Metal Man

photo by Joe Samuelson III

This welded work of art can be found in the mountains

There's something about the simple way of life that appeals to a person. Maybe it's the self-reliance or maybe it's that the simple life isn't that simple at all. Although for a man named Damien Gormley none of that really matters because it's the simplicity of it all that makes life worth living in the first place.

It's hard not to admire a person who's become totally independent from the outside world. Self sustaining himself on a plot of land and essentially living off what that land has to offer. While some would cringe at the idea of harvesting vegetables in 40-degree weather as the wind kicks off their face; Gormley wouldn't have it any other way.

It's the world that surrounds him that makes it all worth it. The nature in a way seems to be his currency. Although the world that surrounds him is much more than something to simply observe and enjoy, for Gormley the world that surrounds him is his inspiration.

We walk up the stairs of the old cabin on the hill. Above the main living room area is his study. A small room crammed with a desk and a variety of gadgets and knickknacks. Papers and drawings are strewn about as he shuffles through the clutter to find me a pamphlet on his most recent works of art. He comes up empty handed and turns swiftly to a door as he walks me into the second floor of the barn.

"These are some pieces I've been working on in the past. I usually have a basic idea of what I want to do and just go with it. Although sometimes I just start working and see where it all ends up."

The pieces are varied. Most are steel and metal works, which are molded, formed and soldered together. He has a cabinet, which is still in the process of being completed. It's by no means typical and any person with any eye for talent can see the craftsmanship in the piece. He takes advantage of shape and form and balances it out carefully with contemporary ideas and angles. He explains that his recent inertest is making his pieces three-dimensional, something that can be appreciated from every perspective. He's modest about his endeavors as an artist.

While some people might push their talents on you, Gromley chooses to point you in a direction and let you wander around for a while. He lets you as an observer see what you can find for yourself.

"The farms a lot of work you know. This summer I've been so busy it's been difficult to concentrate on my art. I have some older pieces that I've been working on; I just haven't had the chance to finish what I started. I guess that's just the way it goes sometimes."

Gromley walks me into his house. It's modest but by no means shabby. He explains to me that he and friend recently did some work on the home, which now has electricity and running water. Things that most people would take for granted but for Gromley such commodities are nothing less than an added perk to his way of life.

"Before that we had one electrical socket in the house. Not exactly what you'd call easy living but that's way it goes sometimes."

He's a man that lives his life on the basics and a man that appears to base his mentality on that simple, fundamental, down to earth way of living. A way of living we all tend to forget.

Seen Gromley's work? Tell us about it!