Today we’d like to introduce you to John Rais.
John, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I came to metalworking, and specifically blacksmithing through an educational background in sculpture at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. I remember how captivating the process was, and still is to me. The extreme heat, plasticity and eventual stiffness inherent in the iron forging process. It was the only thing at that time that could hold my attention for 10-12 hours at a time. And perhaps more importantly, it felt like a natural fit with how I wanted to create. The process is a bit like drawing in three dimensions.
It’s very immediate and it allows for some improvisation. The more experience one has with blacksmithing, the better one can be at improvisation. I had no frame of reference for metalwork when I started, growing up in the suburbs of Boston. And I had no startup cash or investment. I started my studio business with $836. in the bank and $34,000. in student loans. It was probably equal parts, hard work, skill, luck and fear of failure that moved my career forward. That, and a need to say something different with my work.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
There are certainly many forms and specific techniques that I love to utilize, however, I find the richest territory for great ideas comes where I can respond to a situation with my work. Whether that situation is a specific room, or place, or a particular theme, I tend to see objects in a place before I make them. I think I find my work is most successful when it simultaneously shares elements of critique and a celebration of something. I think creating art in general is stating an ideal.
When I began my career as a blacksmith, I was well aware of the long historical weight that blacksmithing poses. I wanted to break from that in some way and find a way to make something a bit different than what I felt was the norm. I think part of it came from a need to develop my own voice in this field. I tend to refine my work heavily through the making process. I make and remake parts of a piece. I sand and alter repeatedly until it is exactly what it should be. And often what it should be is even different than what I drew. I used to say I make the objects I wish I could find, but the love of making prevents me from ever finding it, or even knowing what it is.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
Well, I got an accountant in my first year as a studio artist, and have done so ever since. A good accountant will save you money and, the less time spent with tax forms means more time to make art. Art is a life style in that you need to make your career and your life be one. Art is how I live my life. That’s not to say it is the only thing. I need hobbies, and family and friends. It means that making art is the lens with which I navigate through the world. Get used to rejection and negotiation. No artist gets everything she wants all the time. And sometimes some artful negotiation will get you closest to what you wanted to do.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Well, my work shows itself in several ways. I am in several museum collections such as Yale Art Galleries, The Fuller Craft Museum and The John Michael Kohler Art Center. I am also featured in many books. I do still show my work in galleries but currently much less than I used to, mainly because I am so busy with commissions. I’ll be in a group exhibition at the Wayne Art Center in Wayne, PA in December. Of course, people can become more familiar with my work from the website too.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1436 W Lycoming Street Philadelphia, PA 19140
- Website: johnraisstusios.com
- Phone: 570-228-1029
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: johnraisstudios
- Facebook: john rais, also johnraisstudios
Image Credit:
Saltmarsh Fire Screen, D. James Dee
Tonare Table (with lightning bolt) John Polak
Morning Storm (coffee table) John Polak
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
