Artist Profile: Joe Pogan

I shared with you about an amazing assemblage artist back in October 2006. His name is Joe Pogan, and I am actually fortunate enough to own one of his works! But not this one (don’t I wish!):

Artist: Joe Pogan
Website: Joe Pogan

Joe, how do you describe your work?
I call it found metal sculptures. It’s hard to describe exactly what I do without the sculptures being seen.

What is your creative process like?
I’ll weld a frame together and then start with the larger objects and work my way down using smaller and smaller objects. I try using different objects so the viewer has fun discovering what is hidden right in front of them. It’s a somewhat controlled serendipity, you might say. I’ve made so many birds and fish that I do have a pattern I follow when I make them but it’s still fun because of the vast array of objects I use. I usually listen to the radio. I try to work around 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. The weekends are either out collecting my “junk” or doing an art festival.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I can’t say that I had any formal training in making sculptures. I’ve always been artistic. I have a twin brother who was always the artistic one, so I guess it runs in the family. I was a welder (TIG welder) since 1972 and started making the sculptures around 1995 in my shop at home. It started with a bunch of junk (old tools, nuts, bolts, etc) I had and I thought I’d make a pig sculpture out of it. It didn’t look much like a pig so I got a picture and took measurements and tried again. This time it looked like a pig and that’s how it started. My brother suggested I apply for an art festival so I did and got excepted. When people actually bought what I made, that’s when it became professional.Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the TIG welding machine. It has a foot pedal which allows me to control the amperage. Without that I would destroy (over heat and burn up) a lot of the items I use to make the sculptures with.

What inspires you to create?
The fun of making them and the comments made about them to me.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
I think to myself, would I rather get back in all that traffic and go weld for someone else? It’s not so frustrating after all.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
When I get there, maybe I’ll have the answer!What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
My art takes up most of my time. If I have to answer with something, I’ll say TV.

What’s your favorite comfort food?
I’ve reached the age where I can’t have any favorite comfort foods. LOL.