Richard A. Heller American
Through my hands, raw materials become stories; steel, bronze, and clay are transformed into forms that honor life, nature, and the unseen forces that shape us all.
With over forty years of experience as a farrier and blacksmith, Heller’s studio blends traditional forging tools; anvils, forges, welders, with literary creativity. He sculpts in bronze, creating works that range from intimate human portraits (such as survivors of the Holocaust) to evocative animal figures (like wolves gazing into the trees).
His artistic process mirrors his life philosophy: he begins with raw materials; fire, metal, words and then story emerges organically. Each piece is a meditation on transformation, as he strives to make 'the unknown, known.'
Richard Heller is a sculptor, blacksmith, and writer whose work bridges the worlds of craft, nature, and human experience. Through bronze, steel, and clay, he transforms raw materials into expressive forms that explore strength, vulnerability, and the quiet poetry of life.
Born
Los Angeles, California
Education
Studied sculpture under Eda Jensen Martinek, Santa Monica, California
Scottsdale School of Art, Arizona
Blacksmithing and Horse Shoeing apprenticeship under Charlie Haleran, La Puente, California
Poetry and Writing under Holly Prado Northup, Hollywood, California
Richard A. Heller is an American sculptor, blacksmith, farrier, and writer whose life and art are deeply interwoven with nature, craftsmanship, and personal transformation. Born in Los Angeles, Heller has spent much of his life traveling on horseback, skiing, biking, or hiking through some of the most wild and remote landscapes from California’s High Sierras to Alaska, Mexico, and the Highlands of Scotland.
For over four decades, Heller has worked as a farrier and blacksmith. He also spent seven years early in his career working with troubled children as a riding instructor, a formative experience that further shaped his empathy and connection to living beings.
As a sculptor, Heller primarily works in bronze, creating deeply expressive pieces that reflect his varied life: some sculptures honor Holocaust survivors, while others depict wolves gazing into trees, capturing both the fragility and power of life. His artistic process is grounded in direct engagement, he begins by placing his hands on raw materials like clay or steel, or by writing, allowing the work to gradually reveal itself.
His writing is equally rich: in addition to poetry, he has authored technical manuals for the equine world, reflecting his dual life in literature and blacksmithing. His memoir Blueprints traces his journey through wilderness, fire, and creation.
Heller now lives and works in Washington State, balancing his work at his forge with his literary pursuits. His creative philosophy centers on making “the unknown, known”, whether through sculpting, storytelling, or forging, always recognizing that he is a tool in service of larger forces.