Rochelle laughingly says she never learnt the fundamentals of welding correctly. There’s not just one way to weld metals together. You wouldn’t use a big torch to weld two small pieces. Tig welding is the best way for welding any metal. Mig welding speed is fast enough to just do with one hand and is a general way to weld. The Stick method is best for outdoor metals and the cleanness of the metal doesn’t affect the result. If you wanted to meld two small pieces, as in making jewelry, you would use a more narrow torch to make a more focused spot to melt the metal (“Different types of welding”). Rochelle may not follow all these prescribed techniques, but the self-taught
Starting 78 With a Spark
Profile on Rochelle Ford by Richa Gopal
method works for her. When she started creating art at the age of 58, she didn’t have time to model her style after other artists; so she just creates from her own imagination. Rochelle does “found art”, meaning she uses everyday objects to create art (“Found Art”). For example, if she drives by a discarded car bumper on the side of the road, she
immediately envisions what she will create with it. She has used wires, spoons, saw blades, ball bearings, washers, scrap metal, nails, beads; in fact she cannot bring herself to throw anything away. She has a studio crammed full of what other people would call junk; for her it is like a toy box. Rochelle takes things that would pollute the earth, and
“I am self taught. I taught myself how to weld” -Rochelle
creates beauty {“Benefits of Using Recycled Material in Art”).. Her two main fans are her brother and her husband. Her husband, Henry Ford, was a former football player and one of the first blacks to play in the NFL, . However, his career with the Steelers was cut short when he was asked if he would rather play NFL or date a white girl.
The pieces below were created by Richa Gopal after being inspired by Rochelle’s art.
“It’s a curse being an artist, the ideas never stop.” -Rochelle
Henry chose to be with Rochelle. After Henry left football, he went into business but also began coaching high school football. Also, he organizes his NFL friends and current players to come teach kids to play for free once every year; It is a huge event with about 200 kids. Besides Henry’s football interests, he lives a very relaxed life now. He spends his time taking care of the yard while Rochelle takes care of the inside of the house. They work together in managing their beach house rental and keeping close with their two sons and grandchildren. Whenever Rochelle and Henry are out driving and they see a stand for junk, Rochelle asks to pull over to check it out. She sends Henry in and he comes back saying “Rochelle, there’s
just junk there”. She replies “It’s not junk, its art. I’ll come with you again to look” Henry says lovingly that Rochelle is a true artist. Rochelle’s brother Mark, is a goldsmith and was the one who introduced her to welding. “It’s a curse, because the ideas never stop coming”; is how Rochelle describes being an artist. She finds herself waking up in the middle of the night with an idea and writing it down to make sure she doesn’t forget. A normal day for her is to get up, and work for about 4-5 hours in the garage welding (remember she is 78!). Rochelle’s works of art are spread all over the world - she has pieces in Turkey and other countries. She has had numerous exhibitions. Recently, “Gallery 85 Vernon Davis Founda-
tion For the Arts” displayed her work along with other local unique artists. Her house itself is a gallery. All her sculptures are around the house with a white price tag hanging by the side - she sells what she lives and breathes. Her artwork is owned by famous people. Catching the attention of Michelle Obama in the White House! She is 78 and still works on projects everyday. She comes up with ideas constantly and has built a fulfilling and creative life for herself. She told me she wants to live long enough to see me become a famous artist - I can only aspire to be as inspiring to others as she is to me.
ing. “It’s a curse, because the ideas never stop coming”; is how Rochelle describes being an artist. She
finds herself waking up in the middle of the night with an idea and writing it down to make sure she doesn’t
countries. She has had numerous exhibitions. Recently, “Gallery 85 Vernon Davis Foundation For the Arts” displayed her work along with other local unique artists. Her house it“Rochelle, there’s just junk there”. self is a gallery. All her She replies “It’s not junk, it’s art. I’ll sculptures are around the house with a white come with you again to look” price tag hanging by -Henry Ford the side - she sells what she lives and breathes. forget. A Her artwork is owned normal day by famous people. for her is to Catching the attention get up, and of Michelle Obama in work for the White House! about 4-5 She is 78 and still hours in the works on projects evgarage weld- eryday. She comes up ing (remem- with ideas constantly ber she is and has built a fulfill78!). ing and creative life for Rochelle’s herself. She told me works of art she wants to live long are spread enough to see me beall over the come a famous artist world - she I can only aspire to be has pieces as inspiring to others in Turkey as she is to me. and other