Handmade Haitian Art, Tree of Life in Garden, Upcycled Metal Folk Decor, Metal Plaque Home Decorations 15x15in

Artist Profile- Jean Paul St. Charles

Jean Paul St. Charles was born in 1979 in Croix-des-Bouquets. At the age of 10, he began to learn the craft of “coupe de fer” or cutting iron. Beginning as a laborer, cleaning and pounding the metal flat for the experienced artists to take over, he worked in various ateliers, including that of the Balan brothers, John Sylvestre, Gary Darius, Gabriel Bien-Amie and Serge Jolimeau. By the time he turned 18, he had advanced to design work and by the age of twenty, he opened his own studio. Entrepreneurship is something of which he is very proud, and rightfully so. In a poor country where unemployment runs at a horrifying rate of forty per cent, Jean Paul employs 12 people in his studio, many of whom will get their own start in business through his guidance and teaching. Travelling to show his work is a dream that he pursues with passion. He has not yet travelled abroad, but enjoys participating in exhibitions in and around Port-au-Prince. To share his art with the world is his broad vision, brought closer one hammer-blow, one stroke of sandpaper, and one chisel-cut at a time.

Fair trade isn't just a good idea - its the way we do business.

We offer a hand up, not a hand out to our artist partners in Haiti. Each sale of their metal sculptures represents a positive step toward a better life.

The center of Haitian metal sculpture is the village of Croix-des-Bouquets, where the clanging sound of hammers striking chisels is a constant music. To begin, the artist chalks his design onto the metal. Chisels, dies and a large hammer are used to cut and shape the piece, giving it form and texture. When the highly intricate and physically demanding work is complete and the artist is satisfied with his work, he signs his name boldly with a small chisel and applies a clear, weather-proof coating. The result is a wonderful, fair trade piece of handcrafted art.

This metal sculpture is meant for display indoors or out, but if you choose to display yours outside, be aware that the protective, weather-proof coating will wear off over time. To keep your sculpture looking just like it did the day you bought it, take five minutes once a year to apply a spray-on clear enamel coating.

A few nails and a hammer are all you'll need to hang your sculpture. Look for a place where the design is joined or notched and put the first nail there. Use a second and possibly a third nail, if the piece is large, in other joined or notched design elements within the sculpture to straighten and secure it to the wall. The nails will "disappear" with the piece. Simple as that.