Thomas Bredlow

==Blacksmithing and metal design==

==Blacksmithing and metal design==

Bredlow opened his first shop in 1964. It was a partnership called “Bredlow and Sawicki.” Walter Sawicki was an educator and the first president of the International Designers Guild. The first paying customer ordered a door knocker. The partnership was short lived and by 1965 Bredlow had opened his own studio-shop in Plaza Antigua at Campbell Avenue and Limberlost Drive in [[Tucson]], [[Arizona]] called “Tom Bredlow Blacksmith”. From the studio he sold Andirons, Fire Screens, and other ornamental objects. The sound of his hammer at his forge was a constant in the shop plaza.Tucson Daily Citizen, Windy: Tom Bredlow Blacksmith, November 14, 1966, 19Arizona Daily Star, Plaza Antigua Teems With Art Pursuits, December 7, 1966, 14.

Bredlow opened his first shop in 1964. It was a partnership called “Bredlow and Sawicki.” Walter Sawicki was an educator and the first president of the International Designers Guild. The first paying customer ordered a [[door knocker]]. The partnership was short lived and by 1965 Bredlow had opened his own studio-shop in Plaza Antigua at Campbell Avenue and Limberlost Drive in [[Tucson]], [[Arizona]] called “Tom Bredlow Blacksmith”. From the studio he sold Andirons, Fire Screens, and other ornamental objects. The sound of his hammer at his forge was a constant in the shop plaza.Tucson Daily Citizen, Windy: Tom Bredlow Blacksmith, November 14, 1966, 19Arizona Daily Star, Plaza Antigua Teems With Art Pursuits, December 7, 1966, 14.

During this period he specialized in reproducing metal products used “on the Arizona frontier” and developed an iron rose that would become a hallmark of his work.Tucson Daily Citizen, Vs. Vaqueros, Tom Bredlow the Blacksmith, February 6, 1967, 30 In 1966, Bredlow participated in a gallery show at the [[Ettore DeGrazia|DeGrazia Studio]], at 3568 Campbell Avenue with Cornelius Fiske, Gene Thorn, Natalie Norris, Nick DeGrazia and Madeline Nachriner.Arist, Crafts Show Set at De Grazia Studio.

During this period he specialized in reproducing metal products used “on the Arizona frontier” and developed an iron rose that would become a hallmark of his work.Tucson Daily Citizen, Vs. Vaqueros, Tom Bredlow the Blacksmith, February 6, 1967, 30 In 1966, Bredlow participated in a gallery show at the [[Ettore DeGrazia|DeGrazia Studio]], at 3568 Campbell Avenue with Cornelius Fiske, Gene Thorn, Natalie Norris, Nick DeGrazia and Madeline Nachriner.Arist, Crafts Show Set at De Grazia Studio.

In 1967 Bredlow was commissioned to produce a large hand forged stair-railing and Gate for the Arizona Mortuary at 3rd and Stone in [[Tucson]].Tucson Daily Citizen, Windy: Tom Bredlow Blacksmith, February 13, 1967, 13 The local Arizona newspapers began to recognize that his work was art more than function and produced a number of profile articles that raised his notoriety.Tucson Daily Citizen, Romantic February: Tom Bredlow Blacksmith, February 5, 1968, 11.

In 1967 Bredlow was commissioned to produce a large hand forged stair-railing and Gate for the Arizona Mortuary at 3rd and Stone in [[Tucson]].Tucson Daily Citizen, Windy: Tom Bredlow Blacksmith, February 13, 1967, 13 The local Arizona newspapers began to recognize that his work was art more than function and produced a number of profile articles that raised his notoriety.Tucson Daily Citizen, Romantic February: Tom Bredlow Blacksmith, February 5, 1968, 11.

In December 1968, Cele Peterson, a noted fashion designer and personality, held a Bredlow exhibition at her downtown store and showroom. Bredlow at the time of the exhibit described his work as, “plain and ornamental forgings.”McCune, Cathryn, Arizona Daily Star, Blacksmith Art Delicate Yet Tough, December 8, 1968, 44. In 1970 the Boyer Gallery again presented the exhibition “little animals” of his figure work.McCune, Cathryn, Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Art Showings Are Many, April 5, 1970, 41. The Tucson Daily Citizen wrote, “Bredlow is a mathematician, a machinist and student of the lore and heritage of the old West. A blacksmith with a scholarly turn, Bredlow draws inspiration from ethnic, contemporary, ancient Chinese and Spanish Colonial examples of wrought iron work. [...] Brewlow’s affinity for animals is reflected in his current exhibition at the Boyer.” The works presented were titled, “Quail 3,” "Chow Stretch,” “Owl, 1” “Owl, 2” “Coyote”, "Sow Stalk,” “Hmmm, Tasty” and 11 others.Tucson Daily Citizen, Blacksmith’s Art Showing At Boyer, April 18, 1970, 70. P. Nevitt, vice president of the [[Paine Art Center and Gardens]] in [[Oshkosh, Wisconsin|Oshkosh]], [[Wisconsin]] contributed an essay for the 1969 exhibition catalog.McCune Cathryn, Arizona Daily Star, Blacksmith twitsMetal Into Ornamental Shapes, March 31, 1968, 19.

In December 1968, Cele Peterson, a noted fashion designer and personality, held a Bredlow exhibition at her downtown store and showroom. Bredlow at the time of the exhibit described his work as, “plain and ornamental forgings.”McCune, Cathryn, Arizona Daily Star, Blacksmith Art Delicate Yet Tough, December 8, 1968, 44. In 1970 the Boyer Gallery again presented the exhibition “little animals” of his figure work.McCune, Cathryn, Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Art Showings Are Many, April 5, 1970, 41. The Tucson Daily Citizen wrote, “Bredlow is a mathematician, a machinist and student of the lore and heritage of the [[American frontier|old West]]. A blacksmith with a scholarly turn, Bredlow draws inspiration from ethnic, contemporary, ancient Chinese and Spanish Colonial examples of wrought iron work. [...] Brewlow’s affinity for animals is reflected in his current exhibition at the Boyer.” The works presented were titled, “Quail 3,” "Chow Stretch,” “Owl, 1” “Owl, 2” “Coyote”, "Sow Stalk,” “Hmmm, Tasty” and 11 others.Tucson Daily Citizen, Blacksmith’s Art Showing At Boyer, April 18, 1970, 70. P. Nevitt, vice president of the [[Paine Art Center and Gardens]] in [[Oshkosh, Wisconsin|Oshkosh]], [[Wisconsin]] contributed an essay for the 1969 exhibition catalog.McCune Cathryn, Arizona Daily Star, Blacksmith twitsMetal Into Ornamental Shapes, March 31, 1968, 19.

In the summer of 1970, after a completing commission replacing a stolen candlestick, created by [[Samuel Yellin]], for the [[Washington National Cathedral]], Bredlow was commissioned to create the first pair of gates for the landmark structure. In 1971 he traveled to Washington to oversee the installation of the first gates and while there, he received a second commission for a gate in passageway to a balcony.

In the summer of 1970, after a completing commission replacing a stolen candlestick, created by [[Samuel Yellin]], for the [[Washington National Cathedral]], Bredlow was commissioned to create the first pair of gates for the landmark structure. In 1971 he traveled to Washington to oversee the installation of the first gates and while there, he received a second commission for a gate in passageway to a balcony.