Creative Friends & Influences: Andy Parent

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One of the greatest things I enjoy as a professional woodworker and remodeling contractor, are the connections that I have with other artisans and craftsmen. By surrounding myself with other artists, it constantly challenges and expands my creative vision. Among those is a good friend and metal working talent, Andy Parent. Andy's unique vision for metal work has greatly influenced my own ideas for design. 

Andy Parent on the King's Throne

Andy's metal working business, Iron Ox Inc, is located just down the street a couple blocks from my own shop. With his shop being so close, we see each other on a pretty regular basis, and the conversations we have are very stimulating as the sparks of creativity fly.

Andy showing a fireplace screen he is manufacturing for a client

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to collaborate on some projects with Andy, and we often call on each other to hash out design ideas or to gain a different perspective from a fresh set of eyes.

A design session with Andy Parent of Iron Ox Inc.

Andy has a great balance of technical ability for working metal and artistic madness. If you met him personally, within the first few minutes you would understand the artistic madness comment, but this picture of him with Poseidon's Trident might give you a glimpse.

Andy displays Poseidon's Trident made for a charity auction fundraising event.

To get another look at Andy, his nephew has produced this video as part of his college cinematography course. "The Moments We Steel" by Jared West.

Andy has had a positive and energizing effect on myself as an artist and craftsman. You can check out some of his work at his Iron Ox Inc USA site.

To stay energized as an artist, make friends with other artists. It really keeps the mojo flowing.

Your friend in the shop,

Todd A. Clippinger

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Mira Nakashima Profile Video

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One of the great things about having so many woodworking friends online, is that a lot of great finds get funneled down and come to my attention. Many are things I might never have found on my own. One of the great finds came today via good friend and fellow craftsman Phil Mckinnish. 

BlouinArtInfo.com has done a nice video with Mira Nakashima. She shares some of the Nakashima philosophy, her father's work, influence, and what she is doing today. 

I am unable to embed the video here at my site so CLICK HERE to enjoy the video over at BlouinArtInfo.

Thanks for finding and sharing Phil! 

That is all for now. 

Your friend in the shop, 

Todd A. Clippinger

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Check out BlouinArtInfo.com for Mira Nakashima video

Check out BlouinArtInfo.com for Mira Nakashima video

Tips for Designing & Finding Inspiration

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In this video I share the habits I have that allow me to keep finding inspiration, recording those ideas, and developing the designs. For an example, I share how I turned a Japanese torii gate into a stairwell barrier, bucking the standard design of newell posts, balusters, and handrail. 

While the subject of designing can get pretty deep, and pretty ridiculous when people want to sound like an exclusive high-end artist, the things I share are simple and down to earth. I share the habits that I have in my daily life, how I look at things, and process them into a project design. This video is just chock full of gold nuggets!

I hope you find this video helpful, inspirational, and that it motivates you into action. Because in the end, it really comes down to DOING - so get out there and be creative!

A special thanks to my friends for being a part of the video. 

Your friend in the shop-

Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love-Share the Knowledge