Contact us by email info@essentialiron.com
All images copyright 2009-2019 Essential Iron. All rights reserved worldwide.
Appalachian Forge and my studio/workshop are located west of Hendersonville in the mountains of
Western North Carolina. It is an area rich with Appalachian tradition and craftsmanship. Along with
the smithy and metal art, the shop is fitted for general welding, fabrication and repair. In my work, I
get to use old-world techniques and modern technology to achieve the results I require. My anvil
was forged by Mouse Hole Forge of Sheffield, England in the late 1700’s and a blacksmith from that
era could step into my forge, find familiar tools and begin working. At the other extreme, my
Thermal Dynamics plasma cutter turns an electric arch into a precise shaft of superheated plasma
which cuts through steel like butter. While the new “toys” of the trade are fun and efficient, I prefer
working with my hammer. When I hear my anvil ring, I’m connected with centuries of tradition.
Currently the forge and shop are not open to the public.
Western North Carolina. It is an area rich with Appalachian tradition and craftsmanship. Along with
the smithy and metal art, the shop is fitted for general welding, fabrication and repair. In my work, I
get to use old-world techniques and modern technology to achieve the results I require. My anvil
was forged by Mouse Hole Forge of Sheffield, England in the late 1700’s and a blacksmith from that
era could step into my forge, find familiar tools and begin working. At the other extreme, my
Thermal Dynamics plasma cutter turns an electric arch into a precise shaft of superheated plasma
which cuts through steel like butter. While the new “toys” of the trade are fun and efficient, I prefer
working with my hammer. When I hear my anvil ring, I’m connected with centuries of tradition.
Currently the forge and shop are not open to the public.
My path to artistic ironwork has been a winding one, interrupted by college degrees and “real” jobs which were as important to
the process as any other stop along the way. I stumbled onto this path as a child in my father’s workshop. The trail has been full
of side paths demanding to be explored, each leaving their impression on the journey. Our family has its share of artists, so old
pieces on the shelves were as common as easels, canvas and oils during my childhood. Yes..., looking back I was bound to
follow this path, and I can’t imagine it any other way. For a great deal the journey, I’ve been blessed to have the companionship
of my best friend, my wife. She has encouraged me to explore the side paths and choose new directions. I love what I do and
knowing this is a lifelong journey were anything could be around the next curve.
the process as any other stop along the way. I stumbled onto this path as a child in my father’s workshop. The trail has been full
of side paths demanding to be explored, each leaving their impression on the journey. Our family has its share of artists, so old
pieces on the shelves were as common as easels, canvas and oils during my childhood. Yes..., looking back I was bound to
follow this path, and I can’t imagine it any other way. For a great deal the journey, I’ve been blessed to have the companionship
of my best friend, my wife. She has encouraged me to explore the side paths and choose new directions. I love what I do and
knowing this is a lifelong journey were anything could be around the next curve.
The Tools
The Artist John Arnold
The Art
What draws me to metal is its ability to transform. The techniques I use in my work span centuries and
examples of forged metals date to before 1350 BC. I have a deep respect for the tradition of metalwork.
Blacksmiths were the engineers and innovators of their time, artists who blended form and function from the
natural elements available to them. I am drawn to the organic lines and shapes of nature and, in my
traditional pieces, I am influenced by the work of the old European masters. Currently, much of my time is
spent developing these organic elements. Metal’s qualities of texture, color, light and shadow lend themselves
to capturing these elements in three dimensions. My contemporary work tends to extremes. One minimal,
using as few elements as possible to engage and convey a moment, allowing the observer’s own experiences
to guide their interpretation. The other, complex and precise, attempting to draw the viewer into the pattern. The process of
creating a fluid form from a cold, hard raw material is always satisfying.
My work is labor intensive and permanent, standing in stark contrast with the current culture of disposable mass-production. I
view my work as a continuation of a high tradition and strive for quality and beauty worthy of that artistic history.
examples of forged metals date to before 1350 BC. I have a deep respect for the tradition of metalwork.
