Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Lanford.
Hi Lee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in Austin. My family owned a large farm and industrial equipment business, and I was immersed in a shop and business environment. I attended university to study genetic engineering, but I soon became disillusioned about working in a closed laboratory environment. While taking some courses at Austin Community College, I stumbled across the newly created Metal Arts program there, and quickly became very enamored with designing and creating in the metal medium. I was the first person to graduate from ACC with an Art Metals degree. In 2005, after being laid off, I decided to take my metalworking side-gig, and make it full time. In 2007 I built my current shop, purchased a CNC waterjet, and fully established my blacksmithing and fabrication facility. I have continued to add metalworking capabilities, and have made my shop a local resource to other metal artists and fabricators in the area. I have worked with many local artists, designers, architects and builders, and have had a hand in numerous highly visible projects around Central Texas.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting and operating your own business is always a struggle. Juggling both business and artistic concerns can be very contradictory internally, and learning to balance those is a continuing education. Probably the biggest hurdle to overcome was the 2008 Housing Financial Crisis. This occurred shortly after I opened my shop, and made it very difficult to get the business established with a stable foothold for a couple of years. Fortunately, due to hard work, attention to customer service and great recommendations, I have been able to grow and maintain a wonderful customer base.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I design and create custom metalwork, as well as taking on commissioned work. I make furniture, sculpture and a wide variety of architectural and industrial work. I like to think I am known for the quality of my work and the ease of working with me. Some of the things I am most proud of are the pieces around town that people have come to see as quintessentially part of Austin now. One of the biggest things that sets me apart from others is that I have the knowledge, experience and capabilities that other artists and fabricators have relied on to make their own designs a reality.
What matters most to you?
Quality, fit and finish. Whether it is my design, or someone else’s, I want to make something to be as close to how it has been envisioned. At heart, I am a perfectionist. Kind of tough to achieve within the physical constraints of the world we live in, but I aim for it. “Perfection is expected, excellence is only tolerated” is the shop motto…
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hotmetalworks.com
- Instagram: @Hot_metalworks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hotmetalworx
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-lanford-721b795/
