A Heart of the Home
Featured Artist
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Velvet HammerWhat do you get when you cross a tennis player with an artist? A blacksmith. Throw in a lifetime gardener and that blacksmith works in an organic style with a nature theme. The first time Roberta Elliot struck iron, she was smitten. For her, there is something wonderfully indescribable about the energy exchange that takes place while blacksmithing.
Her primary material is mild steel. She particularly enjoy using pipes. This hollow material gives an impression of mass without the actual weight and provides an additional surface (the interior) with its own potential to be worked. It is a form that requires a gentle and patient hammer blow, so it doesn’t collapse. Currently, she uses only recycled pipe; the other ends are running around in John Deere tractors. The versatility of mild steel allows it to take the bold shapes usually associated with ironwork, as well as the soft, feminine lines for which she strives. Her work often contains botanical references. Roberta creates images that evoke continuing growth. Each heat of the metal offers an opportunity to explore. The results can be unexpected, opening up an entirely new path leading to the spontaneity evident in many of her creations. |
Portfolio
These images are a representative sample of this artist's work. Many handmade items are one-of-a-kind. Please call or email to find out more about our current collection. Items not currently in-stock can often be ordered. We ship within the continental US and can process orders over the phone.
