Hilda Cardona has been toiling away in Frogtown for more than twelve years. In her blacksmith shop, she and her craftsmen heat and hammer and shape metal into ornate fixtures, furniture and art pieces. There's only one thing missing from this old fashioned workplace–Hilda's husband Jorge.
Hilda's craftsmen, Naufel Valladares and Rafael Moreno (above) spend their days forging raw steel into finished pieces, while a photo of Jorge Cardona (below) gazes down from the wall. Jorge has been Mexico for the past three years while his immigration status is resolved. Hilda speaks of him constantly, and hopes he can return soon.
In Jorge's absence, the hot, grimy work of shaping steel goes on. Hilda designs and manages the work.
Unlike a lot of other local ironworks, Hilda's operation hand forges all of its pieces, including furniture, frames and ornamental fixtures.
The old proverb, "Idle hand are the devil's workshop" comes to mind.
In my studio visits, I never quite know what to expect. Below, I caught Rafael during a moment at the welding table. It has become one of my all-time favorite photographs.
This year Cardona's Iron Works will be part of the Frogtown Artwalk for the first time, showing the products they make using old school traditions. 1959 Blake Ave # P
323.422.5713.