Our World is Created, Not Downloaded.

Warren Smith was born on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada. At a young age, he became enamoured with working with metals.

Starting with lathes, milling machines, and welding in high school, Warren continued his metal education by entering a machinist apprenticeship after high school. At the same time, he became fascinated with the work of Bill Reid and Robert Davidson, masters of the Haida art form. Warren taught himself more than the basics of this form, but would consider himself only a beginner. With the deepest respect and highest regard for this art form, he slowly became uncomfortable practising an art form belonging to another's culture, and eventually set it aside.

It was in high school that Warren walked into a local jewellery store, L'Atelier, owned by Chris Hemeon. It was here, through Chris's generosity, that Warren was given the opportunity to start exploring the artistic side of metalwork. After a few years working part-time at the jewellery store, and wanting to broaden his knowledge of hand engraving, Warren accepted a position at the North West Engraving Co. With virtually no experience but enormous enthusiasm, he was offered — and accepted — a position as a beginning hand engraver. To offset the cost of his apprenticeship, he started each day three hours before the doors opened and stayed well into the evening. During this time he learned all the skills needed to become a full-time hand engraver, engraving everything possible in metal — trumpets, swords, knives, rings, snare drums, gold teeth, nearly every form of jewellery, medals, and more.

The graver: Warren's go-to tool of trade, sharpened a thousand times. And counting.

Some of the skills he learned along the way were carving family crests onto signet rings, script lettering, ornamental lettering, and design work.

As his skills grew, Warren continued to challenge himself, turning to hand-engraving firearms and learning the many scroll styles involved — English, German, Bulino, and American (Nimschke), the last being his preferred style. Warren then began a long period working with one of Canada's best firearms makers, Ralf Martini. Working with Ralf, he learned gold inlay and firearm engraving to meet Ralf's exacting standards, and together they built many fine firearms.

Warren continues his exploration of art and metal in the Okanagan, where he now lives — and says he'll eventually turn his hand to stamping coins.