A Little Bit About Doug
Doug is very proud of his Scottish heritage and has named his business after the Scots Gaelic version of his surname.
Caimbeuls Forge was set up by Doug in 2012 after he completed his course of study in Blacksmithing & Metal Work at Warwickshire College where, whilst under the tutelage of Bronze Medallist Master Blacksmith Michelle Parker FWCB (Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths), he obtained his BTEC Level 3 Diploma with a double distinction. During his time at college, he was also awarded the Certificate of Competency from the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.
After college, Doug was fortunate to work under the wing of Silver Medallist Master Blacksmith Steve Rook FWCB where he continued to develop his skills. Doug was further awarded a Certificate of Merit from the WCB in 2014 after demonstrating his progress as a working blacksmith. In May 2016 Doug was awarded the Diploma of Merit, becoming an Associate of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths (AWCB). He was formally presented with his Diploma in October 2016. In May 2020 Doug was further awarded the Bronze Medal, becoming a Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths (FWCB) and officially becoming a Master Blacksmith. He was formally presented with his Bronze Medal in October 2021.
Please follow the link in red below, if you are interested in learning more about the awards system with the WCB.
www.blacksmithscompany.co.uk/awards
For directions to the forge, please click the link in red below.
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Where Does It All Come From?
Doug enjoys working with different types of materials and using many different styles and techniques to create the pieces that are produced within his forge and always enjoys a challenge when one is placed in front of him.
There are many things that have influenced Doug on his creative journey and finds new and inspiring avenues all the time, but much of his inspiration is drawn from the indigenous tribal artwork and artifacts, particularly those of Borneo, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. He is particularly interested in transforming the traditional patterns and designs from tribal clothing, ornamentation, long houses and weaponry into contemporary sculptural pieces of functional art.
Alongside the inclusion of indigenous people's art he has also found beauty in the organic shapes to be found in bio-mechanical art and the sculptural forms and functions of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and the Arts and Crafts movement. Steel lends itself very well to the fluid forms found in the natural world and he has often found inspiration in the works of Karl Blossfelt and Ernst Haekel.
Doug takes great pride in his work and is very passionate about the craft of the blacksmith, he enjoys teaching, demonstrating and engaging with the public to exhibit his skills to ensure that this beautiful craft continues to flourish.
Art Nouvaeu inspired orchid lamp.
Background picture credit Chris Slaney Projects
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