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Work Space: Metal chasing not just for men |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Wednesday, 05 April 2006 |
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The biggest perk of Charlotte Lyster Kuhl’s job is she gets to create her own sculptures.
“I probably wouldn’t be able to do bronze sculptures if I didn’t work here,” she said.
Kuhl is a metal chaser at Art Castings of Colorado in Loveland. Every Wednesday, the foundry closes early so employees can spend the evening working on their own art. Metal chasing is one of several steps in the bronze sculpture lost-wax process.
Metal chasing involves removing unwanted metal from the sculpture with electric grinders and then re-creating the surface texture with smaller tools.
Though she has to be tough to work in a male-dominated factory, Kuhl doesn’t mind.
“You have to have thick skin in a man’s world,” she said. “That’s how you deal.”
Kuhl admits her male co-workers tend to have crude senses of humor, but said she dishes out just as much.
“It’s just a crude environment,” she said. “I look at it as funny. I may have to fight for respect sometimes, but I also have a great time with the guys.”
VITAL STATS
Name: Charlotte Lyster Kuhl, 41, Longmont
Company: Art Castins of Colorado
Title: Metal chaser
How long have you worked there? Seven years
Family: Married for 15 years and has a 15-year-old daughter
IN HER WORDS
What is it about this job that makes it challenging?
It’s physically draining at times. You have to know when to take a break or stop.
How do young/new employees get ahead?
It takes a couple of years to learn how to do what we do and to do the job right. I personally think you should want to do your own artwork if you are going to work here.
Did you ever think in a million years you’d work here?
No, but I did major in painting. Art just came natural to me. It’s one of the only things I’ve always been good at.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you do?
Working in clothing. I don’t know. I like clothing. I don’t think I could go into corporate America. I don’t think they would let me in. I’m a little too wild and free-spirited and I would say something that wouldn’t go over well with somebody. I would have to work in a little boutique.
What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done while at work?
I had a bust of an Indian on the table, and I bent down to sweep under the table. My shirt got caught on the Indian head and I pulled it onto my head. You have to always respect the tools. They will kick back and hit you. It’s a very hazardous job because the work is so physically hard.
Smartest?
Followed through with my dream by making a big marble piece. It took me two years. I followed through with my dream and am so proud I made it happen. It was a difficult piece, and I couldn’t have done it without my boys. I couldn’t have done my dream without the foundry.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done to make money?
Working at a fishing line factory. It was one of the weirdest things I’ve ever done. I did that in high school.
What’s the one thing you wish you could do on the job that you can’t right now?
Putting more energy into my own sculptures. Work can suck the creativity out of you. You can get so wiped out and worn out working on other people’s sculptures.
What do you do during your breaks?
Eat. Fuel up. Sometimes I play basketball with the guys. That’s kinda fun. Most of the time, I just relax. I’m constantly eating.
What’s one thing about your job you would do, even if you weren’t paid to do it?
I like the job, so that’s a tough one. I’d probably talk to the artist, even if I wasn’t getting paid to do it. I’m a people person and enjoy talking to them.
Name one thing in your life that really prepared you for your job.
Having five brothers and sisters. I’m the second youngest. I’m probably the baby. I cried a lot. They picked on me a lot. It’s a tough job, and I’m a tough girl, so I think that had a lot to do with it. I don’t get as emotional as I used to.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
Rollerblade. I was getting my groove on and thought I was really hot. I did a spin and landed on my right butt cheek so hard I thought I peed my pants. I’m also pretty big on getting organization back in my house on the weekends. I also try to sculpt on the weekends and do some sort of physical activity.
Pets?
I have a cat, Sabrina who’s a bitch. She doesn’t like anybody. We also have an indoor/ outdoor rabbit. We call him Bunny.
Favorite TV shows:
“Survivor,” “Entertainment Tonight” and “Top Model.” We don’t have cable. Movies. The love stories that make me cry like ‘The Notebook’. I’m a real sap for those.
Books.
I’m not a real big book reader, but I would have to lean toward Sydney Sheldon and Dean Koontz.
What’s the biggest payoff in your job?
Being able to learn and use the entire facility of the foundry for my own enhancement of my own work. Having access to everything to do what I want to do is the biggest reason why I’m there.
Are you the boss? Do you think you should be?
Basically I’m in charge of my own production. I do have a boss who checks my metal, but everybody has to police themselves. I believe I am in charge of myself and what I do. I have the freedom to work at my own pace. I could lay back and drag my feet, but I don’t do that. I always work really hard. Sometimes I work a little too aggressively.
What Web sites do you have bookmarked?
I’m not a big Web person. I usually use it for the sake of art. I do have Web sites of sirens bookmarked because I was doing work on them.
Where do you play?
I play probably with my gallery director when we go to art shows.
Go out to eat?
“My favorite is a good sushi bar.”
Favorite spot?
The mountains. I get inspired every time I go up to the mountains. I always feel better about myself.
Any interesting anecdotes?
“I’m a giver. I try to be supportive and always be positive. It’s real easy to get sucked into the negative. I always try to look at the good things that happen because life sure will throw you some loops.”
Makes you get out of bed in the morning?
It is hands-on which I love, and the creative part. Every day is different.
Things that impress you?
How difficult my job really is and that I can execute it.
Things that don’t.
When people pass judgment on what other people can and can’t do. I try not to do that. | Only registered users can write comments.
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