Making art or auto repairs

MILFORD — The screech of a grinding wheel and flying sparks emanated from “The Tree,” a metal sculpture on which T. Kevin Fisher was working. Fisher, of Fisher Fabrications, has been welding pieces of metal together and creating other forms of art since he graduated from Central Michigan University in 1982 with a master’s degree in art, photography and painting. He has sold many pieces of his art work over the years. When he is not creating traditional works of art, Fisher generates income from welding motorcycle gas tanks, frames, exhaust systems and other motorcycle and automobile parts together for private customers. When he is finished with one of these projects he has created another form of “engine powered” art. The Courier came across Fisher, who was part of a small group of artists displaying and selling their creations, in front of the Golden Fish Gallery on Broad Street in Milford. Fisher and a few of the artists that display in the Golden Fish Gallery go there every few weeks and set up in front of the gallery to draw people, whom they hope will go in and be inspired to purchase something. “A good part of the last 25 years I have been part of the entertainment industry, building props and scenery for traveling Broadway shows that need things made of metal. They need pieces made of metal rather than wood because of the rough handling that takes place with traveling productions,” Fisher reported. Fisher, who lives in Dingmans Ferry but has a metal working shop in Milford, devotes his full time to his business. He moved to Dingmans about four years ago and has felt a significant financial pinch over the past few years due to a lack of business. “If things get much worse I’ll have to go out and get a real job,” Fisher remarked with a facial expression and tone of voice that suggested he’d rather not have to do that. When asked what the “T” stands for in his name, Fisher responded, “My father’s name is Thomas also and my mother didn’t want to call me Thomas Jr.” Fisher had an old Volkswagen “bug” body shell in his shop sitting up on blocks that had no engine, wheels, seats, or even glass in it. He said it is going to be a two-year project to turn the rusted out hollow “bug” into a souped-up beautiful car for his daughter. When the Courier left Fisher’s shop he was outside trying to figure out which one of the several auto rear ends, differentials, that he’d be working on for the rest of the day. And, of course, he’ll have to get back to finishing “The Tree” at some point. Those interested in metal work may call Fisher at 570 228-6101 and can also see his work at the Golden Fish Gallery in Milford.