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THE LAST IRON MAN
Nic East -
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 7:28am
ornamental metal | retrospective | Studio | welding | wrought iron THE LAST IRON MANIn late 1969, I began doing steel sculpture while waiting for my printers to deliver their work to me. I was operating as a graphic designer and printing broker at the time. As I welded and ground, brazed and polished, neighbors and friends often came by to watch me work there in my driveway. I remember them asking; ”Can you fix this? Can you make that?” Soon, I had a back yard and garage full of steel and two helpers working for me. Graphic design was all but forgotten. In the early seventies I rented my first commercial property and was officially known as IRON MEN Ornamental Metalsmiths. It is always with certain trepidation that we become entrepreneurs. Going out on our own is such a risky business and so stressing that we become imbued with the business attitudes of profit and loss and client-employee satisfaction. But you’ve got do the thing to really get the feeling. As time went on, our little company grew stronger and began to get more ambitious. Eventually, we got a deal on a 22,000 square foot building with over 8000 square feet of outside land including a parking lot. Now we were a BIG-TIME operation. Indeed, I almost needed binoculars to see across the main fabricating room. We built a lot of amazing metalwork and steadily gained acceptance with architects and builders. We also had a long list of estate homeowners, museums and churches. We computerized our operations during the mid-1980’s, and began to use CADD drawings to submit our work. This increased client trust and we got even more work. We also had a showroom full of samples and showed our work at a few conventions, winning many prizes and awards. Suddenly, after over 31 years of metalworking . . . half my life almost, I was getting ready to retire. It is difficult to retire an old fire horse. My wife Eileen helped me to deal with this process so that I not go bonkers every time the phone rings. I never before realized how deeply involved and empatterned I had become during all those years. Extricating one’s self from the webwork of business demands is a very difficult problem that is full of feeling. We metalsmiths must provide for the time when we will not be able to work so hard every day of the week. We need to be financially able to make those final stabilizing moves. We need to rent out our spaces, sell off our excess materials and tools . . . in fact, sell the business as a going concern if possible, or else we must auction it off. I had no children nor grand children who care to be interested in carrying on with it, so, I guess in a way; I’m the LAST IRON MAN. What a legacy; what a golden reputation to give up. The feelings of completion and mourning are poignantly intermingled and give a certain ambivalent dichotomy to all future actions taken or imagined. The perspectives are long and the satisfaction is great. So it is with a little sadness and other mixed emotions that I came to this process of celebration. It was the beginning of my brave new future, full of release from the delayed gratification of waiting for that right time. Now I truly began to live the good life for which I worked so long. I looked forward to new creative opportunities facilitated by my glorious Hill Home Forge studios and workshops. Together, my beloved Eileen and I entered into this new time and adventure together. That happened in 2000 and it is now 2008. My life and paradigm have changed for the better. I now have deep knowledge of a total of 73 artistic disciplines including wood, stone and glass as well as many forms of metalsmithing. I am here to tell you that there is definitely life after retirement and you can take that energy you used to secure a living all those years and refocus to become leaner and even more concentrated in the work you choose to pursue. I did it, and so can you. Nic East, Hill Home Forge, Jim Thorpe, PA USA  Kindred Spirit
visitor -
Saturday, May 17, 2008 - 5:49pm
Dear Bruce: I looked at your house and studio and I think we share a similar "vibe" in that we have made a life of our art. Congratulations, Nic » reply  Congratulations
Frank Castiglione -
Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 8:19am
Hi Nic, » reply Acknowledgement
visitor -
Saturday, May 17, 2008 - 5:30pm
Thanks, Frank, for looking in on me. I appreciate your comments. Nic » reply  Dear Sir, Thank you for your
Canaday Designs -
Friday, May 16, 2008 - 1:38am
Dear Sir, Matt Canaday » reply 28 and counting
visitor -
Saturday, May 17, 2008 - 5:27pm
For a guy who only has 28 years under your belt, you sure do some fine metalwork! I found that there seems to be a natural "curve" to metalworking. In the beginning, you have lots of energy and are invincible and indestructable. Gradually your attitude changes from invincibility toward vulnerability. You also come to discover how easily you can be injured by sound, chemistry and material contact. Hopefully your process will not be too traumatic and your growth curve will be hyperbolic. If you have children, I hope they will acknowledge what you accomplish rather than being so full of themselves that there is little room for you in their minds. Perhaps one will "catch fire" and want to work with you though that is not always necessary to success. I feel enriched by my children and what they have done and are doing with their lives. I enjoy comparing notes as we become friends rather than parents and children. It will be a great life if you persevere in your art. Nic » reply  Welcome Nic, that really is
