"In 1972 John Corson was totally committed to working as an industrial welder but an unfortuante accident terminated this occupation. A large piece of steel fell across his right leg and after a year of futile attempts to save the leg it had to be amputated. During lengthy hospitalizations, his doodlings demonstrated his talents for drawing and sketching and indicated the direction of rehabilitation efforts. John was given the opportunity to attend Eastern Montana College [MSU-Billings] for three years as an art student and he is grateful to the state vocational rehabilitation system.

After leaving college John tried watercolor and even sold a few paintings. But his interest waned and he gave up painting in any medium. During this trying period his wife, Chris, offered unrelenting support and it was her suggestion that he tried working with steel. The effect was instantaneous: 'The first smell of the welded steel was the greatest thrill I had had in a couple of years; it was like coming home, I was where I belonged,' Corson remembers.

Source: Artist of the Rockies and the Golden West; Summer, 1984.

"There were no teachers. Corson said he just went into his workshop one day in 1979 and finished his first sculpture, a small duck."

"With each piece he strives to perfect his work and teach himself something new about welding--adding more detailing on the birds' wings, making thinner wings or selectively heating the sculpture to add coloring to the birds. Each sculpture must look 'alive' before it will pass Corson's own strict standards."

Source: From Tragedy, New Beginning by Charlene Blohm; Billings Gazette, date unknown.