MendocinoArts - Mendocino Art Center

through the misfit metal and come
Middletown. Collecting, refinishing,
up with some really great original
and appreciating antiques was a
creations. Putting it all together, I start
favorite pastime. They purchased
at the bottom and work my way up. I
the Macomber Ranch property in
cut and pre fit all pieces then grind all
1980 and completed their dream
the rust and dirt to bare metal where I
house just in time to welcome their
need to weld. Sharp and rough edges
son, Forrest.
must be ground smooth. I use a MIG
Tom had lots of work in
wire welder that has gas and argon mix
carpentry over the years and was
and an oxy-acetylene torch to heat and
running a successful business.
bend the metal. Occasionally I use
Everything changed in 1996, when
an air plasma cutter. Once the basic
Tom survived a near fatal heart attack
sculpture is created then I look for
and radical surgery to repair the
interesting items to dress it up and add
damage. After 30 years of carpentry,
to its character. When I am satisfied
he was forced to retire. With lots of
I give the bare metal a salt bath to
promote rust so the welds match the
Tom at work in his shop. Anna Macomber photo.
support from his family, he began
his cardiac rehabilitation and slowly
whole sculpture. When dry, I put a
started to get his life back. Not his
protective finish coat to seal and give the piece a finished old life, but a new one, with a greater appreciation for the
look. Then the fun part, picking a name and giving the smaller things. He had accomplished everything that he
creature life!”
had wanted to do in his trade. Now he had to “throw his
Tom was born in Fresno in 1941, and was raised with watch away.” No more stress or fast paced living.
his two brothers in Clearlake and Berkeley. He graduated With this new lifestyle came a new philosophy and
from Berkeley High in 1960 and spent six months in the the fulfillment of his dream to create sculptural art. “I
Army Reserve, after which he moved back to Clearlake. just love creating, it’s a great feeling. I believe that we all
At that time, they were just starting the Konocti Harbor have our niche, and we can find that niche if we just open
Inn, and his soon-to-be boss asked him, “Can you read a up our mind. Since rehabilitation, I don’t look at time as
tape measure?” He was a quick study and got a union job money anymore. I don’t keep track of my time when I am
doing commercial and industrial carpentry.
working on my art. I laugh and have fun with it. We are
Tom and Anna were married in 1975. They were only here for a short while.”
a great team and built a successful business together Tom is 70 years old and still enjoys making his art. His
buying and selling fixer-upper houses. They also bought work is in private and corporate collections all over the
and sold antiques, and had their own antique shop in world, and can be seen at the Mendocino Art Center.
Left to right: Horn Director. Larry Wagner photo. Kenmore Kat – inspired by an old Kenmore sewing machine. Anna Macomber photo.
Three Stooges Shovelback Bird. Larry Wagner photo.
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