Resume

Colby Brinkman – Brinkman Metal Smiths

Work Experience

2004 – Current
Brinkman Metal Smiths
Sole proprietor of a multifaceted metal shop specializing in ferrous and nonferrous welding and fabrication, as well as contemporary and traditional hot metal forging

2005 – Current
Austin Metal Authority
Founding member of a collaborative metal shop focusing on teamwork and large scale metal sculpture and design

2003 – 2005
FireWork Blacksmithing Studio
Partner in a blacksmithing, welding and fabrication shop

2002 – 2003
Studio Claudio Bottero
Apprentice to contemporary Italian blacksmith Claudio Bottero in Piombino Dese, Italy

2002
Atelier Josef Muck
Apprentice to master restoration blacksmith Josef Mück in Prague, Czech Republic

2001
Sebastian Fisher Metal Work
Apprentice in high-end architectural, ornamental metal shop, under the tutelage of Spanish blacksmith Sebastian Fisher in Casares, Spain

1999 – 2001
Rehme Custom Iron Work
Manager of a four person shop specializing in fabrication and forged architectural ornamental metal work.

1997 – 2000, 2006
Lars Stanley Architects and Artisans
Under tutelage of architect and blacksmith Lars Stanley

Teaching

Adjunct Professor, “Layout and Fabrication,” Austin Community College
Continuing Education Teacher, “Welded Steel Sculpture”, Austin Community College
Blacksmithing Teacher, Penland School of Crafts
Education coordinator and welding and blacksmithing instructor, Austin Metal Authority
Welding Department advisory board member, Austin Community College
Iron Studio shop representative for the Instructors Retreat, Penland School of Crafts
Blacksmithing instructor, Austin Waldorf School
Blacksmithing instructor, The Steel Yard, Providence RI

Education and Certification

  • Austin Community College; Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology; Art Metals: Metal Sculpture Specialization
  • Penland School of Crafts; studio assistant to master blacksmith Claudio Bottero
  • Penland School of Crafts; studio assistant to master blacksmith Michael Bondi
  • Austin Community College; Certificate in Art Metals
  • Hrad Helfstyn, Czech Republic; tool making workshop with master blacksmith Alfred Habermann
  • Cecati Trade School, Santa Clara del Cobre, Mexico; copper forging classes in copper smithing and vessel forming
  • Certified Gas Tungsten Arc Welder

Exhibitions

2017 – Nu Iron Age, Pop-Up Gallery, New Orleans,LA
2016 – Cyclical Abundance, Dimension Gallery
2016 – Paved Garden, Dimension Gallery
2016 – Hexapoda, Solo Show, Dimension Gallery
2016 – Birth : Rebirth, Elemental Origins, Dimension Gallery
2016 – Dimension at Art City Austin, Palmer Events Center
2012 – Sisyphus, Club Deville
2011 – The People’s Gallery, Austin City Hall – Hydra City
2011 – Swallow For Men, Austin Metal Authority
2010 – ABANA Conference Gallery – Hydra City
2010 – “Iron: Forged, Tempered, Quenched” Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
2008 – Maker Faire Austin
2008 – Vouch Vol.2
2006-2012 – East Austin Studio Tour
2006 – “Bloom: Forged with Fire and Force” Brookfield Craft Center
2006 – “The Floating Chair” Design Within Reach
2005 – “Anvil Art: Anchored by Architecture” Design Center of Austin
2004 – “Metalamoungus” Austin Bergstrom International Airport
2003 – “Metalamoungus” Gallery Lombardi

Fellowships

2016-2017 Dimension Gallery Artist Fellow

Awards/Demonstrations

  • 2017 Steephollow Combo-Demo Demonstrator
  • 2016 ABANA Conference – Assistant to Demonstrator Jake James
  • 2014 California Blacksmith Association Octoberfest, Demonstrator
  • 2013 Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival Demonstrator
  • 2012 ABANA Conference – Assistant to Claudio Bottero in the creation of the sculpture “Vertibratus” Austin Forging Competition 1st prize and People’s Choice winner
  • ABANA ” Wally Award” for Hydra City ABANA Conference 2010 – Lecture on the creation of Hydra City
  • Maker Faire Austin Four Editor’s Choice Ribbons – Forging demonstration with the Austin Metal Authority
  • Victorio Vineto Biennial Forging Competition, Italy Demonstrated hand forging techniques and was awarded 3rd prize in the competition
  • Biennial Europa d’Arte Fabrile, Italy Demonstrated hand forging techniques with German blacksmith
  • Balcones Forge Association, Austin, Texas Lecture on creation, design and execution of sculpture
  • Texas Metal Arts Festival in Gruene, Texas – Demonstrated hand forging techniques

Publications

The Anvils Ring – Spring 2010, article on Hydra City
Artist Blacksmith Association of North America Scholarship Report
http://www.abana.org/resources/education/scholarshipreport.shtml
Austin Chronicle Heavy Metal
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:507384
Loyal Magazine # 10
http://www.loyalmagazine.com/loyalmagazine10.html
The Spark April 2006
http://www.thesteelyard.org/newsletters

Consultation

HGR Surplus – Consultant on the 2011 “Chair and Tell” event, an opportunity for artists to use tool inventory to create chairs. Tasks include event logistics, call for entry judge, social media advertising, and design/build logistics.

Eleanor McKinney Landscape Architects – Consultant on large-scale steel trellis for the East 7th Street revitalization project.

Co-producer of the Austin Forging Competition – 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018

Memberships

  • Board member, Austin Community College Welding Department Advisory Board
  • Artist Blacksmith Association of North America
  • Balcones Forge – Central Texas Blacksmiths
  • The Guild of Austin Artisans