Artist Statement
 I
originally starting banging on metal (and heads) as an armored of
reproduction Japanese armour within a medieval recreation group (the SCA)
in 1972 or thereabouts. In 1983, I took my first blacksmithing course
(held by Dr. Carl van Arnum under the auspices of the Florida Artist
Blacksmith Association or FABA).
I got hooked. After studying with Fred Caylor (who corrected most of the
bad habits I got into from studying on my own from books) and taking a
course with Don Fogg at the
Campbell Folk School, I was off
into bladesmithing. I've been active in FABA since 1983 and have served as
trustee for several terms, Program Chairman, Editor, and (currently) as
Webmaster.
 I was honored to receive an honorary Ph.D* from FABA in 2000.
Kimmy is my partner and source of historical information as well as being
a copper and bronze worker, jeweler, enameller, and glass-bead maker (when
she isn't taking care of me).
We live in North Central Florida, near Archer (SW of Gainesville) with our
destruction of Rottweilers, an ancient cat (who keeps the dogs in line),
chickens, and the owl who lives in the shop (funny about that, the mouse
problem seems to have gone away).
The degree makes me a double doc - in 'real' life, I hold as Ph.D from the
University of Washington (Seattle) in Zoology and an M.S. in Computer
Science from UF. I'm currently employed as a senior researcher/programmer
in the Soil & Water Science Dept. at the University of Florida and run my
own environmental firm (Ecological
Data Consultants) in my abundant spare time.
 About
Dr. Steven Bloom
Dr. Bloom has done research in marine shallow-water systems since 1965
when he began working with Dr. Joseph Simon at the University of South
Florida on a benthic community characterization of Old Tampa Bay. He moved
onto work at Woods Hole's Marine Biological Laboratory on oil spill
dispersants and then onto the University of Washington in Seattle under
Dr. Alan Kohn. Dr. Bloom completed his doctoral work (on competitive
relations among dorid nudibranchs) in 1974 and returned to USF for a
post-doctorate position with Dr. Simon. He accepted a faculty position
with the Zoology Department of the University of Florida in 1976 and began
research programs focusing on benthic fauna of the Gulf Coast and on sea
grass competition.
Dr. Bloom has taught at institutions including the University of South
Florida, the University of Florida, the University of Washington, and the
Duke Marine Laboratory at Beaufort with courses in Marine Ecology,
Invertebrate Zoology, Integrated Marine Biology, Biological Photography,
General Ecology, Principles of Animal Biology, Coral Reef Ecology,
Reproduction and Habitat Selection Strategies, and Analytical Techniques
in Community Ecology.
In 1983, Dr. Bloom pursued his growing interest in computer software
development by earning an M.S. in computer science from the University of
Florida and moving to a position in the Soil and Water Science Department
as a Senior Programmer/Analyst where he is still employed.
Over the years, Dr. Bloom has authored several major software systems
including:
-
CAS The Community Analyses System : a
comprehensive software system for community analysis and multivariate
statistics
-
Distance testing System for Child and Youth Care Workers (State of
Illinois); and
-
WETLANDS: A two-dimensional finite-difference model including dynamic pond
and soil interactions and Priestley-Taylor evapotranspiration.
Dr. Bloom's clients have included the Army Corps of Engineers, Barry Vittor,
Inc., Breedlove and Associates, Environmental Science & Engineering Corp.,
Florida Department of Natural Resources, Florida Department of Transport,
Mote Marine Laboratories, Smithsonian Institution, Taylor Biological
Company, University of Illinois at Springfield, Center for Legal Studies,
and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. He provided them with services including
software engineering, remote testing systems, database management, and
statistical analyses.
Dr. Bloom is a member of Ecological Society of America, Southeastern
Estuarine Research Society, and Society of Sigma Xi and has authored or
co-authored over 36 publications in scientific journals.
Learn more about Steve at his website
Ironflower.com. where you can also find
a wealth of information!
You can
also view Steve's work at the Keyhole or
e-mail for more information. |
