Malcolm Johnson with Artist, Brad Oldham

On Wednesday, May 12, 2010, I went on a job shadow at Brad Oldham, Inc. with sculptor Brad Oldham. It was originally supposed to be another student with me, but she was unable to attend the shadow. I was able to have a one on one experience with Mr. Oldham. He showed me his showroom and a few pieces that he made in the past. He makes sculptures from steel, bronze, copper and resin, just to name a few. He has sculpted pieces that are displayed all over the nation. The most interesting piece he showed me was a four-story statue he made called “The Traveling Man”, which is located in Deep Ellum.

I was able to tour his workshop where he brings most of his creations to life. My assignment was to come up with 13 portal designs in a bracelet template. The pictures were about things I like. Mr. Oldham would then make a mold so that I could make my own bracelet from my template. I had no idea that I would be pouring the molten metal into the mold myself; or that I would get to sand and polish the bracelets that I made. After smoothing out the edges of the bracelets, I shaped and formed them around a rounded pipe to make them circular. Then, we added color to the bracelets with spray paint.

Mr. Oldham and his wife were both very kind. I discovered that sculpting is something that deals with both art and working with my hands, which is something I do. As we enjoyed a meal of pizza, I explained the 13 portal symbols that were on the bracelets. Afterwards, Mr. Oldham showed me a book full of the sculptures he and his team created. This job shadow was very interesting and it opened another profession that I may be interested in pursuing. I hope that next year, I am able to visit Mr. Oldham’s studio again.

Malcolm Johnson on a Shadow Experience

P.S. Everyone at my school loved the bracelets. They all wanted one!