About the Artist, Joe Dumas
Forklift - A Must Have!
What? Doesn't everybody have a forklift in their backyard?I am an artistic blacksmith living in Alabama. I started out as a Journeyman Carpenter and Cabinet Maker and after a number of years decided to challenge myself further. I became a self taught Contemporary Artistic Blacksmith, making furniture, sculpture and yard art from two unlikely combinations, stone and steel. This was a challenge to me. Everything that had been square, cut precisely and level was now odd angles and hand chiseled. But it was exactly where I wanted to be.
I was raised by my grandparents who lived through the Depression. Where nothing went to waste. Where it was reused. Where it was passed onto the next generation. We’ve become a “throw away” society. I want to change that, one piece at a time. That is my goal. I want to create something that will be passed onto another generation, where someone will sit and say, “this was gramma’s bench”. And have joy in it.
I do not use a forge anymore. I cold bend every piece of steel using a jig made by myself and a long piece of iron pipe. I either hand chisel the stone or saw the bigger pieces and hand chip the edges. All work is done by myself. I have no apprentices, assembly line or outside help. 3 dogs and my wife are my critics and my cheering section.
This vision encompasses my unique and whimsical blend of natural components, function and fun. Growing up in Salt Lake City along the Wasatch mountain range, I saw the beauty of the rocks, and with my association with blacksmiths, welders and stone masons throughout my life, learned the strength and durability of both. From picking out that ´perfect´ rock and hand chiseling the stone, to hand bending solid steel and tilting the back of the bench to that perfect angle supported by the metal becomes a one-of-a-kind functional sculpture that surprises and delights. I have been building benches, chairs, tables, trellises and many other items for over 20 years now. I love sharing my talent with others.
Summary of Qualifications:
1997 - Present: Artistic Blacksmith
I was raised by my grandparents who lived through the Depression. Where nothing went to waste. Where it was reused. Where it was passed onto the next generation. We’ve become a “throw away” society. I want to change that, one piece at a time. That is my goal. I want to create something that will be passed onto another generation, where someone will sit and say, “this was gramma’s bench”. And have joy in it.
I do not use a forge anymore. I cold bend every piece of steel using a jig made by myself and a long piece of iron pipe. I either hand chisel the stone or saw the bigger pieces and hand chip the edges. All work is done by myself. I have no apprentices, assembly line or outside help. 3 dogs and my wife are my critics and my cheering section.
This vision encompasses my unique and whimsical blend of natural components, function and fun. Growing up in Salt Lake City along the Wasatch mountain range, I saw the beauty of the rocks, and with my association with blacksmiths, welders and stone masons throughout my life, learned the strength and durability of both. From picking out that ´perfect´ rock and hand chiseling the stone, to hand bending solid steel and tilting the back of the bench to that perfect angle supported by the metal becomes a one-of-a-kind functional sculpture that surprises and delights. I have been building benches, chairs, tables, trellises and many other items for over 20 years now. I love sharing my talent with others.
Summary of Qualifications:
- 22 years experience as a contemporary Artistic Blacksmith utilizing Alabama natural sandstone and solid steel.
- 24 years experience as a Journeyman carpenter and cabinet maker.
- Alabama Designer Craftsmen Guild, Birmingham, AL
- Blacksmithing - John C. Campbell Folk Art School, Brasstown, NC Spring, 2010
- Blacksmithing - John C. Campbell Folk Art School, Brasstown, NC Fall, 2008
- Journeyman Carpenter, Salt Lake City, UT / Gadsden, AL 1974-1998
- Apprentice Carpenter, Salt Lake City, UT 1970-1974
1997 - Present: Artistic Blacksmith
- Hand pick stone, transport to shop.
- Saw, chip and build various types of furniture, sculpture and garden art using sandstone and steel.
- Meet with clientele to gather specific requirements for crafting home or garden items.
- Research current and historical design styles.
- Participate in 14-19 juried art shows throughout the U.S.
- Sketch ideas and plan for each work.
- Meet with clientele and craft home or garden items to their specifications.
- Build projects, set forms, trim work, dry wall installation and helped with additions from start to finish.
- Trained and experienced in all areas from framing to finishing work.
- Port Warwick Art and Sculpture Festival, Newport News, VA Award of Merit 2016
- Gosport Arts Festival, Norfolk, VA Best in Category 2016
- Pendleton Spring Jubilee, Pendleton, SC Best In Show 2011
- Autumn and Art at Bradley Fair, Wichita, KS Best in Category 2011
- Rising Sun Festival, Rising Sun, IN Best In Show 2010
- Nashville Lawn and Garden Show, Nashville, TN Best In Hard Goods 2008
- Virginia Highlands, Abingdon, VA Best In Show 2005
- Creative Arts Guild, Dalton, GA 2nd Place 2004
- Virginia Highlands, Abingdon, VA 3rd Place 2004
- Creative Arts Guild, Dalton, GA Best In Show 2003
- Cleveland Magazine, 2018
- Independent Mail Newspaper Pendleton, SC April 2015
- The Sentinal, Mt. Vernon September 2012
- IndependentMail.com April 2012
- The Capital Journal, Topeka, KS May 2011
- Flickr.com May 2010
- Cleveland Magazine June 2006
- Squidoo.com October 2005
- Emory Chair Project, Emory University, Atlanta, GA March 2003
- Gallery Placement, Artists Incorporated, Birmingham, AL
- John C. Campbell Folk Art School, Brasstown, NC
- Creative Arts Guild, Dalton, GA
- Barrett´s Place Playground, Pendleton, SC
- Boston Mills-Brandywine Ski Area, Peninsula, OH
- Toledo Botanical Gardens, Toledo, OH
- Mr. and Mrs. William Byrd, Auburn, AL
Have an idea for a great piece for your home or garden? Get in touch! yellowdog023@comcast.net