This slender sculpture emulates sea grasses undulating in the ocean’s current.
‘Underwater Wisps’ features textured tapers, a bulbous pod, and a hint of an anemone emerging from the base. The compact size of this piece makes it a suitable accent for a bookshelf, fireplace mantel, or desk credenza. Or as a gift to your favorite marine biologist!... ‘Underwater Wisps’ measures 15” tall x 7” wide x 3” deep. This tabletop sculpture is the first in a new series inspired by ‘slice patterns,’ such as cross-sections of red cabbage or wood grain patterns.
Each sculpture in this series will feature ‘pass-through’ joinery, a traditional blacksmithing technique. For example, this sculpture focuses attention on the textured flat bar which has been pierced and threaded onto a central element in 6 places. Butterflies have long been considered a symbol of transformation, endurance, hope, and life. The symbolism associated with butterflies made working on this piece a joy.
Cousin Mark wanted a tabletop butterfly sculpture for his wife who adores butterflies. Aside from those parameters, I was given carte blanche when designing the piece. The client wanted a wall piece which evoked flowing water. In initial discussions, words she used were ‘ripple,’ ‘wave,’ and ‘undulate.’ Specifically, she wanted the water to flow from top left to bottom right.
To execute the client’s vision, I decided upon three forged shapes, to be produced in multiples. When combined in a variety of ways with each other, they indicate a directional flow. My brother-in-law, Dean, has worked with mink his entire career as a mink food formulator. HIs wife, Debbie, wanted to honor his retirement with a sculpture of a mink.
The image Debbie had in mind for the sculpture was based on past experience at a northern Minnesota lake. As described in an e-mail, “We were quietly canoeing one morning, following the shoreline about 30 feet out. Each year I make donations of sculpture to non-profits.
Balcones Forge and Child Advocates were the two most recent recipients of a pair of my elephant ear bookends to include in silent auctions at their annual fundraisers. Funds raised from my donated sculpture will go towards the mission of each of these non-profits. I wish them the best in their endeavors! I’m a fan of Galveston, TX, and have been for many years. When living in Houston, day trips on the weekend to Galveston were commonplace for me.
This series is both functional and decorative. The inspiration for this series is the plant that looks like an elephant's ear.
I think the bookend sculptures in this series are particularly delightful! Inserting books between the two asymmetrical, yet complementary, bookends is purely optional, as the two pieces look lovely nestled side-by-side, sans literature. I think these bookends might be a new signature item for me!... The stems of these sculptures are made of steel which I bought from the metal recycling yard (previously someone's porch railing if my guess is correct). The stems are 1/2" square stock, tapered and brought to life on the power hammer using texturing/art dyes. The leaves are 16 gauge sheet which I hammered to shape on the swage block and anvil. I gave the leaves depth by welding 1/8" rod around the edges. Overall dimensions of the bookends are about 16" tall x 8" wide x 7" deep. The sculptures are of various tabletop sizes. My botanical sculptures are now on exhibit at Copper Shade Tree in Round Top, TX.
This fine crafts gallery in the heart of Round Top features Texas-based artists -- including this Austin-based gal! Copper Shade Tree features a wide variety of mediums, and I'm pleased to have my steel sculptures displayed amongst such stunning, original works! |
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