ARTIST FRANK LEDBETTER
Frank Ledbetter was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1953. After high school, he left Mobile to serve his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps. After his service, Frank returned home and went to work at International Paper where he met his wife Terri and in 1976 he founded his own metal fabrication company Ledco. Frank and Terri had two children, Laura and Blake, and lived in both Mobile and Fairhope. In October 2001, the Ledbetter’s lives changed dramatically when they lost Blake in an accident. Overwhelmed by grief, and after 25 years operating Ledco, Frank decided it was time to step away from the business.
Struggling to cope, Frank got back to his roots “tinkering” in his garage with scrap metal. He soon discovered that he could marry the creative ideas in his mind, with the metal he was working with, to skillfully craft unique works of art. Frank had found his true calling, so he started to build art every day, and with the help of his wife Terri, they started participating in art shows. They travelled to Art Shows all over the U.S., and Frank soon realized that people were responding positively to his creations. Early on, it was a challenge, but soon clients were commissioning him to build art for private and public display, and Frank was able to open his own Studio and Gallery.
Frank admits that art saved his life, and that each piece represents Blake. Frank adds Blake’s initials ‘BWL’ next to his signature on each new piece he creates. Blake lives on through his art, Frank has even embedded some of Blake’s possessions into public commission sculptures.
As a self-taught metal artist, using aluminum and stainless steel, Frank draws inspiration from his native Gulf Coast using vibrant colors and a puzzle design that has become his signature. Frank has even expanded his medium by adding driftwood, engine parts and “scrap” that can be brought to life. Scrap metal from engines is incorporated in his mask series “Faces of Things Discarded” and his personal favorite series, the “Wooties”, are made from driftwood and cast aluminum parts. Frank’s main motivation is to add beautiful, lasting works of art to this world that will be enjoyed for decades to come.
Frank creates both functional and decorative pieces for his clients, who have come from all over the United States and even the Caribbean. Listening to clients describe their vision, then interpreting it and bringing that vision to life is what Frank enjoys most. Interacting with clients and creating a shared experience is very rewarding for Frank. Some of the requests have been challenging, but Frank feels confident in creating almost anything imaginable. He has built furniture pieces, sculptures, and wall pieces for his clients. Most notable, he has built a bar, created a boat table lamp, and sculpted many different bird species.
Frank has also made his mark through public works that can be seen along the Gulf Coast down to south Florida. The Frank Ledbetter ‘art trail’, leading to, and on Dauphin Island, AL; the Drying and Dreaming sculpture in Kenner, LA; the marlins at the Wharf in Orange Beach, AL; the 20-foot Welcoming Arms sculpture at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin, FL; and the family of dolphin fountain at the Welcome Center Gulf Shores, AL are just a few of Frank’s public works.
Frank can be found in his studio in Theodore, Alabama, hand forming unique and one of a kind works of art. Frank and Terri enjoy spending quality time with their grandchildren Jameson & Sarah Blake.
Struggling to cope, Frank got back to his roots “tinkering” in his garage with scrap metal. He soon discovered that he could marry the creative ideas in his mind, with the metal he was working with, to skillfully craft unique works of art. Frank had found his true calling, so he started to build art every day, and with the help of his wife Terri, they started participating in art shows. They travelled to Art Shows all over the U.S., and Frank soon realized that people were responding positively to his creations. Early on, it was a challenge, but soon clients were commissioning him to build art for private and public display, and Frank was able to open his own Studio and Gallery.
Frank admits that art saved his life, and that each piece represents Blake. Frank adds Blake’s initials ‘BWL’ next to his signature on each new piece he creates. Blake lives on through his art, Frank has even embedded some of Blake’s possessions into public commission sculptures.
As a self-taught metal artist, using aluminum and stainless steel, Frank draws inspiration from his native Gulf Coast using vibrant colors and a puzzle design that has become his signature. Frank has even expanded his medium by adding driftwood, engine parts and “scrap” that can be brought to life. Scrap metal from engines is incorporated in his mask series “Faces of Things Discarded” and his personal favorite series, the “Wooties”, are made from driftwood and cast aluminum parts. Frank’s main motivation is to add beautiful, lasting works of art to this world that will be enjoyed for decades to come.
Frank creates both functional and decorative pieces for his clients, who have come from all over the United States and even the Caribbean. Listening to clients describe their vision, then interpreting it and bringing that vision to life is what Frank enjoys most. Interacting with clients and creating a shared experience is very rewarding for Frank. Some of the requests have been challenging, but Frank feels confident in creating almost anything imaginable. He has built furniture pieces, sculptures, and wall pieces for his clients. Most notable, he has built a bar, created a boat table lamp, and sculpted many different bird species.
Frank has also made his mark through public works that can be seen along the Gulf Coast down to south Florida. The Frank Ledbetter ‘art trail’, leading to, and on Dauphin Island, AL; the Drying and Dreaming sculpture in Kenner, LA; the marlins at the Wharf in Orange Beach, AL; the 20-foot Welcoming Arms sculpture at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin, FL; and the family of dolphin fountain at the Welcome Center Gulf Shores, AL are just a few of Frank’s public works.
Frank can be found in his studio in Theodore, Alabama, hand forming unique and one of a kind works of art. Frank and Terri enjoy spending quality time with their grandchildren Jameson & Sarah Blake.