Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Ulrich.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I make metal and wood furniture. I came to it, as a whole, late in life. I’m a recovering engineer. After 25 years as an engineer, I felt I needed to find something else to do with my life. I had a few underwhelming attempts in my quest to find something including training dogs but nothing truly piqued my interest. Luckily, I have a loving and supportive wife and she suggested I take a few classes to feed my mind and see what happens.
I have always been curious about metal work. My father was a cabinetmaker, so woodworking has always been a part of my life. Not everything can/should be made out of wood so I decided to follow my curiosity and learn about metal. I started by taking a few evening classes to learn the basics of welding. From that class I then started buying equipment and developing metalworking skills. Practice. Practice. Practice. Over time, my skills improved and I started making things. Being a recovering engineer, I lean towards functional pieces. I started integrating wood with the metal and making furniture pieces.
Rather than following my “passion”, I follow my curiosity. My styles are fluid and change as my techniques change and as I learn new skills.
Please tell us about your art.
I make furniture and furnishings with an emphasis on function. My materials of choice are metal and wood. I am influenced by the mid-century modern and modern designs. It’s not unusual to take my inspiration from designs that are commonly (and easily) made out of wood but translate it to metal. My personal spin is to juxtapose the industrial metal with the warming wood tones.
I enjoy working materials in ways that are not typical such as sweeping curves made out of metal. The curves of my designs are sensuous and it is my intention to have people look and touch.
I’m always learning and searching. Many of my designs start as a learning experiment, i.e., “can I …?” I use it to learn and develop a new skill or technique (computer design, drawing, welding, shaping, etc.)
I have an idea sketch book that is never far away. I sketch ideas. Riffs. Concepts. Techniques. I keep on sketching until I have refined the idea to a point that it is ready to put the design into the computer with details. When possible, the designs are finalized on the computer as a full 3D model. With the roadmap in hand, the piece is started.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Innovate. Learn. Practice.
Innovate new ideas.
Learn new techniques.
Practice until you have mastered the technique.
Repeat.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I have a showroom located just off of Heights Blvd. where my pieces are permanently on display. It’s a great place to meet with potential clients to show my present inventory and to discuss potential commissions.
I also show my pieces at monthly art markets such as the First Saturday Art Market and The Market at Sawyer Yards (every second Saturday), both of which are located near The Heights area of central Houston. I also occasionally participate at various markets and festivals.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fabweldwood.com
- Phone: 8327463830
- Email: fab.weld.wood@gmail.com
- Instagram: fab.weld.wood
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fab.weld.wood/
Image Credit:
Steven Ulrich
Joyce Ulrich
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