I started Aspen Ironworks, an eco-friendly metal art studio 15 years ago because I wanted to work for myself & focus more on my art pieces. I work in two main areas - a studio/workshop on the back of my property and under a large oak tree overlooking the horses. I use the oak tree forge when the weather is too nice to stay indoors. I use a handmade forge, several pairs of tongs handed down from my grandfather to father and then to me, and two anvils - a 200 pound workshop anvil and an 80 pound vintage farrier anvil which I can transport if I need to.
I started out with individuals cowboys made from leftover rebar and quickly graduated to western scenes. I thought about what does a cowboy do? A cowboy’s life is simple. Cowboys rope, they ride, and they drink. My western pieces reflect this lifestyle. I do bar scenes, I do rodeo scenes and I do cattle drive scenes.