eligius1427 -
Friday, May 16, 2008 - 5:34pm
Welcome Nic, that really is inspirational. My experience in metalwork is a lot like Matt's, starting year 8 this year and i'm totally absorbed in my shop/work. I've already started wondering if I'd ever be able to retire someday and have days without working, worrying, etc over a project or if i'd just drive everyone nuts. Hopefully I'll my path will be similar to yours. Jake » reply Surprise
visitor -
Saturday, May 17, 2008 - 6:22pm
Dear Jake; As I read through this site and especially these comments to THE LAST IRON MAN, I am blown away by the quality of minds and technical ability herein. It is oh so reassuring and validating to note that metalworkers are not the insensitive clods that the media seems to model when they speak of us. I will now offer a few shots of my house and studio that may be surprising to many visitors. Nic East » reply Hi Nic: After reading your
NELSON -
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 5:57am
Hi Nic: After reading your impressive resume so to speak,it becomes obvious your work experience must have been very rewarding to you, and I am sure that your input on this site will be a very valuable asset. Most of us don`t even dream, and will never manage such a load of work and a "huge" business as you did. Nonetheless,whatever level of artwork each of us may be, the important thing is that we love and enjoy so much what we do! Surely, your advice and experience in the field should be nourishing and of big help to this art family.Personally, I believe many of us would enjoy seeing some representative pics of your work. Welcome and enjoy the site. Best wishes. Nelson. » reply  Bigger is not always better
Nic East -
Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 3:15pm
When I started working in my two-car garage with my steel stored out in the rain and snow in my yard, I never envisioned how far creativity and blood, sweat and not a few tears could take me. I worked hard, charged too little because I was too honest and eventually succeeded in spite of myself. Professional metalwork is not a slam-dunk. Every job has to be personally attended to and we dare not blink an eye lest something goes wrong. What it always comes down to is the integrity and quality of attitude of those who work with you. Always hire the best you can afford. That is not always a dollar decision but one of the pure lust for the fire and hammer. I hired a lot of art students for peanuts and taught them enough so that they could make a good living should they choose to do the deed. They were grateful and in the end we had a "Golden" reputation. There's more: I mean selling, designing, buying the materials, doing the work, installing the work and getting paid enough for the work. Over all is the shadow of creativity and quality control and oh yes good employee and client relations. Yes, I did give cash bonuses at xmas. Yes, I did give discounts for repeat clients. Yes, I even paid for referrals. That's business as I see it. Nic East, Jim Thorpe, PA USA » reply  Hey Nic- Sounds as though
Nathan Logsdon -
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 6:26am
Hey Nic- Sounds as though the muse has been very good to you through the years. Much like Jake and Matt I am in my seventh year full time but have been swingin hammers for about 17 years now. Can't think of a better life, especially with the love of good woman at my side. As to "the insensitive clods" boy they couldn't be more wrong could they? The painter Gauguin was quoted as saying that "Every masterpiece is the result of a martyrdom." Nail- Head -Done » reply Traials and tribulations
Nic East -
Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 3:22pm
Yes Nathan, The muse is still good because I feed her well and care that she is well disposed to my art/craft. It sounds as if you have that "Fire in the loins" that made Haphestus and Faberge succeed. It is that energy that empowers you to greatness. As you say,"with the love of good woman at my side". Read Sommerset Maugham's A MOON AND SIXPENCE which is based loosely upon Gaughan's life. Nic East, Jim Thorpe, PA USA » reply |
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ArtMetal
Work after Retirement
Nice to read. I also know the joy and feeling of retirement after 45 years of active sculpture workings. In my case there are over 1000 results of many media as well as 575 plus paintings now scattered around the globe.
We would love to see photos of some of your works here. It is a fine family of experiences to watch grow. I my case I have relaxed deadlines and only take commissions that will fit into my family, friends and social better comforts. Good luck and welcome. www,artmetal.com/bpfink