photos by Jared Boyd

At one point in time, blacksmithing was common place. But today, shaping metals with a hammer and anvil has nearly become a lost art form. Not so in the Durango workshop of Rod Pickett, who was filled with the urge to work with metal ever since he was a kid. And now, decades later, he has an impressive portfolio to represent his excitement for the trade. On most days, Rod can be found in his shop forging intricate and complicated shapes from a rack of mostly hand-made hammers and tools. His two sons, Lee and Thom, are picking up the trade as well. From budding flowers to elaborately intertwined leaves and vines, Rods talent is evident. Rod admits its dirty and often hard work. But given the child-like excitement he shows just talking about it, you can assume he doesn't mind much.