Destination Up North UpNorth-Spring_20_030920_B | Page 24

He also readily switches gears to create original
designs of sculpture, including figure studies,
wildlife sculpture, public art and abstract art.
He recently completed a woman in bronze
releasing a wounded bird without a founder,
meaning it is a direct metal sculpture with no
foundry involved. He says, “Sculpting a human is
challenging.”
Kreitz built the metal Pequot Lakes identifier
signs in Pequot Lakes, Minn., and has done
numerous public sculptures for cities and towns,
artwork for hospitals, and built alters, candle
stands and railings for churches.
An architect gives Kreitz a print or someone
gives him a napkin sketch and through this
process, Kreitz comes to an accepted design for
his client, while also meeting his own standards
that represent his personal style.
From small sculptures to large corporate
commissions, Kreitz manipulates metals to
create one-of-a-kind sculptures. Each project
requires extensive research and study, whether
he is striving to understand the anatomy
of birds or learning about the engineering
required to fabricate the armature for a large-
scale sculpture.
Things get made in different ways. He designs
it, he shows customers examples of his work so
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they can see the different kinds of rivets, hinges,
what the finishes look like, do they want it
straight across or do they want it to curve, made
out of steel or copper, etc.
He works out much of the design in models and
sketches before completing the final sculpture.
To create the patinas he wants on the metals,
Kreitz uses chemicals. He says, “My projects start
with a vision and then it evolves. Some things
are planned. I don’t paint sculptures so they’re
maintenance-free for good.”
He enjoys the people he meets in his work. He
says, “I meet some very interesting people.”
Two full-time assistants work with Kreitz. “I
work six days a week. It’s dangerous work with
machinery and with all the dust and fumes. Life
is hard on your health.”
His display room in Breezy Point exhibits his
sculptures and the furniture he makes such as
metal beds and tables. “My copper beds are
rustic beds that are sturdy and don’t wiggle and
don’t come apart,” he says, adding that he also
makes big stainless steel canopy beds.
Jeff Kreitz has found his passion. “This is what I’m
supposed to be doing,” he says. “You get known.
You treat people right. It’s not that I’m famous.
I’m known as that ‘guy up north.’”
Sixteen foot tall Pequot Lakes sign fabricated out of
copper and steel located on Highway 371 in Pequot
Lakes, MN - Photo Submitted by Direct Metal Sculpture
Artist Jeff Kreitz