Don Asbee,
Metal Artist, Hartsburg, Missouri
Born and educated in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but trained as a blacksmith in Montana and a welder/fabricator in Missouri, Don has worked creatively in metal since 1972. In the early 1970’s, Don enjoyed blacksmithing and horseshoeing as a “back-to-the-basics” occupation in Bland, Missouri. In his studio there, he created custom woodstoves, fire tools, gates and fences for clients throughout the state. During the last 15 years, however, he gradually has changed the emphasis of his forgework from strictly functional to chiefly sculptural and architectural forms. Don’s background in forgework and welding provided the framework from which his art has emerged.
His sculptures and architectural metalwork may be seen statewide in the homes and on the grounds of many private clients. He’s also created pieces for such clients as the Kellogg Company in Battle Creek, Michigan; the St. Louis Zoo; Hermanhof and Stonehill wineries in Hermann, Missouri; Schneithorst Restaurant in St. Louis; Casualty Indemnity Insurance Company in Jefferson City, Missouri; Trinity Episcopol Church in St. Charles, Missouri; the Newman Center in Columbia, Missouri; and the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Under the sponsorship of the Mid America Arts Alliance, his work is being shown throughout the country in “Earth, Fire and Water: Contemporary Forged Metal,” a two-year traveling exhibit. As a past vice president of the Blacksmith Association of Missouri, and as a member of the Artist-Blacksmith Association of North America, Don has enhanced his skills through workshops, conferences and symposiums.
His studio is located in a rustic setting near Hartsburg, Missouri, where he designs and crafts custom, commissioned pieces. Next time you’re near Hartsburg, please stop by. Also, keep an eye out for his ironwork throughout the state.
Artist’s Statement
My background in forgework and welding provided the framework from which my art has emerged.
I have been working creatively in metal since 1972. My early works were primarily functional pieces, with an emphasis on the “form follows function” concept.
However, during the past two decades, I have discovered–with increasing ease–the means to draw upon an inner spiritual energy. This is expressed in both my sculptural and architectural forms.
I have come to believe that the creative process best expresses itself on an emotional, as well as physical level. The resulting sculptural forms are the emotional bridge and essential connection between the artists and those experiencing the art.
Resume
2011
Boone Hospital Center, Columbia Missouri. Dogwood wall sculpture, forged steel.
Tom and Anne Smith, Columbia Missouri. Courtyard entry gates, forged steel.
Pat and Lisa Mooney, Webster Grove, Missouri. Coctail table, forged steel.
2010
Gorman – Borts Residence, Clayton Missouri. Bird in the Kitchen baker’s rack, forged steel.
National Biodeisel Board, Jefferson City Missouri. Algenisis Revisited wall sculpture, recycled, forged wrought iron, recycled travertine.
Doug Bean, Annapolis Maryland. Navy Times retirement clock, forged steel.
Spears Residence, Jefferson City Missouri. Oakmont Revisited balcony railing, forged steel.
Ballinger Residence, Ladue Missouri. Estate garden gates, forged steel.
2009
Hollo Residence, Ladue Missouri. Tall entry lamps and replicated period exterior lamps. Forged steel and copper.
Twehouse Residence, Jefferson City Missouri. Truss hardware and tension rods, forged steel.
Toft – Ketterer Residence, Ladue Missouri. Chandeliers, sconces and firescreen, forged steel.
2008
Peggy Kobusch, St. Louis, Missouri. Spider Fountain, forged copper.
Frank and Penny McGowan, Flowery Branch, Georgia. Calla garden fountain, forged copper
Mooney Residence, St Louis Missouri. Two arched gallery grills, forged steel.
Kabler Residence, Columbia Missouri. Courtyard gate and railing, forged steel.
2007
Pat and Marsha Dubbert, Jefferson City Missouri, Stairway and foyer railings, forged steel.
City of Columbia, Missouri, Wabash 808, sculpture for city transit station,forged steel.
2006
Travis and Rachel Brown, Columbia, Missouri. Driveway entry gates, forged and fabricated steel.
Martin Goebel, St. Louis,Missouri. Forged steel chaiselounge.
Lauren Markow, St. Louis, Missouri. In a Hearthbeat, Firescreen, forged steel and copper.
2005
Skip and Dasisy Grossnickle, Columbia, Missouri. Balcony railings, forged steel.
Unity Center, Columbia, Missouri, Dove of Peace, exterior wall sculpture, stainless and mild steel.
2004
Stephen and Michele Trulaske , St. Louis, Missouri. Woodlands Arch, Assorted Exterior Lamps, forged steel.
Chuck and Nanette Weber, Jefferson City, Missouri. Floral Window Sculpture, forged steel.
Matt and Beni Jaro, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Kitchen Range Hood, forged and fabricated steel.
Skip and Dasisy Grossnickle, Columbia, Missouri. Dining Room Gate, forged steel.
2003
Smithsonian Kite Exhibit, Washington, D.C., “Kite” Finalist. Festival Competition, copper and steel.
Phyllis Terminstein, St. Louis, Missouri. Crept Volante Fountain Sculpture, forged copper and stainless. Arbor, forged steel.
