About Us
Winged Camel
Mary Ann Spavins Owen
J. Malcolm Owen
Winged Camel Metalworks is a small metalworking studio located in the northern foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in New York State, not far from the Canadian border. The studio has been owned and operated by us, Malcolm and Mary Ann Owen, since 1976.We work with copper, brass, gold and sterling silver creating clocks and other small o
Winged Camel Metalworks is a small metalworking studio located in the northern foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in New York State, not far from the Canadian border. The studio has been owned and operated by us, Malcolm and Mary Ann Owen, since 1976.We work with copper, brass, gold and sterling silver creating clocks and other small objects for home and office. Most pieces are collaborative efforts with Mary Ann creating the theme and layout of the pieces and Malcolm working on the mechanical aspects of production. We each also create independent, one-of-a-kind works: Mary Ann makes jewelry and small sculptures, Malcolm makes large sculptural and decorative work.Malcolm loves tools; both to use and to make. He made many of the stakes and hammers that we use daily.The products created by Winged Camel Metalworks are unique in their design and craftsmanship. Each piece is entirely handmade from start to finish by us, the artists. The variations in patina and figure placement are considered desirable and normal thus marking each piece as truly handcrafted.
J. Malcolm Owen
Mary Ann Spavins Owen
J. Malcolm Owen
I was born in Buffalo, NY in 1948. My parents are of a romantic nature and apparently believe that place is somehow connected with personal satisfaction. Needless to say with that premise, we moved a great deal and I grew up in a variety of locales, mostly along the East Coast but including a stint in the Alaskan bush and even time on a h
I was born in Buffalo, NY in 1948. My parents are of a romantic nature and apparently believe that place is somehow connected with personal satisfaction. Needless to say with that premise, we moved a great deal and I grew up in a variety of locales, mostly along the East Coast but including a stint in the Alaskan bush and even time on a houseboat in New York Harbor. I was not unhappy but today I am appalled at the idea of moving and live in rural upstate NY where I am reluctant to drive ten miles to town.I graduated from a rural New York high school (1966) and went from there to SUNY Binghamton where I received my B.A. in philosophy with a specialization in modern “hard headed” philosophy and symbolic logic (1970).Before graduating, however, I discovered in my last semester that I had failed to take an Intro to Art course. Despite many more credits than needed, I could not graduate. I was properly enraged and swore that the school would not get another dime.I took a Summer art course at the University of Maine and went to work as a construction laborer where I worked up to carpenter status. It was in the mandatory art course that I discovered the works of David Smith and the combination of a welding shop and “sculpture farm” seemed to me an ideal of existence. I bought an oxy-acetylene outfit and taught myself to weld. I also made some very bad sculptures. Gradually I learned blacksmithing and for three years made a meager living doing decorative iron work. There seemed to be a vast untapped market for toilet paper hangers and shelf brackets but it was a depressing market to cater to. Interesting work was hard to come by in my local area. I returned to school at SUNY Oswego, met Mary Ann and began the Winged Camel segment of our lives.
Mary Ann Spavins Owen
Mary Ann Spavins Owen
Mary Ann Spavins Owen
b. 1951 1969 graduate Patchogue-MedfordHigh School, NY1973 B.A. SUNY Oswego1975 M.A. SUNY Oswego I had a fairly conventional, Long Island childhood; beaches, bike rides and train trips to New York City. I enjoyed making things as a kid and dabbled in most crafts. I first attended SUNY Stonybrook with an eye to studying art history which I
b. 1951 1969 graduate Patchogue-MedfordHigh School, NY1973 B.A. SUNY Oswego1975 M.A. SUNY Oswego I had a fairly conventional, Long Island childhood; beaches, bike rides and train trips to New York City. I enjoyed making things as a kid and dabbled in most crafts. I first attended SUNY Stonybrook with an eye to studying art history which I found boring. Then transferred to a community college before ending up at SUNY Oswego where I discovered a wide range of metalworking techniques. I'd found my medium. Nothing like a hammer and a torch! Having only been in Oswego for two years I decided to stay there for a Masters and was fortunate enough to teach for a year in the bargain. Malcolm showed up for his Masters degree and we got married in 1976.