Blacksmiths were the engineers and innovators of their time, artists who blended form and function from the
natural elements available to them. I am drawn to the organic lines and shapes of nature and, in my
traditional pieces, I am influenced by the work of the old European masters. Currently, much of my time is
spent developing these organic elements. Metal’s qualities of texture, color, light and shadow lend themselves
to capturing these elements in three dimensions. My contemporary work tends to extremes. One minimal,
using as few elements as possible to engage and convey a moment, allowing the observer’s own experiences
to guide their interpretation. The other, complex and precise, attempting to draw the viewer into the pattern. The process of
creating a fluid form from a cold, hard raw material is always satisfying.
My work is labor intensive and permanent, standing in stark contrast with the current culture of disposable mass-production. I
view my work as a continuation of a high tradition and strive for quality and beauty worthy of that artistic history.
Artist’s Statement
Shows and Awards
The Arts Council of Henderson County’s “Bring Us Your Best X” Juried Exhibit, August 15th through 30th, 2013. ~ Artist’s Choice
Award - Awarded by vote of exhibiting artists ~ 1st Place - Three Dimensional Art
Award - Awarded by vote of exhibiting artists ~ 1st Place - Three Dimensional Art
The Arts Council of Henderson County’s “Bring Us Your Best XI” Juried Exhibit, August 11th through 29th, 2014. ~ Artist’s Choice
Award - Awarded by vote of exhibiting artists ~ Honorable Mention - Three Dimensional Art
Award - Awarded by vote of exhibiting artists ~ Honorable Mention - Three Dimensional Art
Contact us by email info@essentialiron.com
All images copyright 2009-2019 Essential Iron.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Appalachian Forge and my
studio/workshop are located
west of Hendersonville in the
mountains of Western North
Carolina. It is an area rich with
Appalachian tradition and
craftsmanship. Along with the
smithy and metal art, the shop is fitted for general welding,
fabrication and repair. In my work, I get to use old-world
techniques and modern technology to achieve the results I
require. My anvil was forged by Mouse Hole Forge of
Sheffield, England in the late 1700’s and a blacksmith from
that era could step into my forge, find familiar tools and
begin working. At the other extreme, my Thermal Dynamics
plasma cutter turns an electric arch into a precise shaft of
superheated plasma which cuts through steel like butter.
While the new “toys” of the trade are fun and efficient, I
prefer working with my hammer. When I hear my anvil ring,
I’m connected with centuries of tradition.
Currently the forge and shop are not open to the public.
studio/workshop are located
west of Hendersonville in the
mountains of Western North
Carolina. It is an area rich with
Appalachian tradition and
craftsmanship. Along with the
smithy and metal art, the shop is fitted for general welding,
fabrication and repair. In my work, I get to use old-world
techniques and modern technology to achieve the results I
require. My anvil was forged by Mouse Hole Forge of
Sheffield, England in the late 1700’s and a blacksmith from
that era could step into my forge, find familiar tools and
begin working. At the other extreme, my Thermal Dynamics
plasma cutter turns an electric arch into a precise shaft of
superheated plasma which cuts through steel like butter.
While the new “toys” of the trade are fun and efficient, I
prefer working with my hammer. When I hear my anvil ring,
I’m connected with centuries of tradition.
Currently the forge and shop are not open to the public.
