The brochure of the Haw Creek Forge reads, “Continuing the Tradition of Handcrafted in the Mountains.”  Catherine Murphy’s artistic metal sculptures were borne from her roots as a child insect-collector and her career as a welder.  To this she added her talent as an artist and for the past fifteen years, Catherine has been creating and selling bugs, butterflies, frogs and flowers among other insects, reptiles, birds, and plants.   

For fifteen years prior, Catherine could be found throughout the southeast, working on a high rise or building power plants and paper mills as a construction welder.  In 1990, she returned to North Carolina to sell welding supplies.  In addition to on-the-job training, Catherine attended Hobart Institute of Welding Technology and numerous other schools and craft workshops that led her to the beauty of copper.  She studied blacksmithing and metalwork at the John C. Campbell Folk School.

Working in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, North Carolina, Catherine says, “Metal has always been my thing because I am a welder.  I am intrigued by it.” 

All of her pieces are handcrafted and designed for outdoor use and weather beautifully.  The shiny red of her ladybugs and the luminous green of her hummingbirds are as striking as the paint on a new automobile.  In fact, this welder-turned-sculptor uses automotive lacquer to seal in colors and keep her work from fading. 

“I have become well-known for my finishes,” Murphy says.  “Part of the appeal of my designs is the simplicity.  Most people are really drawn to the attention to detail.  A lot of entomologists shop with me because I get it right.  That’s pretty flattering, to have bug specialists buy from me.” 

“I am able to combine my technical skills as a welder and a love of metal with my favorite school project as a child, assembling an insect collection.  Many creations later, my inspiration has grown to include all of nature, allowing me to find creativity and satisfaction in the work that has become my life.”

Recently Catherine has studied with Charles Lewton-Brain to learn the fold forming technique he has developed over the years.  This technique involves folding of copper to create lines to take a two-dimensional piece to a three-dimensional piece.  The patination is achieved through the use of chemicals and torch heat.  Catherine’s artwork in this medium is receiving rave reviews from peers and established artists.   

Catherine’s designs are available online at http://www.hawcreekforge.com.  They are also sold in select gift shops, art galleries, garden shops, museum stores, and botanical gardens throughout the country and make great holiday gifts.

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