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Steel artist creates shadows

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Contributed by: Kecia Seyb on 2/16/2007

A cowgirl leans against a fence post with her head down and her ponytail sneaking out below her hat.
In the field to the left, a deer seems to perk up, curious about who is creeping along the unpaved driveway toward Doug Jacobson's house.
The cowgirl and deer share the 5-acre property with about 15 other shadowed figures. They're silhouettes, handmade by Jacobson using 14-gauge steel that he paints black.
"That's what makes me different - it's homemade rather than computerized," he said.
The Falcon resident has been running his business, Country Shadows, for the past six years out of his home.
Jacobson, who lives with his 13-year-old daughter, Tori, typically buys the steel locally. He cuts it and grinds it, creating a burnt metal smell throughout his small shop down the path from his home. He then paints it or rusts his creations upon request.
He learned the craft from his brother-in-law in Minnesota.
"The leaning cowboy is what it was," Jacobson said of how his interest was piqued. "I saw that and wanted one and wanted to make it."
The leaning cowboy is popular among customers, too, and Jacobson said he can't make enough sets of bears to meet the demand during the summer.
Summer is the busiest season at Country Shadows, so he tries to compile most of his creations during the colder months.
Sometimes, he has to pluck some of his own yard decorations to fill orders.
Jacobson blamed a 2002 tariff on imported steel for a 125 percent increase in his steel purchases.
He said the price has gone down some, but he still pays about twice as much as when he started.
He charges $10 to $200, depending on the silhouette's size.
His designs range from flying eagles, mice, dogs and llamas to swinging golfers, horse and buggies, and kissing boys and girls.
He aims to sell directly to the public through word of mouth, at shows or farmers' markets, but his creations also can be purchased at a few local shops.
His products are in nearly all states and seven different countries, he said.
Jacobson works part-time at Falcon Meadow Campground and runs his own mowing business. But he hopes to stay busy with Country Shadows, creating new pieces and shapes each year.
"I never can call in sick," he said. "I never believe myself."

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CONTRIBUTOR INFO

Kecia Seyb

Colorado Springs , CO

Kecia Seyb has posted 101 stories and 10 comments since joining on 9/12/2006. Kecia Seyb's average story rating is 4.86.

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