![\"Dining](\"https:\/\/www.westermans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Eagle1.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Eagle](\"https:\/\/www.westermans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Eagle-reverse.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTell us a little bit about how your business got started \u2013 what were you doing before you set it up?<\/h3>\n
As soon as I graduated I wanted a workshop. I have had several in different parts of Sussex, ranging from garages to barns. The one I am in currently is an old milking parlour on an ex-dairy farm, and is by far the best place I have had to date. There have been times when I have done more mundane work on short term contracts to pay the bills and give me more creative freedom within my own work.<\/p>\n
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You\u2019ve created some fantastic sculptures of animals, what is it that led you to focus on the natural world?<\/h3>\n
I have always had a fascination with the natural world since childhood. I was a typical boy who liked bugs, insects, and an interest in the weird and wonderful. I think most kids do, I just kept the interest going well into my adult life. With a tube of superglue I would salvage pieces from old toys and modify them into new creations.<\/p>\n
I love working with junk and scrap metal. The shapes you find totally inspire what you want to make or the project you are working on. I try not to horde too much though.<\/p>\n The oddest material I have worked with is definitely an old skip I used to make the life sized Rhino from. That was heavy work.<\/p>\n The project I am working on is always my favourite piece. Especially when you really get in the zone of creativity. This \u2018zone\u2019 is not accessible whenever or wherever you are. Inspiration comes in fits and spurts, but with some projects it can really guide you along.<\/p>\n I like making things I can transport easily enough, but logistics aside, currently I\u2019m really enjoying making smaller decorative pieces. After some time of that I will probably turn around and say \u2018Right! time to make something massive\u2019.<\/p>\n I would like to make more public art, and bigger commissions with some heavy lifting equipment i.e. Dinosaurs (I am a big kid aren\u2019t I?)<\/p>\n My biggest design influences are styles and genres, and mostly the illustrative imagery of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Steampunk, and Fantasy art.<\/p>\n For people looking to get into welding I would say there are many hobby and career paths to choose from. It all depends on what you want to get out of it. It has taken me a long time for me to develop my work and gain interest from the art world, and at times it\u2019s been a financial uphill struggle, but I do it because I love it.<\/p>\n As far as interesting stories go, I think all I have to say is that the path that led me to what I do today is thanks to all the people that told me I couldn\u2019t do it, from my art teacher at school, to tutors in higher education. I hear of a lot of creative people that had an influential teacher or tutor that helped them develop, but for me it was all quite anti-establishment.<\/p>\n Thanks again for joining us Alan! If you’d like to see more of Alan’s sculptures visit his website\u00a0www.alanwilliamsmetalartist.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the latest of our welding showcases we’re joined by the very talented Alan Williams. Alan’s predominantly animal themed sculptures are made from found interesting and unusual ‘found’ and reclaimed metal, breathing life into what some might consider scrap. From … Continue reading
\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nYour sculptures are often made from weird and wonderful found materials what was the inspiration behind that? What\u2019s the oddest thing you\u2019ve made a sculpture out of in the past?<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nDo you have a favourite project that you have created?<\/h3>\n
The projects you\u2019ve worked on are very varied, from small pieces to your huge dragon sculpture as well as gates and furniture \u2013 do you have a preference for a certain type of project or do you prefer making a variety?<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nDo you have any dream commissions or projects you\u2019d love to create?<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nWho are your biggest design inspirations?<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWhat advice would you give to people looking to get into welding?<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/p>\nAny other interesting stories you’d like to share?<\/h3>\n