About
Della Terra Studios
 |
Della Terra Studios
strives to be a "one stop shop" for all your architectural
and fine art needs. Our studio creates original functional
and sculptural art to satisfy the most discerning collector
and eclectic tastes. We never use imported or mass-produced
elements in our art work. |
What
sets us apart from our competition is our commitment to creating
authentic ironwork and glass using both modern and traditional
techniques. With our metal, every flower, vine, leaf, and finial
is meticulously hand-crafted by fire and hammer. Our pieces are
individually unique, hand crafted works of art. The difference
is the attention to detail and pride we take in every piece we
create. Our clients expect nothing less.
"Della
Terra" translates as "of the Earth". Since
most of the materials we use have a symbiotic and spiritual relationship
with the Earth, we felt the name complements what we do.
About the Artist,
Matt Weber 
As
a young child, Matt’s favorite toys were hand tools. On
many warm summer days, you could find Matt in his back yard tearing
down various odds and ends and re-assembling them into whatever
his imagination would suggest. Fueled by his curiosity and
home schooled engineering from his Grandfather, Matt’s obsession
with creating things with his hands has been the common denominator
throughout his life.
It
wasn’t until Jr. High School when Matt took a welding class
that the hook was set. Metal. This extremely hard
property from the Earth can be worked like clay. It can
be fused, twisted, manipulated into just about any shape your
heart desires. The only ingredient is a little heat.
Jumping forward approximately fifteen years, having a good job
that was paying for the tools Matt needed to make whatever his
heart desired, his artistic nature flourished and commissions
started to come in. Creating hand forged functional art
such as Chandeliers, early century light fixtures, and Gallery
sculpture. Matt spent this time learning all the skills
he could. He studied with Coppersmiths, Metal Casters, Jewelers,
Bronze Workers, and Blacksmiths. He also turned some of
his attention to Glass and started studying glass skills such
as Torchwork, Stained Glass, and Glass carvings. Matt loved
the way glass moved like metal when it was hot so much he set
up a small area in his studio to work hot glass. When the
day was done, the pull to art was too great to continue working
a full time job. Despite the fear, unknown future income,
and with the incredible support from his wife, Matt Weberleft
his job and went full time with Della Terra Studios ~ DTS.
Creating
functional art takes the mind of an engineer, and the heart and
soul of an artist. Matt attributes his shop skills and ability
to engineer a project in his mind to his Grandfather. “My Grandfather
is the kind of guy that can disassemble anything and fix it. He
instilled in me two very important things over the years. First,
if you are going to do anything, do it right the first time or
don’t do it at all. And second, you are only as good as your tools. Take
care of them and they will take care of you." Examples of this
work ethic can be seen in every hand forged piece that Matt creates.
“We all learn from others” Matt reflects. "Our God given talents
may take us to different levels, but no one just makes this up
on their own. We are inspired by the world around us and the masterpieces
that were created years ago. My inspiration is fed in part by
those that came before me. These were the tradesmen of their time
that did not know they were artists. Their work is stored in my
mind and I call on it to help me carry on the tradition. My tools
are old and weathered. While working in my studio my mind travels
to the previous owners of these tools. Who were they? What great
pieces of art or trade goods did they create with these tools? I
like to think they were all like me. And wherever they are at
now, they’re pleased to see their tools are still in use after
all these years. "I couldn’t imagine doing anything
else."
In
an effort to learn from others and share our knowledge of metalworking,
Matt Weber created the Metal Artist Forum. Here you will find
an incredible group of artists that are willing to share what
they know. Be sure to take a few moments and visit the forum
and view the wonderful metalwork.
Thank
you for visiting our site and we hope you enjoy your stay!
