Jake James, Blacksmith


	Bird Bath	Jake James Blacksmith Studio Location: 780 Winfall Rd. Metchosin, BC Telephone: 250.642.6984 Email Website
	Jake considers himself more a blacksmith than artist as it is the forging process that gives his work its distinctive style. Jake aims for the greatest fluidity in his designs, making use of traditional techniques and skills of his craft to create his unique style and form. He prefers to use the more traditional manual techniques with a hammer to form his pieces, although he will employ fabrication and other forming techniques when necessary. It is the art of hammering hot metal into shape that defines Jake as a blacksmith. Jake forges the metal, which is between 1400 to 2800 degrees Ferenheit, by hammering it either by hand at the anvil, by using a power hammer, or under presses. He uses different tools and dies to create particular shapes, and forge welds pieces together to create unique visual dimension and create flow. Jake gives only basic names to his work, preferring to let each person derive what they will from it. He believes that art is entirely personal and it has to appeal to you at a sensual level.

James studied blacksmithing and metalwork at Hereford College of Technology in England. He obtained several certificates and won numerous awards for his work including Top Student.

In 2002, after completing his blacksmithing apprenticeship under the tutelage of Richard Bent, master blacksmith, Jake travelled to Sri Lanka; Eugene, Oregon; and India to practice his trade.

In 2004 he moved to Vancouver Island with his wife and children and set up his blacksmith business in Metchosin. Much of James’ work is influenced by nature and an organic theme runs through his art.

Jake has appeared on The Daily Show for Shaw digital television and has had several articles published in Sooke News Mirror, Goldstream Gazette, North Island Star, The Times Colonist and the Vancouver Sun.

As well as producing pieces for show, Jake works on commission pieces. He also trains apprentices, demonstrates his skill at conferences and teaches classes.

Jake's art can

be seen at:

Sooke Harbour House

The Rave'N'Iron

Jake Grant Jewellry

Side Street Studio

JAKE JAMES

BLACKSMITH