Dylan Hughes is a fifth generation native of Marin County. He made his earliest forays into sculpture in his father's workshop in Fairfax during California's arts and crafts renaissance of the 1970s. The natural compulsion to create, explore, and inspire was fueled by his father's passion for building. Growing up in construction gave Hughes the necessary background for understanding design, joinery, finish and discipline in rendering three-demensional forms. While Hughes has explored music, photography, and film extensively, it is his passion for metal sculpture that has been the driving force in his artistic life since the age of 19. After exhausting all resources available at the local junior college sculpture department, Hughes went on to study under master sculptor Carl Dern for the next two years. Dern's influence on Hughes cannot be understated, as he helped to solidify his philosophical and methodological approach to metal art design. 

The next phase found Hughes starting to build his own studio. While building his studio, Hughes found himself drawn once again to music, photography and film. He explored the mixture of diverse mediums with other young artists in the area, including Tom Boss with whom he developed a cabaret-style film venue for showcasing independent and classic films. Hughes went on to make contributions to film in set construction and special effects. After a brief stint in the Local 16 Stagehand's Union working projects for Lucas Film, Disney, Warner Bros. and independent directors, Hughes redoubled his focus on metal art and design when he opened his studio under the name Steel Art & Design. Over the past 21 years Hughes has produced numerous metal sculptures, furniture and interior design pieces.