We receive a lot of art submissions from artists who use TAP to power their craft. But some submissions stand out.
Art doesn’t always have to stand for a cause – or to raise societal awareness or touch the lives of others.
But it’s really cool when it does.
These two artists use their artwork to honor veterans. But it’s their talent, passion, and expertise, in addition to their subject matter, that really make these projects special.
Today, we’ll be sharing veteran art projects from Jimmy, a knifemaker at Amarillo Knife Works, and ceramic sculptor Cliff Leonard – and showcasing how their work touches the lives of veterans and their families.
Honoring the Veterans of USS Texas with Amarillo Knives
When Jimmy from Amarillo Knife Works isn’t fishing, he’s making knives.
But these aren’t just any knives…
The Story of the USS Texas
Today, the USS Texas is dry-docked, undergoing restoration before its permanent move to Pier 15 in Galveston, Texas as a museum to the public.
But from March 1914 to April 1948, the USS Texas roamed the high seas. During that time, an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 sailors served onboard.
From protecting convoys during WWI to providing firing support for D-Day, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, the USS Texas played an instrumental role in our nation’s history – and an even more impactful role for the veterans who served onboard.
Between corrosion and leaks, the future of the USS Texas wasn’t always so certain. Over $60M and 300,000 man-hours in repairs were required to protect this piece of our history.
Fundraising efforts from a Texas knifemaking guild inspired Jimmy to combine his knifemaking talents with his desire to support veterans.
About Amarillo Knife Works
Jimmy Floyd was always more of a car guy. Seven years ago, his grandson came to him wanting to make knives. Jimmy looked up some information online and together they made some knives with a file.
For his grandson, this was a passing interest, but for Jimmy this was the start of a new passion. Eventually, he sold his beloved ’64 Nova, converted his car shop into a knife studio – and soon Jimmy was spending all of the time he wasn’t fishing on mastering the art of knifemaking.
His son, Jason (on Instagram as @top_notch_blades), also caught the passion for knifemaking, perfecting his craft at his father’s studio before opening his own. Jason went on to win Season 9 of The History Channel’s Forged in Fire competition.
Check out Jimmy’s son Jason Floyd compete in this episode of The History Channel’s Forged in Fire.
Veteran Art Project: Commemorative Blades for the USS Texas
Although Jimmy never served in the military, supporting U.S. veterans is a cause that’s near to his heart. One of his uncles served in the Navy during Vietnam. His father-in-law was a two-time Purple Heart recipient during WWII. A lot of his friends are vets.
Following the fundraiser for the USS Texas, Jimmy continued crafting blades for veterans and their family members.
Each blade is nickel-plated over a layered piece of steel from the ship’s hull. He uses laser engraving to capture the intricate details of the USS Texas. Even the handle is crafted from the wood of the ship’s deck.
Currently, Jimmy is working on a blade for a WWII vet who served in the 101st Airborne. This memorabilia is priceless – but Jimmy gives them away free of charge, only asking customers who aren’t associated with the ship to do something to help veterans or to contribute to a veteran organization.
We’re grateful he shared his story with us – and honored to help him power his studio kilns with TAP!
Make sure to give Amarillo Knife Works a follow on Instagram and Facebook!
Veteran Art Project: Honoring Veterans with Intricate Ceramic Busts
Cliff Leonard, a Vietnam War Veteran, didn’t become an artist until the age of 50.
“When I initially got into art, I was right at 50 years old,” writes Cliff. “I had never had any art training nor attempted to sculpt, paint, or draw anything.”
After a major medical event forced him to cut back on work, Cliff initially started with woodworking, seeking instruction from a local wood artist he read about in the newspaper.
Cliff spent the next several years attending art classes at a junior college and attending numerous week-long and weekend-long sculpting classes by various artists.
Through that process, Cliff eventually found his medium of choice: ceramics.
“My skill level, the cost factor, and the time it takes for a bust to be created from wood or stone pushed me into ceramics. The transition from a subtractive medium to a modeling medium was relatively quick. When I realized that if I made a mistake in wood versus clay, where all I had to do in clay was push the nose over versus starting over in wood, I was hooked on clay!”
Honoring Veterans Through His Art
At first, Cliff Leonard focused on creating whimsical sculptures – something to pass the time. But after being requested to sculpt a young Marine who was killed in Iraq, Cliff Leonard found his artistic calling:
“I completed the bust and gave it to his grandmother,” he writes. “Upon seeing the joy on her face and other family members, I was hooked on sculpting all of Jacksonville’s fallen Marines and Navy Corpsmen. That eventually led to all of Florida, as well as my brothers in my unit in Vietnam from 1966-67.”
