Jonathan Stringer is now building up his own workshop and studio close to Castle Howard, in North Yorkshire where he plans to work full time as an artist blacksmith. Jonathan’s work is a combination of large abstract outdoor sculpture and innovative indoor furnishings. He makes use of traditional Blacksmithing techniques and modern manufacturing processes such as water-jet and computer CNC laser cutting. He describes his work as "A fusion of 21st century abstract sculpture and 18th century decorative Rococo ironwork."

Since graduating with a BA (hons) in Artistic Blacksmithing from Hereford College of Art in 2008 he exhibited at the New Designers exhibition in London where he secured several commissions and future exhibition opportunities. Jonathan says, "It's early days but I’m getting there. My goal is to be a sculptor full time and do this for the rest of my life".

Jonathan left school with no qualifications and started working in computer systems, first in Leeds and then in London. Jonathan had always enjoyed art, spending his spare time in London visiting galleries and making work. Some of his friends suggested he should give art school a try, so he moved back to his home town of Leeds. As he’d never been through art education, at the age of 34 Jonathan started on the Access course at Leeds College of Art & Design. "Financially it was a pretty radical move," said Jonathan. "I’d be working a lot harder for a lot less but I’d be a lot happier."

Jonathan spent two years at Leeds College of Art & Design on the Access course, during which he experimented in drawing, photography, ceramics and metal work. He describes his time at the college as "Great, it’s a very free environment, we had loads of room and it was great to meet people. If you had an idea, no matter what it was the tutors just said "yeah, let’s try it". No one ever said 'no'."

When it came to choosing a degree course Jonathan wanted to study at another specialist art college working in metal. He narrowed his options down to Sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art and Artistic Blacksmithing at Hereford College of Art. "It was a really hard choice, but what lured me onto the course at Hereford was the huge workshop – I looked at it and thought, 'Wow.'"

The Artistic Blacksmithing BA at Hereford is the only one of its kind in Europe. Jonathan commented, "I spent the first year experimenting, then by the time I’d got to third year I had a grip on what I wanted to make and why I wanted to make it. I love the form of jet engines and ideas of speed, flight and motion. I wanted to create beautiful pieces out of steel."

"It's been a good journey," says Jonathan. "The staff at both Hereford and Leeds have always wanted to get the best out of me."

You can find out more about Jonathan's work on his website, http://www.roguesculpture.com/