I can't tell you how many basements I've visited since I started to do these Last Word stories. Usually, it's to see a model railroad display. I’ve seen other people use their basements to display some wonderful artwork they have done. I enjoyed those stories. That's why I'm visiting another basement today. It’s Chris Trott’s basement on Erie's east side.

Chris invited me to his basement to see some beautiful artwork he's made over the past 40 years. I’m looking at some great examples of Chris' creativity using metal and wood. He shows me the most elaborate piece. It’s a millhouse made of metal. It has a moving water wheel and a working smokestack. The detail on the building is magnificent. The wooden base is hand-carved and includes tiny stones made out of melted steel and brass. It took 50 hours to complete. It's a thing of beauty!!!

"I only do what the Man upstairs allows me to do,” says Chris. “I'm very grateful for what I can do and that's for sure."

Over the years, Chris has created a train, a World War II fighter plane, a cannon, a lighthouse, and a tanker truck. All are displayed in Chris' basement. Even the bathroom has a piece of art. It’s a ZZ Top-style character with a hat, glasses, and a beard made of wires.

"I don't know how many wires are on that doggone thing,” says Chris. “I'd put one row on, bend them down, put another row on, bend them down until I got a mustache and a beard.”

Chris' love of metal work began when he was a student at the Erie County Vo-Tech school. He learned how to weld. That skill was honed when he worked at the old Riley Stoker plant in Erie and later at Steris and GE.. His very first art project was an alligator made in 1988 by welding metal files together. The material used for all these projects is scrap metal that was discarded at his workplace.

"I don't know if I can get arrested from taking anyone's trash,” says Chris with a laugh.

Chris' art skills are not limited to metal and wood creations. He also paints in his basement. He also plays his guitar. Chris has been a member of about eight bands that have performed in the Erie area over the last four decades. He and his bandmates have written over 150 original songs. A highlight was when his band called Magnum appeared as the opening act for Black Sabbath at the old Erie County Fieldhouse.

"All in all, it's been a heck of a ride. It really has,” says Chris. “It's been a heck of a ride."

Chris says he has no plans to ever sell his creations. He says someday he will give them to his children.