Experience

Franz has had his own studio for 23 of the 25 years he has worked with iron. His combined love of the natural world, ability to problem solve, and artistic eye have made he and blacksmithing good partners. He has been a board member and President of Rocky Mountain Blacksmiths Association as well as the Francis Whitaker Blacksmith's Education Foundation where he has served since 1993.

Philosophy

Franz's design work is inspired by making connections to the elemental facets of context, whether contemporary, organic or other. “Traditional smithing is a great means of working with many kinds of styles and is surprisingly adaptable to a wide spectrum of applications.”