Interview 16: Joe with Metal Art Dude's Metal Shop

You know what today is?  It's time for another interview with an Etsy seller.  But today really isn't just another interview. It's an interview with Joe with Metal Art Dude's Metal Shop, and he's awesome, but it's also the last interview on The Curious Crow...at least for now.  Now instead of filling Tuesday's with fantabulous interviews with even more fantabulous sellers, I'll just be posting a bunch of drivel about who knows what.  

Rusty the Springer Sculpture

But now let's get on with the interview.  

Who are you and what do you do?

I'm the great and powerful welder of OZ. Really, I go by Joe and metalartdude. I create sculpture from scrap metal and also make clocks from old hubcaps.

Why do you do what you do?

I got a welder as a present one year, what else was I supposed to do? Fix broken things? Start a welding shop? Oh, wait I do that also. I remember art classes as being one of my favorites growing up. I started college as an engineer but ended up doing something a little more creative, the degree no one heard of Industrial Design. I really enjoy making things with my hands using, wood, metal, bread, or plant material. I don't have a good explanation for what I do with the metal, I see things in the pieces and make different sculpture. I like to make faces that remind me of the false face images and masks that I saw growing up in western New York.

Holstein Cow Head Sculpture

How long have you been doing it? (Your craft/trade, not doing IT)

Actually I did IT for about 5-6 years and hated it, Information Technology, totally draining creatively. Then I worked in Architecture, that was the best job. Well the art business is great but the pay could be better. I've been welding and creating different metal art for about 15 years or so. Before that I painted cows with acrylic paints, which was enjoyable but metal art sculpture was so much easier for me, it flows, the process ,and the creation. Plus I get to drive around and dumpster dive at auto repair shops, pick up metal on the street, and go to junkyards, can't beat that. I've been making clocks from hubcaps for about 1 year.

Spark Plug Guy

Who do you think would win in a fist fight, Betty White or Angelina Jolie?

Angelina Jolie, but I would want Betty White to win.

What is your motto in life?

Just hit the gas and get out of the way. Plus it's fun to go fast!

1957 Olds Hubcap Clock

What's your favorite knock-knock joke?

Knock, knock! Who's there? Interrupting Cow. Interrupting Cow wh....Mooooooo!

It's my daughter's favorite and she tells me the joke all the time.

What's your least favorite word or phrase?

"My Bad" Arrrrrrrrrrrghhh, I hate that. Just say "I'm a dumbass, I f'ed up, sorry I'm such a stupid person I can't even say, Sorry."

Gnarly Dude

Thank you, Joe, for such a great interview.  I think it was a perfect ending to the interviews.  Now, go over to Metal Art Dude's Metal Shop and buy, buy, buy.  Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat.  

Be Happy,

Rachel