When you’re the young son of anybody in the construction business, you become the one who runs back and forth to the truck for tools, materials or whatever is needed. And you learn to be handy. Patrick Kenney said his dad was a plasterer.
He helped his dad on many jobs. “When they’re doing things that you can’t do, you can watch,” Kenney said during an interview in his Valencia home. “I watched a lot.
” And young Kenney not only picked up skills, but he also found something he enjoys doing. Today, at 78 years old, tinkering is second nature to him. About five years ago, he got into making steampunk lamps — pieces of artwork made from waterpipes, light fixtures and themed materials on wood, metal or iron bases, sometimes on waterpipe feet.
This work was born out of re-pipe projects he and his wife had done on homes they’ve had over the years. “When I bought pipe, I bought too much,” Kenney said. “I don’t want to take a second trip to get more.
Well, my wife said, ‘Do something with this.’ I went, ‘OK.’ I just started putting pipe together.
And then I thought, ‘You know, I need something on it.’ So, I went online and bought these gauges.” Kenney pointed out pressure gauges on a particular steampunk lamp he’d made, one that he had on display in the backyard of his home.
The piece included various pipes, lights, round cast-iron spigot handles and a fire extinguisher. It was the essence of steampunk art, which combines 19th-century industri.
