Featured Artist of the Month - December 2024
Meet... Randy Stromsoe
"As a young man of 19, I began working with master silversmith, Porter Blanchard, who at the time was in his mid-80’s. His silver business was thriving and his clientele was impressive. I was quickly thrown into the mix and found myself in the unique position of having to work on, and be responsible for, challenging commissions.
"This is where I gleaned my knowledge of the tableware industry, and design. I was suddenly responsible for filling huge orders for some of the nation’s leading finest retail stores: Gump’s San Francisco; Bullocks Wilshire; Cartier; Fortunoff; Shreve, Crump & Low; and Gearys Beverly Hills, to name a few. In those days, these stores had flagship locations with internal art galleries where they offered one-of-a-kind high-ticket pieces.
"Fine silver was once a part of everyday life. The traditional dining table has changed with time, and the number of trained silversmiths has dwindled. Whether I am creating a contemporary pewter teapot or a traditional sterling silver flatware place
setting, I continue to draw upon the stories, instruction, memories, and unique skills that have been passed down from generations of silversmiths.
"As a lifelong surfer and hiker, I’ve always been attracted to the beauty of Big Sur and California’s Central Coast. I moved from Los Angeles to Cambria to start my own small studio in late 1979. We relocated to rural property outside Templeton in 2001.
"I am pleased to have recently rejoined Central Coast Sculptors and the newly expanding and evolving Craftmakers Group through the Central Coast Artists Collective. I was one of the original Craftmakers Group members and an active participant in the mid-1970s in what was a very strong group of local artisans exhibiting primarily at the then San Luis Obispo Art Center.
"Though my studio is an homage to many of the craftsmen that came before me, my current work continues to explore new shapes and techniques. It has been referred to as anything from table sculpture to fine art, to fine craft. Most pieces have a function, out of habit, but if they were 100 times the size, many could stand alone as permanent installation sculpture." —Randy Stromsoe
See Randy’s work in: Glad Tidings: New Work by Monterey Bay Metal Artists Guild, at Z-Folio Gallery, 750 Cannery Row, Monterey, through January 6. www.zfolio.com
A classically trained silversmith, Randy Stromsoe has over four decades of experience designing and creating fine art. His works are primarily handcrafted in sterling silver, pewter, copper, gold and wood. His designs and fine craftsmanship stem from extensive training under his late master, Porter Blanchard.
Randy’s long career has included crafting U.S. Presidential presentation pieces to be gifted to world leaders, for three U.S. Presidents. He was commissioned to make 649 pieces for the Los Angeles Papal Visit of Pope John Paul II, and his work has been shown in numerous prestigious exhibitions and publications.
Randy and his wife Lisa own and manage Stromsoe Studios on the Central Coast of California, which may be toured by appointment.
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