Stacey Mrva & Sami Bodratti

MEDIUM /// METAL AND INK

MEET STACEY:

I'm Stacey Mrva, a metal sculptor based in the Finger Lakes, where I’ve spent over 25 years shaping steel into functional, expressive works of art. This show marks a return to a style that’s close to my heart—one that first took shape years ago during a collaboration with a tattoo artist.

That project sparked my love for transforming simple line drawings into dimensional wall sculptures. Using steel rod, I bend and weld each line by hand, turning flat, 2D designs into pieces that cast shadows and come alive on the wall. Over time, I’ve developed this technique in my public work—especially in benches that celebrate the stories, culture, and history of the towns where they live.

For this show, I’m diving back into the world of tattoo art. Each piece is inspired by traditional old-school flash—bold, iconic imagery that I’ve reinterpreted through the lens of steel and sculpture. It’s a playful, nostalgic nod to a form that’s always fascinated me. This body of work is all about the love of the line—where ink meets steel.

Beyond commissioned work, I’m deeply passionate about teaching welding through my Women’s Welding Workshops, held in my cozy red barn studio in Springwater, NY—where the motto, “Women empower women, one weld at a time,” truly comes to life.

Follow ALONG WITH STACEY’S WORK:

Website: ironwoodstudiosinc.com

Instagram: @staceymrvametal

Facebook: @staceymmrva

MEET SAMI:

Hey, Hi, Hello! My name is Sam Bodratti and I have been drawing since I could hold a crayon and draw on the walls. I graduated from SUNY Fredonia in 2014 with a bachelor's of fine arts in animation and illustration. My artistic journey has included illustration, graphic art design, screen printing, laying vinyl graphics, and architectural drawings until 2017 when I started my tattoo career. As an apprentice I worked to develop my illustrative style along side building my tattooing technique. In 2023 I decided I wanted to offer my clients a unique tattoo experience of my own and I opened my studio on Main St in Geneseo. 

Tattooing has added a new depth to my artwork that I could have never predicted. I was wholly unprepared for the intimate connection between me and my clients. For each person, my artwork is a permanent representation of our shared experience. I am grateful for each person that has entrusted me to share such a powerful memory. 

With my traditional artwork I concentrate on watercolor and colored pencil mediums. For my living canvas, my strength lies with black and grey color palette. Within my artwork you'll often see fantasy style characters like mermaids and faeries, often accented with nature inspired elements such as flowers, plants, and mushrooms.

FOLLOW ALONG WITH SAMI’S WORK:

Instagram: @ambrosia_arti