Daily Inspiration: Meet Sally Borg

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sally Borg.

Hi Sally, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was creative in my early years, but when I got out of college and got a job sitting at a desk, my creativity was limited to problem solving in a business environment. I retired in 2018 and one of the first things I did was take a metal art class, where I learned how to weld. I loved it! It was a flash back to the highlight of my high-school years, when I was a senior and girls were finally allowed to take shop class. I am drawn to working with power tools and making things with my hands and I absolutely loved shop class. When I got to my first welding class, I felt like I was where I belonged. I repeated that welding/metal art class several times, just for the use of the equipment, and finally set up a shop in my garage in 2019.

I love the color and texture of rusty metal, and from the very beginning I have been using shovels and discarded metal to create whimsical sculptures. I find materials at yard sales, alleys, scrap yards and farm scrap piles. I’m all about having fun and my metal creations are a reflection of my true self.

After setting my own shop, I participated in the Camelback Studio Tour for the first time that November. The Camelback Studio Tour is a two day event where art enthusiasts can visit the home studios of local artists to view and purchase one of kind works in a variety of mediums. My work was well received and I have participated each year since. In 2024, I joined On The Edge Gallery in Scottsdale as a member/artist. It has been a joy being around other creative people and having the opportunity to share my art with a wider audience.

There is nothing I would rather be doing than creating metal art in my studio and talking to people about my work. The work is dirty, it can be terribly hot, but it always puts a smile on my face.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been really blessed, because I don’t have to sell art to pay my mortgage, so I’m not facing financial pressure. The biggest challenge I have is the conditions that I get to weld in. The garage is a hot place to work when the temperature is above 85. I do my dirty work, the cutting and grinding, outside with the garage door up and do the welding at the back of the garage where I’m sheltered from any breezes. It can be very hot for most of the year. It doesn’t deter my enthusiasm, but I have to limit my garage time when it’s too hot. I drink lots of water, and sometimes I have to stop before I’m ready to, so that I don’t let the heat and fatigue lead me into an accident.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I cut, grind, and weld in my garage to create whimsical sculptures out of rusty metal. My work is well suited to being outdoors, because weather enhances the art rather than negatively impacting it. And I also have collectors who put my work inside their homes. What sets me apart from others is that I’m ME. My work reflects who I am, and although I’m not the only person making art from old tools, my art will always have my personality built into it. I am most proud of having the courage to make art, and the good fortune to sell some of it.

How do you define success?
My definition of success is linked with personal satisfaction. I just want to be happy and fulfilled at the end of the day. That means creating something, or sharing my creations with others, being kind, and trying to be the awesome person my dog thinks I am.

Pricing:

• I have metal art in a variety of price ranges. Most of it under $200, a few larger pieces are more. expensive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://BorgMetalArt.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/BorgMetalArt
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/BorgMetalArt

Image Credits
Sally Borg