Vane Maker Profiles

Weathervane maker, Thomas, with a Pegasus weather vane

Thomas with medium Pegasus weathervane

Thomas - Shop Master

Thomas started working with West Coast Weather Vanes in August 1994. He was promoted to Journeyperson in September 1995. Thomas came to West Coast Weather Vanes with a background in recumbent bicycle design. He also spent time in Japan teaching English and exploring Japanese culture. In addition to making weathervanes, Thomas has made his own musical instruments and makes jewelry in his spare time. He is a life long learner and continues his education in all aspects of metal craft to this day. His proficiency in all aspects of weather vane making makes him a true master of this art form. Because of his interest in mechanical design he has made a number of our signature automotive and aircraft themed weathervanes.

Victor - Senior Journeyman

Victor started working with West Coast Weather Vanes in October 1996. From the start, Victor demonstrated excellence in workmanship. His rapid mastery of technique and sensitivity to the subject matter being rendered him the status of Journeyman in January 1998. He particularly likes doing animals but appreciates the diversity of designs which keeps the work fresh and stimulating. Victor was promoted to Senior Journeyman in January 2000. Victor is also pursuing his formal training in art and has taken classes in welding and drawing.

Weather vane maker, Victor, holding a Koi weathervane

Victor with medium Fairy & medium Koi weathervanes

Ben, Senior journeyman weathervane maker, photo

Ben working on a Jumping Horse Weathervane

Ben - Senior Journeyman

Ben started working with West Coast Weather Vanes in March 1997. Ben came to weather vane making with a background in stained glass and was able to translate this skill to his new profession. Ben finished his signature weather vane, a four foot portrait of a female equestrian riding Dressage on her Dutch Warmblood in April 1998 and, as a result, was promoted to Journeyman status. Ben's specialty is small designs because he likes fine, intricate workmanship and the challenge of mastering difficult detailing in tight spaces. As a result of his continued advancement, he was promoted to Senior Journeyman in January 2000.

Ken - Master Weathervane Maker

Ken Jensen, owner of West Coast Weather Vanes along with his wife, LizAnne, is shown here shaping copper with an English Wheel. Ken is self-taught; the only copper work he had done prior to making weathervanes was sweat soldering the plumbing on our home, which he built himself. He has been making weathervanes for more than twenty years and has seen the overall skill level in our studio rise exponentially over the years from extremely rudimentary to technically very sophisticated. Prior to starting West Coast Weather Vanes, Ken worked twenty years in the University of California, Santa Cruz library and ran a small organic baby produce business. His undergraduate degree was in History and he has a Masters in Library Science.

Ken Jensen, master weathervane maker, photo

Ken Jensen at work shaping a boat hull.

Weathervane Maker, Rolando.photo with Steel Head Trout Weathervane

Rolando with Steelhead Trout Weathervane

Rolando - Junior Journeyman,

Rolando is our newest weathervane maker. He is the brother of Victor, one of our Senior Journeymen weathervane makers. Under his tutelage, Rolando has developed technical proficiency extremely quickly. He is quite motivated and his interest is in new and experimental designs so he can master new techniques as fast as possible. I think his goal is to catch up to his brother quickly as he can! Prior to coming to West Coast Weather Vanes, Rolando has a background in auto mechanics, welding, and jewelry making. He likes to spend his free time with family and friends.

Jeff - Senior Journeyman

Jeff is a man of many talents. He started working for West Coast Weather Vanes back in 1991 when he was twenty-one. He is an extremely talented weathervane maker. Over the years, he has taken time off to pursue other interests but has come back to work with us when time allows. Learning to make weathervanes is something like learning to ride a bike; once the skill has been mastered there is no forgetting it. In addition to stints at West Coast Weather Vanes, Jeff has taking time to pursue an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Conservation at the University of California in Davis, spend time in Japan, and he is currently working on a Masters Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. He hopes to build his own practice doing Acupuncture and Herbology but plans to work with us until his new enterprise takes off. Jeff is one of the nicest people we know and we are always happy to have him come back to work for us.

Jeff with Fiddler on the Roof Weathervane

Weathervanes