Q&A: Frank Humphreys

The First Friday, February 6th, Upcycled is honored to feature the art of local metal bender Frank Humphreys. Prior to his show, we caught up with Frank and asked him a few questions.

Who are you and what do you do?
I’m a longtime resident of Missoula.  I've always loved to be out exploring in the woods.  I'm delighted to find anything old or funky.  I also drive school bus for Hellgate Elementary.
 
How did you get started?
I got started by seeing something cool that someone had made out of old, rusty metal and thought to myself, “I can do that.”  So I began collecting old tin from junk piles.  I began a journey of learning how to use a pair of 100 year old tin snips, some old wire, and a pair of pliers to fashion different objects, icons, and eventually – flowers.
 
What sets your work apart? 
I learned everything I do by trial and error.  In that sense, everything I do is uniquely mine.
 
Tell us about your process?
Part of my nature is to see art and beauty in the funkiest and rustiest of objects.  I like the idea of redeeming what was forgotten or discarded into something that could bring back a memory or be an expression of beauty out of that decay. I find energy to work on the artwork when I have interesting items in front of me.  Then I can allow my imagination to roam.
 
Where do you see your art in five years?
I’d like to move more into working with wood, painting techniques, and incorporating the rusted metal work with the woodwork.

 Any advice for up and coming Artisans?
Advice:  find what interests you and just begin.  Trust that you’ll find the ability.  You will discover things you never imagined when you first started out.