Brad Tarbet

Rochester, WA

Artist Biography

Brad Tarbet is a lifelong artist, but only in recent years has he intently pursued artistic endeavors creating sculpture, wall art and other metal-based designs.

While growing up in small towns in northern and southern Idaho, his early mediums were largely pen and ink drawings on Pee-Chee folders and grocery-bag textbook covers.

His favorite medium now is welded metal, usually stainless steel or aluminum, formed into sculptures, wall designs or artistic interpretations of otherwise routine metal finishes.

Starting in the mid-1970’s Brad learned and perfected his welding skills in industrial and manufacturing facilities across the Pacific Northwest. The years of nuts-and-bolts field work developed into architectural influences that are evidenced in strong lines and forms, imparting feelings of strength and permanence, in his works.

A lifelong fisherman and hunter, Brad’s love of the outdoors brings the shapes of nature into his forms. The smooth lines of a breaking wave; the arch and delicate finish of a snow laden fir branch; the grace of a stag’s leap are all inspirations. His use of physical textures and tonal contrasts help him create work that seems newly “seen” in the changing light of each sunset or each season’s first snowfall.

To occupy his time between sculptures, Brad owns and operates Truepoint Metalworks, a commercial welding and fabrication business in Rochester, Washington.