Artist Statements-Derek and Jodi Fultz of Pipe Dream Designs

Looking back, metal work has always been a part of my life. Growing up the son of a true “Fix-it Man”, the guy everyone came to when they needed repairs, the welder and torch were never far away. Both of my parents encouraged the creative pursuits of my youth. Years later, after acquiring many of my own tools for practical repair purposes, and holding back a simmering desire to create, it finally occurred to me that I could translate some of the doodles and sketches I had created into metal. This resulted in a creative outlet based on purposeful design.

Many of my pieces bear witness to this duality of purpose and design. Functioning objects that lend beauty to their surroundings and add a unique flair to spaces created for enjoyment and relaxation.

Now when I step into my workspace I do so with a general idea, a picture in the back of my mind. Through heat and sparks, hammer blows, cuts and bends these images come forth in the patterns and shapes of steel. The results are often surprising, even to me, as they have risen from the depth of my internal vision and become real at my hand.

I continue to acquire tools, pursue knowledge, and try new techniques to enliven and deepen my designs. This pursuit of knowledge and skill is what keeps the images flowing and stagnation at bay.

As it turns out, blacksmithing is truly in my blood. My great grandfather and great uncle both plied their hand at this noble trade. Although I never had the opportunity to work with either, perhaps, in some small way, they guide my hands…

My art is simply the result of time spent with my husband. We have two young children that we love to spend time with, and not a lot of time to spend with each other. Between working full time and taking care of the kids we try to spend anytime we have together. My passion has always been physical fitness and my husband’s passion has always been metal work. Now, in order to compromise he works out with me and I work in the shop with him. In doing so, he has taught me that working with metal can be every bit as satisfying as working out in the gym. I have him to thank for bringing out the creative side in me. He is and forever will be my true inspiration.

When I begin a piece, I see only images of all shapes and sizes. As I start to eliminate the images one by one the final piece emerges. To me the shapes represent the chaos that life throws at you. You can either choose to make something from that chaos or get lost in its realm and lose yourself as well.

Being new to the artist in myself and not understanding my creative side, I had to look at what my pieces meant. Where have I been? What have I seen? What do I do? The answer is that I sculpt, layer on layer, piece by piece. As working out clears the daily grind from my head, geometric forms begin to emerge to be translated into art in the shop at night.

BIOGRAPHY

Derek and Jodi Fultz have both been trained as biologists, worked in various scientific fields, and are avid “do-it-your-selfers”. Having acquired many tools and accomplished many projects over the years, they are always modifying one thing or another. Among other things, Derek is a fervent doodler; his pen/pencil rarely rests. One of his doodles inspired a series of ornamental garden stakes and Pipe Dream Designs was born. Since then their work has expanded to include a large variety of garden sculptures, family trees from simplistic to extravagant, abstract wall art, bird feeders, birdbaths, bells, shepherd hooks, wind vanes, bottle trees, and various other items constructed primarily of metal. Creating beautiful pieces of art and craft from materials that would otherwise take up space in a landfill or junkyard, or using new raw stock, is a welcomed challenge.

-Derek Fultz:

Building and creating has been in my family for quite some time. I grew up in rural Sullivan, Illinois with a “Mr. Fix It” father, the guy who can repair virtually anything, and a mother who is a great seamstress, and generally creative. Both are “artists” in their own way, though neither would ever say so. Tools were a big part of my youth and I was encouraged to “give it a try” when the ideas for projects popped into my mind. Although I never met him, my Great Grandfather was a professional blacksmith, a fact that has inspired me to move from the basic fabrication of metal into the true classical art of blacksmithing.

Formally, I am the Director of Operations, Safety, and Compliance in the Department of Chemistry, at the University of Illinois. I came to this position by way of the pharmaceutical industry, technical management of a wall paper paste factory, and laboratory and safety management in a food supplement company, all interesting and challenging endeavors. A strong interest in the outdoors led me to the field of Biology, and the desire to observe how things fit together and work, inspires many of my designs.

One of the many factors that prompted us to pursue our art is to show our two young children how to be creative, and learn what we consider basic skills in life; Do for yourself, fix what’s broken, build what you can, and enjoy what you do. Besides, it’s just plain fun...

Jodi Fultz:

I was born and raised in Midlothian, IL. I was always taught to do for myself what I could, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. I grew up as an athlete and worked hard to become who I am. I have always enjoyed physical activity and have never shied away from physical labor. I’ve had many interests in life, ranging from working in a lab and learning the latest research either in biology or chemistry, being a hazardous materials specialist on an emergency response team, an elite body builder, and a personal trainer and child fitness specialist. My favorite interest so far has been being a Mom to my two children. This undoubtedly has been the most challenging, rewarding, enjoyable and frustrating activity I have come across. But nonetheless, all have contributed to a pool of ideas when creating a piece of art. The majority of my ideas come to me while I am engaged in physical activity. With so many things to consider in life, my brain finally gets to rest from the daily grind, when my body is hard at work. The harder I work, the more the ideas flow. Images appearing, slowly at first then, gradually increasing in speed until a complete picture is revealed. That is why I believe so strongly in the power of physical activity and why my life revolves around it. It can help a person heal mentally, emotionally, and physically.