Meet Joseph Simmons of Metal Art in West Mockingbird

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Simmons.

Joseph, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was making metal sculptures in my father’s shop at about 12 years old. Having moved to the country from the city, I kept finding old tractor implement parts and other interesting metal pieces and would drag them home.

I would weld them together into interesting sculptures, and had sold several pieces before I was 15.

Started working with a group of sculptors called The Quong Group at age 16 in 1972 making trees, birds, fish, and abstract metal artwork for 3 years.

Later, I worked as a pressure tank welder, and then in metal fabrication shops, learning to work with heavy industrial machinery.

I then worked with a prominent metalsmith here in Dallas for 4 years learning the finer aspects of metal craftsmanship, and then going on my own about 25 years ago.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course it hasn’t been easy, and the challenges were many, but the fascination with metal started early, and I’ve have always been intrigued with Nature’s ingenious beauty….She is the inspiration for much of my artwork and designs.

I tried other avenues along the way; my fascination for trees, plants, and foliage was so strong that I was compelled to work in greenhouses with ornamental plants for some years.

In the early 80’s, I moved to the Caribbean and tried my hand at crewing and captaining sailing charter boats for a couple of years, and even did some bar tending on weekends for some years while showing works in galleries and showrooms.

When someone tells me how lucky I am to have such a talent, I am very appreciative, but sometimes wish to convey that it is not easy and that it is hard work, requiring perseverance and sometimes agonizing patience – but there are joys along the way, and when the piece is finished, it is pure ecstasy.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Metal Art – what should we know?
Individuals, designers, and architects bring me their drawings, sketches, ideas, visions, and concepts, and together we finalized a design. I can provide them with material examples, finish and patina samples, pricing options, engineering considerations, and artistic experience.

I have designed and built everything from jewelry to water fountains. I have designed and produced furniture, chandeliers, light fixtures, and architectural fixtures, and metal sculpture for restaurants, hotels, hospitals, casinos, airports, museums, business lobbies, and residences.

I work in all metals including aluminum, steel, stainless, bronze, brass, and copper.
I love them all and find comfort in metal’s serene strength and permanence.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
– My parents recognized that I was interested in metal art, encouraged me, and bought me an acetylene/oxygen torch when I was 14 and took me to a junk yards to scrounge for scrap metal which was very helpful.

– A friend of my mother’s, named Marian Erickson (a black belt in karate) saw my sculptures when I was 16 and suggested I contact The Quong Group (a group of metal sculptors) for whom worked through my high school years and learned much.

– Jim Cinquemani, a gifted artist, designer, and craftsman whom I met while working at Dallas Metalsmiths in the late 70’s, and who is still a good friend, mentor, and colleague has sent me work, and given me good advice for many decades.

– Freda Vaughn marketed my work for about 6 years until the economy crashed in 2008 which was very helpful in bringing in some important clients. I miss her marketing skills to this day, as I am practically doing this work in secret, relying on word-of-mouth.

Contact Info:

• Address: Joseph Simmons
  4847 Don Dr
  Dallas TX 75247
• Website: jsmetalart.com
• Phone: 214-688-1950
• Email: jsmetalart@sbcglobal.net

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