David Smith

Spider 52 - Friday, July 11, 2008 - 9:37am

Hi Everybody,
I am new to ArtMetalso just trying out new things to do like a blog. Do many of you know of metal artist David Smith, I can across a book about him with lots of photo's and drawings of his work. I was so impressed with his metal working abilities in mild and stainless steel, his colouring on sections of metal has got to be seen to believed, the depth of colour is inspirational. He describes the process of doing a couple of coats of white paint before applying the top colour coats.
That's all for now, feeling very tried from the last two days helping building a large shed on a 200 acea share property one hour drive north of Perth, just love being there, no power or water yet but we are working on it.
Cheers Michael.

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Hello Michael, It's nice to

Jamie Santellano - Friday, July 11, 2008 - 10:45am

Hello Michael,

It's nice to see you here. I've been here just over 2 months now, and having a good time! Please post some images of your work, so we can see your creations. It's great to see all the different things that others come up with in this medium. There's always something new to learn.

I've never heard of David Smith, but I'll have to check out his work. Does he have a website?

Keep posting!

Cheers,

Jamie Santellano

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I'm not sure if David Smith

QuiQue - Friday, July 11, 2008 - 3:32pm

I'm not sure if David Smith is still alive. He was involved in the modern movement and is a talented metal worker. He, unlike Picasso, is actually a metalworker. I entered his name in Google and clicked on images and got some good photos of his work.

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Cool! Thanks for sharing

Jamie Santellano - Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 7:44am

Cool! Thanks for sharing that...he's got quite the imagination!

Cheers,

Jamie Santellano

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David

Nic East - Sunday, July 13, 2008 - 6:43am

Back in the early 1960's we used to call David the "Boulten Vulcan" because he lived in Boulten Landing, NY. David loved life as much as sculpting and immersed himself deeply in all visceral aspects of his lifestyle. Unfortunately, he would drive while under the influence of great amounts of alcoholic beverages and thereby met his maker.

It was a great loss to the Art World and metalsmithing in particular when he died and many still grieve for his loss.

Nic East, Jim Thorpe, PA USA
Creativity begins with a novel thought.

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David Smith

Spider 52 - Friday, July 25, 2008 - 9:54am

Hi Nic,
Did you ever meet with David as you sound like you know more about him than most. His work has had a great impression on me and his words have helped me move foreward when felt like giving up.
regards Michael.

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David Smith More Infro

Spider 52 - Sunday, July 13, 2008 - 5:54am

Interesting that the last image posted by QuiQue is called "Australia",steel,1951. I wounder if David had visited downunder before he made that piece. Unfortunately he had a tragic car accident that resulted in his death in May 1965. After reading the book "David Smith by David Smith" put together by Cleve Gray, I was so impressed by what I read and images of his works that changed and influenced my own work. I have never seen so many works that grabbed my attention so quickly and his works of wisdom helped me find my own direction. This man was way ahead of his time in his ideas and abilities ,I can almost see him working the grinder to make patterns on his stainless steel sculpture, something that only the very experienced person could do and I realized how many hours he had spent using this tool as a welder in a locomotive factory. I was able to draw some parralles between his life and my own and this touched me in a very moving way that I will not forget.
He is my mentor.
Cheers For Now Michael.

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smith

jason hutcherson - Friday, July 18, 2008 - 12:45am

michael

david smith is considered the father of modern welded metal sculpture. he was the first to use arc-welding as a "fine art" technique. you should check out the david smith estate website and read the speech he gave at the university of ohio, a school he flunked out of in his younger years. he makes some excellent points about the sort of people out there sculpting.
j

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David Smith....pure inspiration....

SteelyJan - Sunday, July 20, 2008 - 7:32am

I'm so glad you found David Smith....one of our larger then life metalworkers.....his work is quite famous and he's had many shows here in NY at the larger museums. It's really important to see the work of our peers. Check out :(some of my favorites) Chillida, Gonzales, (who did alot of welding for Picasso) Mark DeSuevero, Albert Paley, oh God...I can't think!
Also at the time I was building my steel and work horse Deborah Butterfield was building horses out of twigs and mud.
Then she discovered steel and builds the most amazing steel horses. there are many others but I'm in a brain freeze!
Hope you check it out . Janet R.

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David Smith

Spider 52 - Friday, July 25, 2008 - 9:39am

Good To hear From you Janet'
I have already checked out Gonzales very impressive, Albert Paley has visited my home town of Perth twice so far and had him as my mentor at first but after reading the book DS (David Smith) by DS, I was so moved and could draw parallels with his life to my own, he is my main mentor now. I just find it hard to believe he past away some time ago as his work is to use your words "pure inspiration".
Check out Anthomy Gormley a British sculptor who did a installation at Lake Ballard in Western Australia with 54 figures in a remote salt lake. Have visited this site myself a few times now and is always has different modes with each visit.Will post some photo's soon of these.
Warm Regards Michael.

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You have inspired me to buy

Kimberli Matin - Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - 4:39pm

You have inspired me to buy his book. I really like what he said in his Ohio U speech. I love the pieces I have seen of his! Including this one.....David Smith 1934

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David Smith

Spider 52 - Friday, July 25, 2008 - 9:48am

Jason,
I read the website you suggested and it sounded like what was in his book. His words have given me hope to be myself and not do the art-speak as David appeared to have no time for people like that, just be yourself !! His work is the most impressive I have seen so far that moved me to carry on to find my own style and be proud.
Having a go Michael.

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when i wrote my masters

jason hutcherson - Monday, July 28, 2008 - 6:31pm

when i wrote my masters thesis i used david smith as an example of who i wanted to be like when i grow up. i teach art so i have to know how to do the art-speak, but i get more from an hour in the studio than a week in the classroom. like you i'm working on style but i get better all the time.

by the way those air cannons are very sexy! congrats

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Hello Jason

Spider 52 - Saturday, August 2, 2008 - 8:35am

Keep working on your own style and this too will change and develop with age just like a good red wine.
What really impressed me about David Smith was his questioning of the established art world and his belief in himself to continue to explore his artist talents.
I do the air cannons to earn a living however at the same time I can see it is industrial art to look just right.
My title at my work is sales technician for bulk material handling but I do enjoy working with other men to make it all happen in a short time, exhusting but rewarding upon seeing the finished project.

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