I have always been a fan of sculpture. Haven taken a few courses back in college, I truly respect the art form and work that is involved with the entire process. From its most simplest to complex forms, it is a craft that I find overly intriguing. One artist that I would like to thank for continuing my interest in sculpture is blacksmith Joe Brown. Brown works out of his shop in rural Middle Tennessee where he creates custom forged iron work used in homes and businesses throughout Middle Tennessee and across the United States. Brown’s beautiful pieces have included arbors, architectural elements, beds, benches, candle stands, fireplace doors and screens, gates, lighting, mailboxes, railings, sculpture, signs, stools, tables, wall hangings, window grilles, door grilles, and many more. Outdoor Furniture News had a chance to catch up with Joe and ask him a few questions.
OFN: “Artist Blacksmith” is an uncommon career choice. What led you to pursue this way of life?
I have always liked working with my hands and I enjoy creating art. I also wanted to work from home so I could spend more time with my family. Working as an Artist Blacksmith gives me the opportunity to enjoy all of these things.
OFN: What does it mean that your pieces are hand-crafted using blacksmith techniques?
I use the traditional method of heating metal in a forge and forming the metal with hammer and anvil. This method has a long history of providing ironwork from the most simplistic form to the most ornate. Each piece is unique because I create them one at a time. Every white oak leaf I make is a little different from the others just as they are different growing on the tree.
OFN: Your garden pieces and sculpture are very beautiful. Do iron objects perform well outdoors and in the garden? Are they durable and functional?
I usually work with steel and copper. Both of these mediums do well outdoors. Sometimes I coat the steel with a paint to add color and prevent rust. Other pieces are left uncoated so they can patina as they are exposed to the elements. I use steel that is thick enough to rust but not deteriorate.
OFN: Where is your work shown?
Most of my work is commissioned because I specialize in custom forgings for the home and garden. I make pieces that fit a specific area or to compliment a particular design. This gives me the opportunity to offer my clients something that meets their needs and fills their space exactly. I do take my work to a few local fine art shows and I open my studio for a weekend each November as part of a tour of studios in my area. My website and blog also show some of my current work.
OFN: Your designs are fresh and original. At the same time, they seem to reflect traditional forms and influences. What is your most important source of inspiration?
My designs vary from straight lines and contemporary to reproductions and colonial. But the majority of my work reflects creations found in nature. I always go back to leaves, flowers, grasses and cattails. I like the way a vine flows and wraps around other things. It’s great to take that idea and put it in a railing on a staircase or on an arbor in a garden. I am excited about my most recent sculpture series called “Seascape”. I use a combination of photo realism and art interpretation to replicate in steel some of the ocean’s most extraordinary inhabitants.
I want to thank Joe Brown for letting the world know a little more about his craft. You can view his art at www.brownviewforge.com.
Credits: The images in this article are works by Joe Brown. I also want to thank John Balch for his contribution to this article




