The artist signature

In tradition, artists in metal "signed" their work with a touchmark. A touchmark is usually an acronym or symbol which represents an individual or shop. It's like the artist's signature, on the bottom of a painting... very important in identifying a particular artists work or placing it in their timeline of work.

Matthew and I sign our railings, and if you look, usually in the lower right newel post (as you face the stairs) you'll find our touchmark. Other times it is more hidden and you have to look for it. 

My own personal touchmark & stamp, which I made & started to use in 2004

In individual candelabras and small items that we've made, Matthew uses his small touchmark "m", and/or I use my "k" if we work alone. 

To get technical, the touchmark stamp is usually a stamp or punch with a positive image (reversed or symmetrical) which is indented as a negative image. It has to be made from a steel hardened more than the heated steel you'll be hammering into, so the stamp will last with repeat use Once you've made your stamp, it can last for quite a long time. After years of use, they will definitely show some wear and at some point can be replaced. Often smiths use their initials, and other times a symbol. 

The medieval guilds of Europe established and maintained registries which their patrons knew of, to identify work by different individuals or shops. Today, there is no such database or collection of touchmarks globally. There are a few small groups which have started local registries, but no comprehensive and widely acknowledged registry of artists touchmarks correlated to contact information.

local registries:
Indiana Blacksmiths: http://www.indianablacksmithing.org/touchmarks/

Northern Rockies Blacksmith Association: http://www.hallowellco.com/nrba%20touchmarks.htm

Below is a sample of the touchmarks used in our shop:

Maynard Studios Touchmarks (from top)
#1 Maynard Studios, 1999+
#2 Matthew Maynard, small works 1999+
#3 Karine Maynard 2004 +
#4 Collaborative 2005+ (guest artists & Maynard Studios)

After ten years in graphics for ABANA (Artist Blacksmith Association of North America), Linda Murphy has taken on the job of compiling a registry today, . She has also started a "touchmark garden" at her home in California and has a facebook page full of photos, and a touching article in the Anvil's Ring with photos that you can find here:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3064871267760.2158055.1442853596&type=3

 If you are a smith and would like to send Linda Murphy your touchmark, snail mail a sample to Murphy Collection Touchmark Garden - P.O. Box 834 - Cedar Ridge, CA 95924. She asks that you please include a pebble from your part of the world to add to the lucky pebble collection as well, and also *very important*, please include information on yourself for the portfolio of the smiths that will be on display at smithing events she attends in the future.

...leaving Louisville

After many months of hard labor heating, hammering, bending, twisting, welding, grinding & finishing- we've recently finished the final component of a large railing commission in Louisville.

The master railing commission started like most, with hand-sketched designs; my husband Matthew focused on the cascading steps and I scribbled out ideas for the center balcony until we were satisfied and combined both drawings. It really turned out well, and I have to say that it is one of my new favorite designs to date.

It's accents include door pulls and intertwined latch that we also designed and installed. The exterior door pulls give a hint to the visitor when they come up the front walk, a glimpse of what they might see once they open the door.

This home also has a short railing on the back staircase which is much more clean, simple and contemporary. 

The lock set (at top) was commissioned from
 Artist/Blacksmith Marsha Nelson.

Upon leaving a home after an installation, I am often overcome with emotions similar to when I've sent one of my kids off to camp. Sometimes I pat the railing and say a little "goodbye", (which is not unlike the feelings I've experienced after having installed large canvas paintings in an art gallery). A little piece of our lives feels as if it's being left behind. With lock and latch installed and working... the "KaCHUNK!" noise the latch made when the homeowner shut the front door was the perfect, "I'll be fine," response.

Forging Ahead

So Matthew and I had our first "review" in a national magazine. The product review is cute and it's short. There wasn't even an official interview or anything, they just took information off the net & what was available! I think they did a pretty good job, considering... and my blog title got a mention. 

(AND  I should mention that I love, love, love Style 1900 Magazine. Thank you, Style 1900!)

If you can't read the little writing (underneath the photo of our Candelabra) I've typed and pasted it below:

Style 1900 : Forging ahead with Maynard Studios

Maynard Studios' forged-steel stair rails, furniture, fireplace screens and wine racks have the fluid fervor of a bumblebee in flight. Husband-and-wife blacksmiths Karine and Matthew Maynard cast a keen eye toward the interplay of solid substances and open space- most magically, perhaps, in their sinuous, sensual Art Nouveau candelabras. "I lean toward drippy, whipping lines," says Matthew, a self-taught artisan who's been interested in Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Arts and Crafts since he  was a kid. Karine, a "stay-at-home welder," has been attracted to such pursuits since childhood. "I preferred mud puddles to Barbie dolls, and found mischief with dirt under my fingernails," she recalls. Maynard Studios, 1986 Fox Creek Rd., Lawrenceburg, KY 40342, (502) 859-3170 or maynardstudios.com

* * *

And since the title of my blog and this review mention: I realize I've not yet posted a picture of our family! I'm not exactly chasing after toddlers any more.. as the "stay-at-home" part might lead you to believe... The kids are now 21, 18 and almost 17. My oldest is travelling around Europe this semester with his college (Univ of Wisconsin), my middle one is a Senior in High School & on his way to the Univ of Minnesota in the Fall on a Marine NROTC scholarship, and my daughter is almost 17 & a Junior at a Magnet High School, thinking of becoming an Engineer or an Architect. With this soon to be "empty nest" I'm enjoying all the projects and working with my husband every day, while the kids are busy young adults.
Our small business is on the same property as our home, and that's why Ted (at the local weld shop)
called me "The Stay At Home Welder".

Karine, Elaine, Ford, Jakob & Matthew