Cliff Leonard found his artistic passion – creating busts to honor fallen Marines and Navy Corpsmen.
Cliff has gone on to create more than 50 of these lifelike busts, which he gives to their families. He doesn’t charge for his work, instead using these veteran art projects as a thank you, a commemoration – and, perhaps, a form of healing.
Choosing TAP to Power His Craft
Starting with an ancient kiln and an old school kiln sitter, Cliff had several pieces ruined in the firing process, before eventually finding TAP:
“After having ruined several pieces and the kiln, I purchased another larger kiln and had Jen-Ken Kilns recondition it. They suggested a new computerized kiln sitter called TAP that just came on the market. It could be attached to the wall and had an interface with my kiln via touchscreen. I was hooked!”
Using a TAP controller significantly streamlined the firing process for Cliff:
“TAP has saved me countless hours of having to attend to my kiln and has resulted in the pleasant loss of hours of worrying. When I fire up my kiln, TAP will ensure it fires precisely as I set it. Now I know when a piece comes out of the kiln with a problem, it results from my craftsmanship rather than the firing process. TAP has resulted in me becoming a better craftsman and having to worry significantly less. Thanks, TAP, for showing up right when I need you.”
Finding Inspiration for Your Own Artwork
Whether you’re making veteran art projects, or any other type of artwork that involves heat, we invite you to power your projects with the most advanced, easy-to-use kiln controllers on the market.
The TAP II and TAP II Pro Controllers by SDS Industries power your oven with intuitive touchscreen controls, extreme precision and reliability, and the ability to remotely control your oven through TAP Kiln Control Mobile. Plus, with unlimited firing schedules, you’ll be able to save all your schedules for all the different processes you use and mediums you work with. These features give you more control, consistency, flexibility, and peace of mind, so you can focus more on your craft.
Alternatively, the TAP&Go Single Setpoint Controller is a lower cost, single setpoint controller designed specifically for heat treat and bladesmithing – and TAP Micro is a lower cost process controller that is designed to be primarily controlled through your smartphone or tablet. These might be the perfect option for newer artists or those on a budget!
You can also purchase TAP Digital Controllers or TAP Controlled Knife or Blade Ovens through one of the following distributors:
- Evenheat
- Hot Shot Oven & Kiln
- Paragon Kilns
- Mobile Glassblowing Studios, LLC
- Jen-Ken Kilns
- Kiln Frog
- Sheffield Pottery
- Delphi Glass
Veteran Art Projects FAQ
Where can I support the restoration of the USS Texas?
Looking to help support the restoration of the USS Texas? You can purchase artisanal knives, pens, bottle openers, and more from Battleship Texas Artisans, each of which has been carefully crafted from battleship steel and/or deck wood from the USS Texas. Each of these veteran art projects comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity and includes a unique serial number.
All proceeds go directly towards supporting the restoration and preservation of the USS Texas.
Additionally, you can donate directly, volunteer your time, or purchase additional memorabilia to the Battleship Texas Foundation at battleshiptexas.org.
Where can I find more veteran art projects by Cliff Leonard and Jimmy Floyd?
Both Cliff Leonard and Jimmy Floyd are prolific artists, who have crafted far more art pieces than we were able to feature in this article.
You can find additional ceramic busts by Cliff Leonard on his website gallery – or learn more about the process and inspiration behind his veteran art projects on his YouTube channel.
For Jimmy Floyd, you can check out his evolution and the projects he’s currently working on on his Instagram and his Facebook.
If you appreciate their artwork, make sure to let them know – and give them a follow!
If I’m interested in learning more about creating my own kiln-fired art, where can I learn more?
Whether you’re interested in heat treating knives, firing glass, or firing ceramics, you need to make sure you have the right type of kiln, the right type of kiln controller, and the right types of firing schedules to power your craft.
If you’re just getting started, we encourage you to check out the following articles:
- Types of Kilns: An Informative Guide for Kiln Users
- 14 Types of Electric Kiln Temperature Controllers
- Understanding Kiln Firing Schedules for Glass, Ceramics, Pottery, and Heat Treat
These should give you a pretty solid foundation! From there, you can find more in-depth insights for everything kiln-related on our TAP IN Blog – or feel free to reach out if you need any help or have specific questions!
