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Foldforming Central Member Spotlight: February 2016
Foldforming Central is a friendly and supportive group of metals artists around the globe interested in foldforming techniques. Its home is on Facebook in a closed group environment where members can ask questions, assist fellow metal artists, and share work with each other. Occasionally, the work of Foldforming Central members will be featured under Resources / Community as a Member Spotlight on www.foldforming.org. This is one such profile. |
Pat Downing, San Diego, CA, U.S.
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Pat Downing, San Diego, CA, U.S.
Contemporary artist, blacksmith, and instructor Pat Downing is a 21st century blacksmith using both modern and old world techniques to create an organic, playful body of work. Quite a few of his pieces are made with foldforming techniques. Like many metal artists, Pat often works in copper and mild steel using the tools of a metalsmith. It is especially interesting, however, to see Pat's work in 1/16 - 3/16" thick mild steel or 1/8" copper using tools of the blacksmith. This heavy material must be shaped with hammer blows in a blacksmith's forge up to 1800 degrees, then pried open while still hot -- an uncommon art in today's world, performed beautifully by Pat Downing. Look for Pat if you happen to tour Old Town State Park in San Diego. He is a resident blacksmith in that popular tourist spot, which is a live recreation of the 1850's town known as the birthplace of California. Otherwise, check him out at www.patdowning.com. |
GALLERY
Heavy gauge pieces worked hot in the blacksmith's forge
Heavy gauge pieces worked hot in the blacksmith's forge
Squid and horseshoe crabs made with line folds in mild steel worked hot by Pat Downing, www.patdowning.com
Fabric style bowl in 1/8" copper and mild steel worked hot by Pat Downing, www.patdowning.com
This Rueger fold by Pat Downing is about 12 in high; made from heavy 1/8” copper, forged hot. www.patdowning.com
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Bowl with lid by Pat Downing; mild steel line fold with 23ct gold leaf, worked hot. www.patdowning.com
Instruction Pat Downing teaches hands-on foldforming techniques that apply to work of any size, from jewelry and small sculptures to large public art. Students learn to work with copper in class and can adapt those skills to work in nearly any metal. Topics include how to “soften” the edges of a piece, planish or blend folds into a finished piece, use various cold connection methods, and apply texturing and patina. Teaching venues include Adam’s Forge, Metal Arts Society of Southern California at CSU Long Beach, FE Gallery, and private classes throughout California. Contact Pat for details at www.patdowning.com. 
Foldformed sculpture in heavy 1/8" copper forged hot by Pat Downing; about 12 in wide. www.patdowning.com
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Lighter gauge pieces and traditional metalsmithing techniques
See this large commissioned sculpture by Pat Downing at the Westfield UTC Mall in San Diego, CA, U.S. Copper, steel, patina www.patdowning.com
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This short video shows Pat Downing working on the sculpture (left) destined for Westfield UTC Mall in San Diego, CA, U.S.
These foldformed spectacles are worn as a whimsical belt buckle. Copper and mild steel, by Pat Downing at www.patdowning.com
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Perfect Union - A perspective piece
Made with two 10 ft x 16 in sheets of copper, this foldformed sculpture is the first one Pat worked on with a partner -- his son, Tim Downing. Pat says, "Like all unions or relationships, you have to put in a certain amount of effort to make it work. Perfect Union is no different. At first you find two individual sculptures, each unique unto itself. But with a little effort, a single heart begins to take shape and the two sculptures become the perfect union." |
Small sculpture by Pat Downing, 8" high in 20 gauge copper with patina, www.patdowning.com
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