My path to artistic ironwork has been
a winding one, interrupted by college
degrees and “real” jobs which were
as important to the process as any
other stop along the way. I stumbled
onto this path as a child in my
father’s workshop. The trail has been full of side paths
demanding to be explored, each leaving their impression on
the journey. Our family has its share of artists, so old pieces
on the shelves were as common as easels, canvas and oils
during my childhood. Yes..., looking back I was bound to
follow this path, and I can’t imagine it any other way. For a
great deal the journey, I’ve been blessed to have the
companionship of my best friend, my wife. She has
encouraged me to explore the side paths and choose new
directions. I love what I do and knowing this is a lifelong
journey were anything could be around the next curve.
a winding one, interrupted by college
degrees and “real” jobs which were
as important to the process as any
other stop along the way. I stumbled
onto this path as a child in my
father’s workshop. The trail has been full of side paths
demanding to be explored, each leaving their impression on
the journey. Our family has its share of artists, so old pieces
on the shelves were as common as easels, canvas and oils
during my childhood. Yes..., looking back I was bound to
follow this path, and I can’t imagine it any other way. For a
great deal the journey, I’ve been blessed to have the
companionship of my best friend, my wife. She has
encouraged me to explore the side paths and choose new
directions. I love what I do and knowing this is a lifelong
journey were anything could be around the next curve.
The Tools
The Artist John Arnold
The Art
What draws me to metal is its ability to
transform. The techniques I use in my
work span centuries and examples of
forged metals date to before 1350 BC. I
have a deep respect for the tradition of
metalwork. Blacksmiths were the
engineers and innovators of their time,
artists who blended form and function from the natural
elements available to them. I am drawn to the organic lines
and shapes of nature and, in my traditional pieces, I am
influenced by the work of the old European masters.
Currently, much of my time is spent developing these
organic elements. Metal’s qualities of texture, color, light and
shadow lend themselves to capturing these elements in
three dimensions. My contemporary work tends to extremes.
One minimal, using as few elements as possible to engage
and convey a moment, allowing the observer’s own
experiences to guide their interpretation. The other, complex
and precise, attempting to draw the viewer into the pattern.
The process of creating a fluid form from a cold, hard raw
material is always satisfying.
My work is labor intensive and permanent, standing in stark
contrast with the current culture of disposable mass-
production. I view my work as a continuation of a high
tradition and strive for quality and beauty worthy of that
artistic history.
transform. The techniques I use in my
work span centuries and examples of
forged metals date to before 1350 BC. I
have a deep respect for the tradition of
metalwork. Blacksmiths were the
engineers and innovators of their time,
artists who blended form and function from the natural
elements available to them. I am drawn to the organic lines
and shapes of nature and, in my traditional pieces, I am
influenced by the work of the old European masters.
Currently, much of my time is spent developing these
organic elements. Metal’s qualities of texture, color, light and
shadow lend themselves to capturing these elements in
three dimensions. My contemporary work tends to extremes.
One minimal, using as few elements as possible to engage
and convey a moment, allowing the observer’s own
experiences to guide their interpretation. The other, complex
and precise, attempting to draw the viewer into the pattern.
The process of creating a fluid form from a cold, hard raw
material is always satisfying.
My work is labor intensive and permanent, standing in stark
contrast with the current culture of disposable mass-
production. I view my work as a continuation of a high
tradition and strive for quality and beauty worthy of that
artistic history.
Artist’s Statement
Shows and Awards
The Arts Council of Henderson County’s “Bring Us Your
Best X” Juried Exhibit, August 15th through 30th, 2013.
~ Artist’s Choice Award - Awarded by vote of exhibiting
artists ~ 1st Place - Three Dimensional Art
Best X” Juried Exhibit, August 15th through 30th, 2013.
~ Artist’s Choice Award - Awarded by vote of exhibiting
artists ~ 1st Place - Three Dimensional Art
The Arts Council of Henderson County’s “Bring Us Your
Best XI” Juried Exhibit, August 11th through 29th, 2014.
~ Artist’s Choice Award - Awarded by vote of exhibiting
artists ~ Honorable Mention - Three Dimensional Art
Best XI” Juried Exhibit, August 11th through 29th, 2014.
~ Artist’s Choice Award - Awarded by vote of exhibiting
artists ~ Honorable Mention - Three Dimensional Art