On a recent trip with my brother to pick up new (but used) windsurfing gear, we stopped for the night at my friend’s family farm… the Mross’ place, just outside of Eugene.
It’s also the home of the Master Metalsmith’s of Archive Designs, and I got to spend the night there and drive home the next day.
The Mross family are local Oregonians, that have a successful home business, Archive Designs, who custom design and fabricate highly-crafted and detail-orientated metalwork of all kinds.
Their work ends up all across the country, whether sculpture, furniture design, or much larger architectural installations. Under Joseph Mross’ direction, & Father Gene Mross, the business continues to grow and expand. Joe’s Sister, Laurie Cox, is considered to be one of the best repose (copper relief) artists in the land.
It’s actually a really inspiring thing to see. A real guiding light in these times; a family-run business, creating custom designed, high quality, long-lasting metalwork, and here it is based in Oregon! Their work has been featured in all kinds of magazine publications, from Home & Garden, to Old House Interiors, and more locally in the Eugene Weekly.
In their spare time the folks of Archive Designs explore other creative realms, such as the parallel world of Steampunk, navigated by the very real and imagined Steam Walker, “Teluriz” designed & built by Joe Mross’ …and the Lost Nomads of Vulcania (on Facebook).
It was wonderful to photograph this giant walking sculpture at night! The retro-futuristic/victorian-esque, star wars walker was featured at the Burningman Festival at Black Rock, Nevada. I managed to get a really nice timed exposure at night with one of Joe’s smaller walker creations.
Archive Designs have an annual steampunk party each October just before Halloween, music, bands, and food.
You can contact the Mross’ at: https://www.archivedesigns.com/ or vista them on Instagram at #archivedesigns, or on Facebook.
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