Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Isaac ANGUIANO. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Isaac, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I went into a new job for welding for short term. ended staying for more than 5 years and took over the business

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Isaac Anguiano and I have been welding for 17 years. I worked at my uncle’s sheet metal shop and was intrigued when I saw welders installing balconies. I decided to pursue my own welding career after that and started welding in 2007 at Ventura City College. I was introduced to David Shelton at my uncle’s shop and started working with him full time in 2015. I started fabricating architectural designs for architect Jeff Shelton as well as other structural and ornamental fabrications. When David retired at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I took over the shop.

I provide a range of welding and metal fabrication services, working with steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, bronze and copper. I provide a lot of structural and repair welding services but have found my niche and passion in ornamental ironworking. I have the most fun exercising my artistry and creativity by making unique and artistic fabrications that lend themselves to sculpture.

At Isaac Ornamental, we work closely with clients to understand their visions’ and make them come to life. If they want whimsical and dreamy, we can do that, or if they want clean and rigid, we can do that too. Few people understand how metal can be sculpted so we help them to understand the possibilities of their visions, and the limitations of the metal. Then we design and fabricate from start to finish.

The metal work I like to do most emphasizes an organic flow with lots of natural curves, this is achieved by making parts freehanded when we can with the use of the torch and plasma cutter, hydraulic benders/pressers, and other metal shaping tools. I think about weight, gravity, flow, and fabric a lot when creating in this organic and whimsical style.

I participated in ESAB’s ruler of the flame contest and they sponsored me to visit them in New York and work on a project with my favorite artist, David Madero. I’m proud that I’ve made a career out of my passion and that I’m still doing what I love. The work is demanding but I can see myself enjoying this forever, there’s always more to learn about welding and ironworking.

I want my clients to dream big and to help them think outside of the box, and make truly one of a kind objects and installations.

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We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

when 2019 was ending and the start of 2020 was around the corner the future was a big question mark. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was going to start a new journey running a business.

I decided to take my last vacation before the start of 2020 went to Japan and then Chicago for fab tech. the reason for Chicago trip was to see David Madero work on a sculpture in person. As soon as I found out David was going to be doing a live sculpture demonstration for esab I bought my ticket without no second guesses.

well with the start of the pandemic and work slowing down and everything being knew to me about the business I knew I had to put everything to the business. early days, late nights and weekends. I even took out my 401k and out into the business so I can continue my operation and paying my employees.

it’s been a roller coaster ride trying to manage a regular life, off road racing and business.

But I wouldn’t change a thing.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I let the business life consume so much that after 3 years I forgot to take a vacation.

now I’m trying to have a balance and separate work and life.

one difficult thing for me is to make time for my sculpture or inspiration of art that I want to me.

one forgets to enjoy life and how time is something were not getting back .

Contact Info:

• Instagram: isaac_ornamental_metal

Image Credits

friends and family