Here is an exceptional insight into the unique ironwork created by today's artist-blacksmiths. Over 250 color photographs display details of contemporary iron objects, including flowers, grape clusters, leaves, small and large animals that attest to the blacksmith's role as a sculptor. There are amazing scrolls, folds, twists, textures, and weaves not normally associated with the hard material. With heat, hammer, talent, and muscle, the modern artist-blacksmith is forging exciting forms that permeate our surroundings. The casual viewer may often overlook details of small elements used to create a magnificent whole. Dona Z. Meilach shows how focusing on the iron details of flowers, leaves, and amazing critters makes ordinary fences, gates, and chandeliers extraordinary. Functional joints become beautiful elements for furniture, fireplace accessories, candlestick holders, and other iron items we use daily.

Dona's approach will open one's eyes to "see" and respect this burgeoning art form. This stimulating book is a must for metalworkers, designers, artists, gallery owners, art lovers, and museum directors. THE AUTHOR: Dona Z. Meilach's unprecedented exploration of work by modern artists-blacksmiths in six earlier books has been herald as the catalyst for the growth of ironwork today. She has an uncanny ability for selecting and presenting iron, and other art/craft media, so that people can better appreciate what they are viewing. Dona holds a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from the University of Chicago and a Master's Degree in Art History form Northwestern University. She has written over 55 inspirational art books and scores of articles. She teaches and lectures internationally on sculpture in many media, and lives in Carlsbad, California.