Don Carlson's photostream  

Don has been welding for over 28 years, starting at Joliet (IL) Township High School's Adult Education Division and continuing in the Navy. After gaining work experience in the pipe and weld shop on-board the submarine tender, USS Jason, he attended the Navy's C-1 Welding School. This school specialized in the welding of high pressure piping systems on Navy vessels. In 1984, Don joined the Boilermaker's Union and became a certified Journeyman Welder at Honolulu Shipyard (HI),later transferring to Local#6 in Oakland ,CA.

After leaving the Boilermaker's Union, Don spent the next several years as a carpenter doing extensive remodels and new home construction in Marin. Simultaneously, he discovered his talent for writing comedy. By 1989, he landed a featured spot on the Morning Show at 92.3 KSJO. While still working his day-job, Don went on to write and produce comedy bits for five Bay Area radio stations before finding a home at 106.1 KMEL in 1991. During his seven years at KMEL, Don wrote and produced comedy bits, parodies, and prank-calls, produced the "Rick Chase Show", and eventually had his own late night show.

In 1998 Don started using his welding skills to create metal sculpture and functional art. Since 1999, Don's work has been exhibited and commissioned in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has pieces in private collections throughout the United States, sculpture & photography published in numerous books, and has juried a variety of sculpture exhibits and competitions. From 1999 until 2006, Don developed, headed the Welding Department, and taught welded sculpture at The Crucible, an educational collaboration of arts, industry, and community located in Oakland (CA). He is currently teaching private lessons in his Richmond, CA studio.