ORNAMENTAL ART - SCULPTING  THE  IMAGINATION  IN  METAL  

         James C. Nevins   

     "Over the past few years, I've dabbled in art shows with what I called my " FISH-N-BONES" sculptures. It was more a hobby that I did with friends when we wanted to go to a fishing tournament and make some extra cash or because nationally known artists thought my fish would look good in their booth. I did win a blue ribbon for my "Mangrove Chair" in a juried show at the Backus Gallery. Basically, though, Mr. Falisiriand his "Inspirational Art"  event is providing me with the opportunity for my first REAL " foray" into the world of artists. I wish I could show you all the things I have created over the past few decades but most are in private homes from Tallahassee to Miami. I've been doing metal work and fabrication in the Vero area since I first began as a helper in a local welding shop when I was 14 years old. I've built a good reputation for precision work and dedication and have created hundreds of handcrafted ornamental gates, staircases, railings, furniture, murals and sculptures.  For years, people have tried to convince me to give up the day to day sweat shop of fabrication and pursue the artistic side of my talent. It always sounded good but I was just too busy with the work I was doing for my employer. Then, last March, I was in an automobile accident. According to doctors, I shouldn't have survived much less have been able to walk again. The accident gave me two things:
1) The time to really sit down and think about what I want to do and
2) The ability to realize that spending my life doing what I love is what
I want to do"                                                 

GARDEN OF A THOUSAND WHISPERS
Hand-forged Wrought Iron Sculpture with Gold Vein Finish ONE OF A KIND Inspired by a Falisiri Rug!  "The rug just whispered to me. A Scheherazade of wool and silk. A single story heard within each captured thread. Flowers, flutter­ing birds, and tendrils of rooted designs called to me softly. The past whispering to the present. A voice both seductive and ancient. Thus, I chose to create as sculpture that would be, like the rug: noble and beautiful; introspective and useful. A single metal thread, growing and weaving itself into a three dimensional continuation of the rug's narrative.