In 2013 I invested both coin and considerable time into building a 30 ton hydraulic press for the workshop. The primary reason was to asssist in compacting blooms from my iron smelting work. The immense power of the press suggested other forming possilities, which I started to slowly explore. The raw power needed to be carefully controlled, but could allow for the creation of forms difficult for me to accomplish with simple 'one man power'.

the 'Massive' series required some experiments in tools and forming dies. Heavy solid blocks of steel are deformed and shapped, with sockets created that hold a standard 3/4 decorative candle. Although the results seem simple enough, the real surprise comes when the considerable mass of each is found when they are picked up.

the 'Compacted' series starts with large diameter, steel pipe or structural tube. By controlling the application of temperaure, distorted and wrinkled shapes can be be formed under the press. Ideal as unique containers, or holding pillar candles as seen.

'Structural' is an example of my observations on the techniques and uses of materials from early Art Nouveau forged work. In the late 1800's, new structural materials became widely available. Industrial profiles like U shapped channel and V shaped angle. Of course the artisans of the time would 'explode' the ends of these strong supporting shapes, then forge the many flat segments thus created.
I had been initially approached by someone wanting an even larger floor stand candelabra (who then balked at the cost). I took some of the concepts I had been drafting and created this 'smaller' object.

'Structural' has its three legs each formed from a section of 1 x 1" angle laid inside 1 x 1 1/2" channel, each forged to spread wider (to 2 3/4"). The ends of all these have been cut open and forged into a series of tapered reversal curves (total of five elements, both ends of each leg). The top is formed to contain a 3" diameter pillar candle, the one seen in this image is 10" tall. The total height is 32 inches, with the spread of the legs at roughly 17" a side.

The main elements of this piece were forged as demonstration at the 'Earth, Air Celtic Festival' in 2004. Inspiration for the design came from Viking Age metalwork - in this case the Eagles of O∂in. Completed as a wall mounted candle holder. The finish is a dark green merging to black at the top.

The first of this series of unique pieces was created in 2003 for my display at Canada Blooms. I wanted some way of taking the work I had been doing with natural forms rendered in heavily forged structural shapes and reducing the overall scale. Each is about two feet tall and consists of the metal 'plant' and a natural stone slab base. The main stem of the plant ends in a flared tube, intended to hold a beeswax sheet candle. Each has several leaves or tendrils - employing a number of forming techniques that I have developed. They also feature simple decorative colours in the paint work - subtle colours with highlights. The finished pieces can be used indoors or out - and are both small and stable enough to be moved as your taste suggests.

A number of pieces were created for the Pervan House, located on Lake Rousseau. The building was a large one made of round logs - over 5000 sq. ft. I was originally contacted about providing a large candelabra. Eventually the project was expanded to include a circular stair case plus balcony and stair railings. (The photographs are during the initial installation, so do not sometimes give the full impact of the pieces.)

Although discussions on the project started with the candelabra, it was in fact the last object produced. The requirement was to 'fill' a loft space in a room that was 18 x 35 x 16 ft. high. The central core is made up of a series of 2 1/2" dia heavy steel tubes, forged with flares and twists, about 8 feet tall. Each tube ends in a formed stainless steel shade that covers over the movable quartz-halogen pot light, seven in all. Support for the individual arms was provided by hidden tubes underneath wraps of 1/2" dia rods. The 14 arms branch out on two levels swept out an off centre oval about 10 x 15 ft. The total weight was about 400 lbs.
Not shown in the photograph are the custom glass shades I commissioned to fit into the end loops of each of the arms. These were a conical shape, clear glass distorted to look like melted ice. Each held a 1 1/2" dia pillar candle.

This larger candle holder is in the form of a Menorah - one of several I did over 2000 and 2001. I was interested in the design of ritual ware for the modern Canadian - an offshoot of my work with early medieval artifacts. The intent was to create objects that would fulfill the ritual purpose for a 'High Holiday', but at the same time could perform as a decorative element at other times of the years. This piece uses small diameter tubes to hold the eight candles, which sweep in height from the ends to the centre of the piece. The individual holders are tied together by a ribbon of tapered flat stock formed to sinuous curves. Another Menorah in this series was formed of two separate pieces. Placed apart the exact significance was hidden, but when positioned together the eight candles function for the ritual.