pleasing. This piece highlights the bending and placing of spoons in a way that creates a sense of movement and natural flow. The bird is placed on a piece of Bolivian Rosewood that I have cut, routed, sanded, and oiled to achieve a smooth and saturated appearance.

The fusion of natural wood with stainless steel echoes the sense that we are natural beings, living in a somewhat unnatural world. We have to use our instincts to survive man made challenges, but if we can overcome those obstacles and find harmony in this world, we will ourselves become natural flowing works of art and find our place in this Judged and Juried exhibition of life.

A Statement

Derek, a resident of Huntertown, IN was born in Fort Wayne. For nearly two decades, he has worked in the medical device welding field.

Derek's passion for welding extends to his art, where he focuses his attention to detail and cleanliness. He creates animal sculptures by upcycling used cutlery, giving new purpose to discarded objects through welding. You can frequently find him treasure hunting for silverware at thrift stores across Fort Wayne.

A Purpose

As I sift through bins at thrift stores looking for the perfect pieces of discarded spoons and forks, I think about this:

Those items served a purpose, had a place at the family dinner table. Until they didnt. I pick them up, take them home and put some magic into them.

Welding gives them life and a renewed sense of purpose. It transforms them into works of art that they never knew they could be. And as suprised as they are each time, so am I. So I share my passion and discoveries with the world. Maybe those same discarded spoons end up back where they came from, but with a different perspective. A work of art peering down at the dinner table from a cherished place on the wall.

The studio

I want to introduce you to my workspace that I built in my garage. This workbench is the center of my creative space. I have always loved the sights, sounds, and smells of the industrial environment. When I walk out here, my ideas come to life. From an idea in my head, to a metallic work of art. I will continue to show my creative process through video and pictures. Visit my Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to get a look at the process and work behind my creations!