ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Off I-275 and tucked in the back of a workshop, sparks are flying.

Don Gialanella's passion for sculpting is strong and steely.

“Over the years my ambitions have grown, along with the sizes of the pieces that I create," said Gialanella.

If only his hands had the same iron will.

“I can’t say too much positive about Parkinson’s, I will tell you that," he said. “We are all struggling with something, mine is just very visible.”

Gialanella was diagnosed in 2016 with Parkinson's Disease. It's the constant goal of this artist to keep creating, keep moving and to keep it at bay.

“I think it motivates me to go on," he said. "I’ve seen people at about my stage of Parkinson’s and they are basically in a wheel chair. I keep pushing forward."

The art he creates is everywhere across Florida and on display across the country. 

“Without my sculpture I would be lost," Gialanella said. "I really would be, it’s everything to me."

The pieces he creates are more than memorable. Most of them are so big a person has to crane their neck up to see.

Completing these giants with shaky hands is another battle entirely. 

Beside him most days is an assistant, like Hope Crosson, or other artists eager to learn from Gialanella.

“It’s inspired me as well, to be a better person, and to not let obstacles, hold me back," said Crosson. She said she has learned more about welding by helping Gialanella.

“I like to think of my art with an element of humor to it and light heartedness, and looking at things differently," said Gialanella

Different it is, but beautiful all the same. He bends steel to his will, even as the disease steals away time for future creations. 

“We are prisoners of our body, we have to make the best of it," said Gialanella.

“I hope I can inspire people that they too can go on in spite of their difficulties." he added.