Chris started
creating early in life. He grew up in Massachusetts and fell
in love with metalsmithing while watching the local blacksmiths at work.
"Many
years ago, the desire to recreate some of what I had watched being
hammered out was overwhelming, and with the help of a 55 gallon drum,
fire brick, and a hairdryer, my career in metalsmithing was launched.
I felt something was missing, however."
Chris found the missing link when
he started taking jewelry making classes. He felt very at home
with jewelry scale items. After becoming a full time student
he began an apprenticeship under a master goldsmith and stone setter
which continues today.
" I love exploring new techniques and
materials, and especially love to push the envelope of current and
accepted techniques. Challenges always seem to lead down long roads even
after they have been met, and spawn many future ideas and designs for
me. Impossible is only a temporary condition. My favorite materials are
gold and meteorite, both the stony and metal kind.
I’ve always felt that nature is
beautiful. In order to have greater appreciation for the beauty of
nature, it is important for me to examine the man made objects that
surround us. I’ve long felt that without precise geometric shapes,
some organic beauty would be lost.
I love both heavily engineered structures
and naturally occurring themes. My favorite pieces are those that blend
constructed elements with organic textures, shapes, or designs. It has
always fascinated me that taking the time to look closely at nature can
yield much natural symmetry.
It’s this symbiotic relationship that I
seek to explore in my work. I love to create objects that blur the edge
between nature and constructed items.
My inspirations include nature, order,
humor and all art. A healthy dose of old sci-fi movies and creature
films just help to keep everything interesting."
Workshops
and classes
School
For Professional Crafts ~ Worcester, MA
Valentin
Yotkov ~ Chasing, Repoussé and
Bruce
Paul Fink ~ Large Scale Casting
Neal
Rosenblum ~ Lost Wax Casting
Cynthia
Toops ~ Fimo
Gail
Crossman-Moore ~ Lamp work Bead Making
Sherry
Robinson ~ Lapidary
Teaching
Experience
Horizons
Center For Crafts
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