Francesco Calabrese, Austin, TX
Summary Profile
The Creative Metal Studio (TCMS) was started by Francesco, the artist, in 1974 in New Jersey. Over the years the Studio has been located in California, Arizona, Florida and now in Austin, TX. Works by Francesco are located in churches and private residences across the US. Works range in material including steel, stainless steel, copper, brass and glass.
Contemporary Metal Artist
Francesco was born in Jersey City, NJ. During his high school years, he was taught to work with copper, bronze and silver by his father beginning at the age of 14 years. He worked with his father during the summers while in high school. Upon graduation from high school, Francesco attended university and obtained a B.S. degree in biological science. Subsequently, he attended graduate school and obtained an M.B.A in Management. His science career in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutrition industries led him away from his work with metals and metal art. Francesco's career took him across the country from New Jersey to California, Florida, Texas and Arizona.
Early Days as a Metal Artist
Francesco began his initial experimentation in metal sculpture during his corporate carere and time would allow. Francesco built small custom ultra-modem table top and wall hangings as decorative displays in his own home. His friends and relatives commented on the uniqueness of the abstract metal art sculptures. In his spare time, he built several more wall hanging abstract metal sculptures, which eventually led to the development of his present artistic abilities. As he continued to create wall sculptures he also experimented with free-standing sculptures and has since developed many unique designs which have become the signature of his work. He also experimented with transparent coatings and chemical colorants to add additional uniqueness to his abstract metal art allowing them to be seen through a spectrum of colors. His personal collection grew so large, with encouragement from relatives and friend he decided to begin selling off his work. The sale of his work allow him to continue to produce abstract metal sculptures by deferring the cost of material such as copper, stainless steel, brass, bronze and silver. Francesco sold his newly created modern metal art in local consignment galleries, mail order catalogues, local bank and local Arts and Crafts Festivals art galleries and by word of mouth by customers. The success of the sales and the demand for more artwork led him to pursue his artwork with renewed interest. He displayed his abstract metal sculptures in Studio City California ( where he was awarded first prize for design), Los Angeles, Buena Park California, West Orange, NJ, Dripping Springs/Fredricksburg/Bee Cave and Austin, TX
Evolution into Full-Time Metal Artist
In 2011, Francesco decided to leave the corporate world and persue his abstract metal sculpture full time and move to Austin, TX. He was motivated by ever-increasing interest and demand for his abstract metal sculpture. Francesco is now working full time on his abstract metal art from his studio in Austin, TX.
Innovative New Metal Design Ideas
His career change allowed Francesco to spend more time creating his modem abstract metal sculpture designs and developing innovative new ideas. By years end Francesco will be looking to move to a larger studio due to the demand for his work however he will remain ti Austin, TX. The increase in work comes in as custom the requests for large-scale modern metal wall hangings, free standing sculptures
and abstract metal clocks.
