Living The American Dream

Nov 23

This may not be everyone's American Dream, but it was my dad’s. I was probably around fourteen years old, my mom had recently passed away, and we were spending more time away from the house. One night after getting a bite to eat, we went for a walk and found ourselves at the Harley Davidson Dealership on Lincoln Blvd in Los Angeles. There we stood gazing through the big glass window at several beautiful bikes, he turned to me and said, “Son, maybe one day you and I will ride across the states on a couple of those.” In later years his health had declined, so I rode for the two of us.

In this picture: I’m in my early twenties having a smoke at a rest area in Vail Colorado on I-70. These were some precarious times, running from myself, battling alcohol, drug addiction, and rolling the dice with death! This was my first Harley Davidson, '86 FXR Super Glide and I rode it like a bat out of hell!! As dangerous as it was, the bike helped me process through a great deal of emotional pain and fortunately I survived the whole ordeal! There are so many beautiful areas across this country that I highly recommend doing a road trip. I eventually rode through 27 states and met some mighty fine people out there!

John Garloff

Artist in Metal Illumination

I’m in a phase of life at age 60, a recovered alcoholic/drug addict with 34 years sobriety, and with little formal education, have found a great deal of wisdom from past years of life through its challenges, freedoms, and triumphs.

Working with metal, developing and creating illuminated sculptures instills a sense of purpose and healing of childhood trauma from a mom, intent on committing suicide and then succeeding when I was eleven.

There’s something exceedingly special that happens in the shop when designing and creating that inspires, soothes and heals my spirit. I have been learning, researching and buying specific tools for my artistic endeavor since 2009. For the past few years, I have been pursuing galleries but have been declined by many because they didn’t see me as an artist, only a “craftsman”. This has lit a fire and gives me the determination to change this perception.

In January, my wife and I collaborated on an art showcase that yielded a great response and recognition validating me as an artist. My ambition and dream is to push the lamp designs far beyond anything imaginable.

Each piece is a great learning experience filled with complexity and development. It’s all about appealing to your sense of touch, sound and the visual aesthetics. Some of my latest added tools into the shop are a welder, English wheel and bead roller. I’m encouraged to include further new tools that will enhance the many traditional hand tools from some of the old timers I have encountered along the way.

The Tea House, a pagoda style design was created from galvanized sheet metal with embossed flower stems on the bead roller. This was the first item sold at my recent art showcase that incorporated several techniques used in the autobody industry.

This entire experience allows me to grow into becoming the best version of self and move forward as a progressive artist with confidence. My style is a fusion of inspirations including industrial and the influential godfather of steampunk, Jules Verne, French novelist and poet.

I am motivated to express and share my art through gratitude for love and life, connection with people, the planet, and its beauty.

https://www.jgarloffdesign.com/

Living The American Dream

Old Family Picture 1968

An opportunity

J.Garloff Design