Catherine Jo Morgan - Art for Energy™

800-305-0601

Ecstasy Forge - the Studio at Stonebank Farm

Catherine forging iron with brigid, the power hammer, in 2000
(Now in 2004, hair is long again.)

The Studio: Ecstasy Forge

In 1992, I was learning for the first time to make iron bowls completely spontaneously, from start to finish. At the same time, I struggled a bit to find a new name for my blacksmithing studio. Finally, after months of indecision, I sat down in the sun outdoors with the I Ching Workbook. I asked question after question. Finally, an answer came that amazed me. The I Ching reading was "Adaptation, leading to Creative Power." Oh - yes yes yes!

The name was Ecstasy Forge. As soon as I received the I Ching reading, the light dawned. Ecstasy is the one thing that can't be forced. Manipulation never leads to ecstasy. Advertising hype might promise ecstasy, but can't possible deliver it.

Later, the drug named Ecstasy took some of the wind out of my sails. But for me, ecstasy still means a state of being that can't be forced - to which one can only open. So Ecstasy Forge is a place where one uses love and imagination rather than force. It's a place where one chooses between the gesture of control, and the gesture of surrender - and chooses surrender, one moment at a time.

I name most of my tools, often after goddesses. The power hammer, a 25-lb. Little Giant, is named Brigid, for the goddess of blacksmithing.

In 1996 I taught "Expressiveness in Iron" at the John C. Campbell Folk School. During this class my own artist self grew so fierce and strong that when I came home to my studio, she demanded some changes. One of them was painting Brigid. This photo of Brigid was taken in March, 2000.

More about Catherine Jo Morgan:

Press Release

Artist Information Sheet

Artist Statement

Bio

One Page Resume

Full Resume

Testimonials - Iron Morgan Bowls

Chronology

The Studio - Ecstasy Forge

Early Journal on Process

Weblog: Hand Forged Vessels, an online artist journal

eBay "About Me" page

Additional keyword phrases that would help someone find this page include: Penland art school, blacksmith training, metal sculpture artist

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