siuDE.com

A walk into the Rainmaker shop might seem daunting at first.

After all, a vulture-like sculpture hangs from one wall, and there are a few pieces of medieval weaponry scattered about other parts of the store, which is located on the Makanda boardwalk.

But then there is David Dardis, metal sculptor and owner of the store. It does not take long to learn he is a well-known and well-liked figure in the town. His friends flock to the store with their dogs and hang outside of the storefront as he works during the summer.

Dardis, who has lived in Makanda for about 30 years, spends most of the day working in the store, which is home to his metal sculptures, as well as odds and ends including various metals, glass objects and cigarette butts.

Dardis incorporates a host of objects into his art, which can be anything from a fish with a light in its mouth to huge stars. When he tires from using a blowtorch, Dardis said he works on the maze located behind the shop. It has wooden walls, metal sculptures and a creek.