♪ ♪ [sanding sound] For many years, Gene Frey has been a jack of all trades.

- Gene Frey: I like to keep busy.

- Along with his sons, Gene also had a popcorn wagon.

- Gene Frey: We had a lot of fun with it.

That was a 1930 Model A.

We sold it, and I always kind of missed the popcorn wagon, so I started building one.

My son and I started building carriages years ago.

This has got the skis, so you can take the wheels off and put skis on it.

- In addition to building modern buggies, they restore elaborate antique carriages.

- We did more buggy restorations than we did on sleighs; beautiful sleighs.

- And from buggies, sleighs, and popcorn trucks, Jean discovered art.

- I've always liked metal and woodworking.

I just kind of went together.

These are what I make cattails with.

I twist irons like this, and then, I bend them and bring them up around the cattails.

- Gene carved out a niche with his garden art and a spot to work in his son's carriage shop.

- My son said, "You might as well have a space."

It's not real big, but it's big enough for what I do.

- Every one of Gene's metal sculptures is made by hand.

[clanging] - And then, we just go all the way around like that.

That's how we make these flowers at the end.

They look like this.

I do more of the birds, ducks, skis, pheasants.

It's pretty much metal and welding and whatever I can come up with.

Some of it sells, some of it doesn't.

- He does all of this without any formal art training.

- I don't know about art training.

I just kind of picked it up; just self-taught.

- The industrial art Gene creates is built to last.

- Gene Frey: I got some pheasants on my lawn that's been there for 17, 18 years, and some flowers and stuff.

They're all rusty and everything, but they last for a long time.

I like to have a reason to get up in the morning and do something.

So, I get out and go down to the shop and try to put something together and dream of something to make.

At my age, I only work about three hours when I go down, and then I go home.

- Gene's casual schedule also allows him to be on call at the art gallery and carriage shop in downtown Columbus.

- Gene Frey: My son owns the building.

We thought it'd be good for the downtown and be something different to have.

[bass, piano, and jazz guitar swing music] A lot of people say, "You do a beautiful work."

I get a lot of good comments.

I've never had any bad ones.

- And the name for this art space... - My son came up with that name.

Curmudgeons & Company.

I can't even pronounce it, to be honest.

[laughing] He kind of thinks we both are, but I don't.

It's just me.

[metal clanging, sparks spraying] When you get my age, you gotta have something to do, and I don't like watching the idiot box.

I'll be honest with you.

[chuckles] Just a lot of enjoyment.

♪ ♪