Strohmaier uses old iron to create beautiful works of art

Horse drawn carriages are a thing of the past ending their 300-year run in the early 20th century.

Tom Strohmaier of Lind has creatively taken the iron pieces from carriages and buggies and welded them together, bringing the iron back to life in giant sculptures.

Strohmaier, owner of T Stro Metal Art, is an Ag Econ graduate from Washington State University.

After graduating in 1980 he returned to his hometown of Lind to begin farming. He farmed roughly 3,000 acres of land until 2010 when he retired and moved into town. There he built a large shop with a beautiful deck to begin his retirement and creatively continued his skill of welding.

He acquired the horse drawn carriage parts originally from family, metal from old machinery, tools and other metal items were also found in the country.

When asked where his inspiration came from to build such detailed sculptures of wildlife he said he just looks at the pile of large iron axles, leaf springs, metal trim and any other object used to make horse drawn wagons and ideas just jump out.

He then begins cleaning up the pieces, grinding down the rust and dirt to expose the beautiful iron to weld. Once the pieces are welded together how he wants them, he covers the shiny welded portions with bleach water to return the metal to the rustic finish.

Strohmaier’s latest project creatively named “Steelhead Falls” took nearly two months to finish. The piece displays three salmon, made out of leaf springs and his signature red ball bearing eyes, and their struggle to swim up a waterfall. The detail in each piece is incredible and larger than life with this particular project weighing around 350 pounds and standing 6’ 10” tall.

An enormous eagle hovers at the top of the falls waiting for the approaching salmon, each weighing 25 pounds.

His shop is home to three large sculptures including a mother eagle feeding two babies in their nest and a giant preying mantis crawling through leaves feasting on an unlucky bug; a detailed multi-legged creature scurries away from the predator.

Just outside the shop around his home are other phenomenal pieces of art including a favorite piece of Strohmaiers, an elegant dancing couple, large scorpion and self-portrait of Strohmaier himself made completely out of wrenches of all sizes.

Just outside his recreation room full of great memories and more of his creative work.

The “Hardley Davidson” is parked holding a couple planters in the sidecar. Though the seat doesn’t look as though it can be sat on, it’s remarkably comfortable and stable.

“I’ve never owned a Harley so I’ll keep this one around,” stated Strohmaier of this stable iron beast.

The Sandhill Crane Festival in Othello is home to two cranes made by Strohmaier and he is interested in selling most of the pieces to the right buyer.

Though pictures don’t do the detailed and creative structures justice, information, photos and videos of the art can be found on Facebook at T Stro Metal Art.