Composite
About the Artist: Terry Gill
Profile
Design Process
My sculpture and furniture designs are inspired by nature and incorporate natural materials. All of my works begin as solid pieces of carbon, stainless or chrome alloy steel. I start by heating my piece in a forge. Rough shaping takes place with a hammer and anvil. I complete sculptures with a variety of grinding techniques and heliarc welding processes. Coloring comes naturally from the heat of the tools. I sometimes use a torch for additional colors.

My custom furniture is welded with only the heliarc process and finished with acid coloring or powder coating. Table tops are made to order from finished wood or hand picked granite. I have my granite cut only by the finest stone cutters.

My animal sculptures represent actual species of birds, whales and fish. I have noticed that as the sculptures progress, they come alive in my hands. I want you to experience the same in holding them, which is why they are free standing or removable from their mounts.

Hold one of my sculptured pieces; it won't want to be put down.

Background Bio
After serving my country in the Marine Corps for four years, I started an apprenticeship in the metal trades at the age of twenty-one. From the first time I picked up an acetylene torch I knew this is what I would do for the rest of my life. Over the years, I have welded in nuclear and conventional power plants around the country. I am expert in all welding processes and have worked with aluminum, stainless steel, copper and many of the more exotic metals. I prefer the tungsten inert gas (TIG) process because of its purity and versatility.

As rewarding, and challenging as it has been throughout my career, I knew I wanted to do something more. It has always been a dream of mine to follow a particular passion; not just working with metal, I wanted to create with it.

Thank you, Terry Gill