After selling his aircraft furnishings business in 1998, Peter Dettmers began to pursue his interest in art, creating sculptures from the same type of high-end aluminum used in aviation. Now, twelve years later, Peter is once again providing specialty furnishings for corporate aircraft with his new company Mechanical Design Resource. But encouraged by the warm reception his sculptures have received and enjoying the creative process, he is still sculpting.

Peter began his career with training in metal work, a four-year apprenticeship at Allis-Chalmers in his hometown of Montreal. After further studies at McGill University, he moved to the United States, married and started Dettmers Industries, a design and manufacturing firm producing seats and other components for business aviation. Meanwhile, Peter and his wife Mary pursued studies of both East Indian and Native American cultures and values. Both emphasize the value of the interior life, a focus that finds expression in Peter's "illuminated crystal" sculptures.

As with his aircraft designs, Peter first draws his sculptures on SolidWorks, a computer-aided-design or CAD program. "It's an elevating experience," he says, "to have a vision and create it in drawings and substance. I get a lot of joy watching the piece take on a life of its own."

Peter sculpts for his own pleasure and by commission of special pieces. He works primarily in aluminum. Finishes include painting, anodizing and plating in gold and platinum. His crystals are mainly from Arkansas and Brazil: clear quartz, phantoms, singing crystals, rose quartz and amethyst. Visitors to the studio are welcome by appointment.