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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

In the second installment of Ten Tips for Buying Outdoor Furniture, I am going to explain the advantages of aluminum-constructed furniture. Aluminum and steel are two popular materials used in creating the framework of outdoor furniture. When comparing the two mediums there are some issues to consider.

First and foremost, steel WILL rust regardless of the pretreatment and top coat finish that is applied. Moisture is steel’s nemesis and considering the furniture is used outdoors, eliminating the moisture component is virtually impossible even if the furniture is placed in a covered or screened area. Steel is primarily used in “wrought iron” styles of furniture. Steel can be bent to create beautiful forms and details. Some of the techniques used in creating wrought iron furniture are centuries old. Generally, steel furniture is heavy and is a logical choice for windy outdoor environments.  Wrought iron furniture is a popular choice and many consider this to be the first category of traditional outdoor furniture.

Aluminum furniture is created from either extrusions or solid cast aluminum. Many designs today, however, incorporate both extrusions and solid aluminum castings. An extrusion is best described as a hollow tube of aluminum usually formed with inner walls for added strength. The extrusions are made in a manner similar to how pasta is created.  Solid aluminum cores or “billets” are pushed through a die shaped in the cross section profile of the desired look.  The pieces are cut and bent into whatever shape the furniture requires.

Aluminum can also be melted, poured into carved molds, cooled and welded onto extrusions to provide details that simple extrusions cannot provide. These aluminum parts are called cast aluminum components. Some outdoor furniture designs do not include the aluminum extrusions at all and are created entirely from solid cast aluminum parts. But, combining aluminum extrusions and cast components offer both weight and cost advantages. A solid cast aluminum chair can be extremely heavy and since aluminum is basically sold by weight, the resulting furniture would also be very costly. A benefit of combining extrusions with castings is in the additional weight.  This weight, although modest, would prove beneficial in windy areas where slightly heavier outdoor furniture is required.

However, the biggest advantage when comparing aluminum to steel furniture- aluminum furniture will not rust. It is the perfect material to use outdoors and when coated with a baked on powder coated paint finish, outdoor aluminum furniture will last forever.

If you are in the market for outdoor furniture, consider one of the most recognized outdoor furniture brands for quality, style and comfort- Winston Furniture. In business since 1975, Winston Outdoor Furniture has built high quality outdoor furniture for the leisure activity enjoyment of families all over America and beyond. Visit our website www.winstonfurniture.com to view the entire product offering and to locate an authorized Winston dealer in your area.