What makes your approach to craft sculpture different from someone who just does standard metal or wood art?

When people ask me what sets my approach to craft sculpture apart from someone who simply works with metal or wood, I usually start by talking about process—but it’s deeper than that. Standard metal or wood art often celebrates the material itself: the grain of the wood, the gleam of polished steel. My approach, however, treats the material as a partner in storytelling. I don’t just shape wood or weld metal; I blend them with unexpected elements like reclaimed textiles, hand-dyed fibers, or even fragments of discarded objects.

For me, sculpture isn’t just about form—it’s about narrative. A standard metal artist might create a sleek abstract shape, while a woodworker might carve a lifelike figure. I ask questions like: What story does this piece of salvaged oak carry? How can cold steel soften when wrapped in hand-spun wool? My pieces often reflect a tension between the industrial and the organic, the permanent and the fragile. This mixed-media approach allows me to evoke emotion in ways that traditional single-material works rarely do.

Another difference lies in the philosophy of imperfection. Many metal and wood artists strive for flawless surfaces—smooth, polished, symmetrical. I embrace the raw, the patina, the flaws. A rusted bolt might become an eye, a cracked branch a spine. This isn’t laziness; it’s a deliberate choice to honor the material’s history. My sculptures don’t just look interesting—they feel alive because they carry traces of their previous lives.

Finally, my practice is deeply sustainable. While conventional artists often use newly sourced lumber or virgin metal, I prioritize reclaimed, recycled, or foraged materials. Every piece I create is a quiet protest against waste. So, when you see my work, you’re not just looking at an object—you’re witnessing a conversation between human hands, nature, and time. That’s what makes my craft sculpture fundamentally different: it’s never just about the material; it’s about the meaning embedded within.