Stephen and Michelle Trulaske, St. Louis, Missouri. Courtyard Gate, forged steel. Kitchen Range Hood, forged and fabricated steel.
2002
James Schniethorst , St. Louis, Missouri. Cocktail tables, forged steel & glass.
Peggy Kobusch, St. Louis, Missouri. Fire screen, Interior bi-fold gate, forged steel.
C.L. Richardson, Ashland Missouri. Bluegrass South signage, forged steel.
2001
Bud and Sandy Farmer, Jefferson City, Missouri. Pineapple window sculpture, forged steel
Chuck Lay, Columbia, Missouri. Fireplace Hood, forged copper
Larry and Carole Bader, Columbia, Missouri. Turnbull forged steel sculpture.
Laren And Donna Haslag, Loose Creek, Missouri. Prairie Hunt forged steel sculpture.
Kary Matthews, St. Louis, Missouri. Dogwood Gates and estate fencing, forged steel.
Frank and Penny McGowan, Flowery Branch, Georgia. Dogwood newel post and stair railing, forged steel.
Stephen and Michele Trulaske, St. Louis, Missouri. Boat House Range Hood, forged steel
Boone County National Bank, Columbia, Missouri. “Heron” forged steel sculpture.
Peggy Kobusch, St. Louis, Missouri. Stair Railing, Chandelier, forged steel.
2000
Laren and Donna Haslag, Loose Creek, Missouri. “Pheasant” Firescreen, forged steel.
Senator Jack and Mrs. Danforth, St. Louis, Missouri. “Gymnastique” forged copper sculpture.
Stephen and Michele Trulaske, St. Louis Missouri. Wineglass Chandelier, forged steel.
Doug and Julie Muhlman, St. Louis, Missouri. Chandelier, cocktail table, forged steel.
Dr. Ken Rowan, Jefferson City, Missouri. Dogwood newel and stair railing, forged steel.
Buddy and Sandy Farmer, Jefferson City, Missouri. Chandelier, forged steel &slumped glass.
1999
D.V. and Martha Anne Claiborne, Jefferson City, Missouri. Firescreen & Chimney Cap.
Jones, Schneider & Bartlett Law Offices, Columbia, Missouri. Gates and Fencing, forged steel.
Buddy and Sandy Farmer, Jefferson City, Missouri. Stair Railing, forged steel.
Stephen and Michele Trulaske, St Louis, Missouri. Range Hood, forged steel.
Dr. Larry and Carole Bader, Columbia, Missouri. Cocktail Table, forged steel.
Robin Armbruster, Columbia Missouri, Fountain, stainless steel and ceramic.
1998
Randy and Fiona Woods, St. Louis, Missouri. Dead Goose weathervane, copper, steel.
Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Charles Missouri. Hymn of Creation wall sculpture, forged steel.
Robin Armbruster, Columbia, Missouri. Front Door, stainless, copper, Cattail Mailbox, steel
1997
Senator and Mrs. John Danforth, Rolla, Missouri. Ranch gate
Stone Hill Winery, Hermann, Missouri. Railings, chandelier
Peggy Kobusch Residence, St. Louis, Missouri. Gate, grillwork,coffee table, fire screen, vaulted ceiling arches set in wood trusses
1996
Datastorm Technologies Inc., Columbia, Missouri. Orby Icon, forged steel sculpture
Schneithorst’s Restaurant, St. Louis, Missouri. Light fixtures, door pulls, archways
1994
Senator and Mrs. John Danforth, St. Louis, Missouri. Sculpture, stair railing, parrot door knocker, door hardware
Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Charles, Missouri. Forged steel crosses
Newman Center, Columbia, Missouri. Cross, 30-foot stainless steel
Ellis Fischel Hospital, University of Missouri, Columbia. Grill for 52-foot window well, forged steel
1993
Drs. Greenberg-Parks Residence, Columbia, Missouri. Fireplace doors and coffee table, forged steel
1991
Casualty Indemnity Exchange, Jefferson City, Missouri. Gates, railings, sculpture
St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Columbia, Missouri. Outdoor Sculpture
1989
United Church of Christ, Hartsburg, Missouri. Exterior cross sculpture, steeple cross
Leslie Waldheim Residence, St. Louis, Missouri. Copper weathervane, seven-foot pterodactyl; dragon fire-screen
Les Bourgeois Winery and vineyards, Rocheport, Missouri. Fireplace screen, decorative gate, tables and chairs
Boone Tavern, Columbia, Missouri. Gazebo sign
St. Louis Zoo,St. Louis, Missouri. Jungle of the Apes sign
Wesley United Methodist Church, Jefferson City, Missouri. Sanctuary, exterior and baptismal crosses
1988
National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute,Washington, D.C. Leaf and stem ornamentation for restaurant signage
1987
Hermanhof Winery and Festhalle,Hermann, Missouri. Gates, railing
1986
William Klinger Inn, Hermann, Missouri. Decorative fence and gates
1985
Kellog Company Building, Battle Creek, Michigan. Six forged steel servery signs
1984
McElroy Residence, Jefferson City, Missouri. Fireplace/furnace