Multi
Torch Fire enamellist since 1970.
I won't bother you with the details of my early life other than
to say I grew up in Chicago, Illinois and spent 10 years in
private and formal study for a career in voice, which was interrupted
by three years in the U.S. Navy (WWII).
I started work in 1952 selling school and church furniture.
Two years later, I started my own church furniture sales &
design company. While in this business, in 1962, I met
Harold Martin, Master Enamellist. Harold also worked
with churches doing Cloisonné enamel Stations of the Cross,
Symbolism, etc. Over the next three years I spent many
hours in the Harold Martin Studio learning the basics of enameling.
Being an impatient soul, I tired of the very time consuming
process of kiln fired enameling. I had the idea that
I could make small enamel inlays for church pew ends in the
flame of two torches. Harold was not impressed with
the idea, but sent me to see Mr. Teeters, VP & Chief Engineer
of the Thompson Enamel Company. Mr. Teeters acknowledged,
that enameling was being done by applying the torch fire to
the bottom of an object. He stated that the direct fire
on the enamels was not realistic and would discolor or burn
the enamel. With that understanding, Teeters was happy
to make the enamel available to me. That was all I needed
to start my experiments of torch fired enameling in full
round: One torch on top and one on the bottom.
Three years later, I happened to see a lamp worker doing a
Mall Show (demonstration & sales) with crowds and lots
of sales. Having been an entertainer, I decided this
was the way to introduce Multi Torch Fire (MTF) enameling
to the public and perhaps make a fair living.
In September of 1970 I had the opportunity to do a two week,
one man show (with Sales and Demonstration) of MTF enameling
at the South Dale mall, Edina, Minnesota. That was the
beginning of a six year association with the Dayton Hudson
Company, at their four regional shopping malls in the Minneapolis/
St Paul, Minnesota area.
In 1973 and 1974 after closing the Dayton Hudson season,
my wife, Lois and I left Minnesota heading south for a winter
in Florida, and a Tour with the World Art Shows (out of California).
In April of 1974 while doing a show in Clearwater, Florida
we dined at the world famous Kapok Tree Inn. After dinner
we made contact with the Management and talked about a possible
future show.
In January of 1975, Lois and I arrived in Clearwater, Florida;
two weeks ahead of the World Art Show Tour. We again
made contact with the Kapok Tree Inn Management and arranged
to do a ten day show in their beautiful gardens. We
stayed seven years, usually working seven nights a week.
I have built two studios in Florida. The first in 1976
in Clearwater and my present much larger studio in Safety
Harbor (Clearwater Area) in 1983.
Multi Torch Fired Enameling is what I've done for 40 years.
Being 83 years old, I don't travel much anymore except for
the Enamellist Conventions and my Glass Enamel Bead Making
workshops. For me, the lure of the flames is irresistible.
Click Here
for a tribute to Joseph's mentor
|
