Thomas Latané is the epitome of the artist blacksmith. A master of traditional forging techniques, he specializes in Gothic, Renaissance, Scandinavian and Early American styles and can recreate just about anything forged by human hands. This has earned him the respect of aspiring and accomplished blacksmiths around the world, who strive to match his technical ability. Yet the art of mimicry is not what makes one a master craftsman – and this is where Latané's true talent lies. He is a skilled designer, the creator of whimsical and functional objects. Whether it is a common tool, an elaborate knocker or a gothic lockbox, the attention to detail and ornamentation transforms the everyday into a celebration of material, tradition and the unexpected.

Despite this incredible wealth of knowledge and skill, Latané is perhaps one of the most generous and humble smiths working today. Reading between the lines of his self-authored biography reveals a lifetime dedicated to teaching, collaborating and giving. His contributions to the field of blacksmithing, examined individually, are not prepared with monumental developments or projects. His contributions, instead, are defined by the quiet, often unacknowledged moments when an idea is shared, a problem is solved and a helping hand is offered. His contributions as an artist and as a blacksmith are vast and dear to those who have had the pleasure of working with him, learning from him and benefiting from his ability to move metal in ways that most of us can only imagine.

Format: Hardcover     Dimensions     Pages: 56     llustration: