Make Art: Bobby Petty, Artist at Home
Bobby Petty is the welding teacher in Pulaski County High School’s Career and Technical Education program and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Fine Arts Center.
The art I most like to make involves metal. I am a welder, welding teacher, and a welding inspector. I usually create works from scrap pieces of steel or aluminum that would be otherwise recycled. I sometimes use new material; it depends upon when and how inspiration strikes and the availability of scrap at a given time. The art in this gallery is metal, however, it is not welded. This art form is ancient and I have up to this point only used new material. I am new to the art of forging, or blacksmithing, as it is sometimes called. My welded art ideas are usually original , but I have yet to create an entirely original work through forging.
Blacksmiths are an interesting group, and most are more than happy to share ideas and projects and even teach others how to make them. With that being said, it is way harder than it looks! I watch very talented blacksmiths on YouTube and they make it look easy. I have some talented friends, as well, who are far more skilled than I and who very graciously allow me to work in their shops and learn from them. I am in the process of gathering tools and equipment to make my own shop.
The gallery has three recent works. All three projects are easily found on the Internet with tutorials on how to create them. The nuzzling horses piece is made from a used horseshoe that would serve little purpose other than art or recycling. The idea was not my own, but shared with me by a friend. The other two items are bottle openers. The wizard head bottle opener is a popular project and almost a rite-of-passage for smiths who make bottle openers. I have made a few of these, but have given away the best examples to friends. Hey, part of the fun is sharing one's art with those who appreciate it! The skull bottle opener is the most recent creation. I saw a skull keychain that someone shared on a Facebook page, and approached my friend whose shop I work in most often about doing a skull bottle opener. I am pretty pleased with the results of these three works , but there is always room for improvement.
This type of art is important to me in that I am having to work really hard with an old concept with a mixture of old and new tools and methods to create something that makes me happy and that I want to share. I have only uncovered the tip of the iceberg, but I have already met some wonderful folks who are eager to share knowledge and tools. There really is a community atmosphere in forging and my friends and I are exploring the idea of expanding that community in this area. Art is many things and can be done in many media, but this one particular medium is a process that began as a necessity and has been passed down through the ages. The village smith was a key figure in frontier life, as he had skills to make things which most folks needed, but had no means to produce. As far as I know, blacksmithing is mainly used as an art form today, with the exception of the farrier who makes his own horseshoes. Who knows? With the way history tends to repeat itself, these skills may become a necessity again ( I certainly hope not). Until then, I'm happy to make art.
I would suggest to those who want to make art at home to just do it. Step out of your comfort zone and try. If it doesn't come out the way you planned, it is still art. There are fine examples online of the projects I am sharing. Mine are not so fine, but they are still art. I will have these things and more to show my progression as I become more knowledgeable and skilled. If I never get to master level, it is still art. Art, in my humble opinion, is about self-expression. I need not please anyone other than myself. If others appreciate, that's fine. If not, that is fine as well. To create art with the forging process at home is quite a job. If you’re interested in forging, I would suggest to contact an established blacksmith or look for a group that teaches to help you get started.