Steampunk Maker
Michael White of Drono
We would like to introduce you to Michael White of Drono, a fantastic artist, designer, illustrator and creator of intricate and rather spiffing Steampunk Quill Pens!
Michael White of Drono
What first sparked your interest in Steampunk?
I think I was into steampunk before there was a name for it. I grew up reading sci-fi & fantasy like Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Ray Bradbury, H.P. Lovecraft, etc. I also would watch movies on Saturday mornings which were always something with Vincent Price, Christopher Lee or sometimes they’d show Godzilla movies. But my favorites were always the fantasy sci-fi stuff like War Gods of the Deep, Journey to the Center of the Earth type movies. The Victorian style & unique machinery that they would build in those productions made me drool. I determined from an early age that I would be building stuff like that some day.
As a maker what do you find most inspiring about the Steampunk Subculture?
I love seeing really well done Steampunk tools & toys that function. Conversely, one of my huge pet peeves is when someone slaps clock/watch parts on something & calls it steampunk. It’s not just about giving an object gears. I stumbled across the Steampunk workshop a few years ago & he’s the perfect example of someone that does it right. He machines his own parts & adapts what he can to his creations. He inspires me to make sure everything I make is useful and recycled wherever possible.
How would you best describe your work?
I guess I really started out by making Ray guns about 10 years ago. I would find old Air Tools at garage sales or antique shops & build ray gun props with them. Over the years I gathered up a ton of parts that I wasn’t quite sure what to make with & I was drawing with Crow Quill Pens a lot. So one day I started building a pen that I could use that also looked cool & that started what I make mostly now. I’ve made about 200 pens – mostly quill-style dip pens, but I’ve made a few ball points & a couple of modified paint brushes & some other trinkets here & there.
Within your body of work, do you have a favorite Steampunk Creation?
My favorite thing I’ve made so far has been a Captain Nemo inspired pen. It had moving parts & a liquid filled base but it was also easy to use.
There are so many artistic mediums that embrace Steampunk (literature, film, visual art, textile, metalwork) what other Steampunk Artists do you admire?
I love the Steampunk Workshop – Jake Von Slatt. He’s amazing. I also love a guy on etsy – Tom Banwell who’s creations make me cry. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to match those guys. There’s also a site called Steampunk Couture that make beautiful corsets & costumes. I also collect every movie I can find that fits that mold. 20,000 leagues under the sea, City of Lost Children, I loved Micmacs!! If you haven’t seen that yet, it’s a perfect movie & has some wonderful makers in it.
As an artist and crafter when and how did you first begin to develop your skills?
I went to college for studio arts & learned a lot of drawing & painting & color theory. I taught myself how to build things mainly by taking apart things. You learn how something works & then you have an understanding about it. I get advice from people wherever I can, I look up techniques on the ‘net & I get together with a couple friends & we help each other out with different projects. We’re opening a studio in Anaheim this month with the intention of teaching people to use tools, & techniques.
What most attracted you to your medium?
I started making the things I make for myself. In fact I didn’t start selling anything for awhile because I didn’t want to let them go. I take most everything I use from day to day & give it a twist (usually ends up being steampunk) my phone, computer, art supplies will almost always become something.
As an artist is there a frustrating or limiting factor to your medium?
For me the biggest frustration is that I want to learn a couple of things like real metal-smithing but I’m limited in space right now. But it’s a goal of mine to be able to build something from raw metals. Usually I adapt to pieces & parts that exist already. I would also like to learn some leather work. Basically anything the Pioneers had to do would be a dream come true…
What other creative pursuits do you enjoy?
I’m a professional artist – both design & fine arts. I’ve got a bunch of shows coming up over the next year.
Who, in your life, has most inspired you to be a maker or encouraged you in your creative pursuits?
My grandfather Luther probably inspired me the most. If he needed something to work a certain way he would build it or adapt it. I don’t think he ever went to the hardware store except for raw materials & tools. He had welding equipment & everything you could possibly need available all the time & he would show us how to use them.
Do you make custom pieces?
I do enjoy making custom pieces. If anyone wanted to commission something I can be reached on etsy (drono) or through my website.
Do you show at fairs or galleries? Are there places where people can see your work in person?
I just finished the Renegade Craft Fair in Los Angeles. I also show in galleries in California so far. One of the main ones that carries my stuff on a regular basis is called Rothick Art Haus in Anaheim.
To see more of Michael’s fantastic Steampunk Creations visit:
