ABOUT
THE ARTIST

My name is Luke Proctor. I am an artist blacksmith who owns and operates L. Proctor Ironworks out of a remodeled 80-year-old blacksmith shop in the beautiful, rolling hills of southwest Wisconsin. My business is located about 20 minutes southwest of Madison in the unincorporated village of Mount Vernon.


TECHNIQUES

I employ traditional forging techniques that have been used by smiths for thousands of years. I also use a gas forge. Compared with coke or coal forges that were used exclusively by smiths in the past, a gas forge is cleaner and runs on liquid propane, which is much easier to obtain. In addition, I use some modern tools such as a MIG welder, torches, and an electric 50-pound power hammer, although I primarily use a hand-held hammer and anvil to produce my functional works of art.


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

I started forging in 2001 when I enrolled at the Madison Area Technical College and took a one-year course in welding. It was a very interesting course, and once I had the chance to make a chisel in class and to pound hot metal on an anvil, I knew what I wanted to do. The exchange of energy when striking hot metal on the anvil is one of the most exhilarating experiences I have ever had, and still do have every day.

One of my MATC instructors knew of an artist blacksmith in the area that had taken on apprentices before, so I contacted this gentleman. Following a few months of dialogue, he agreed to let me come to his shop and begin to learn blacksmithing with him.

After three years of apprenticeship and two more years of employment applying traditional hand-forging techniques to produce functional works of art in steel, copper, and brass, I was able to take the next step and open my own shop. It has been a long journey, but well worth it!