Techniques

TECHNIQUES

I use various techniques to shape steel and glass:

Blacksmithing

Steel is heated in a forge, then shaped into the desired form over using an anvil, hammer blow by hammer blow.

To work larger metal stock, I use my mechanical 25-lb. Little Giant power hammer. Power hammers are mechanical or air-driven machines with upper and lower dies serving as the hammer and anvil. My power hammer is controlled with a foot pedal, leaving my hands free to work the metal stock.

I was introduced to blacksmithing by William Bastas, an instructor at Austin Community College.

Garden gate with 'stylized pod' pickets

Tack-and-Bend

Tack-and-bend is a process of adding layers. The oxy-acetylene torch is used to spot-heat the metal and bend it into the desired shape.

A single piece of metal is built upon by adding additional metal to create the desired form/shape. A weld pool 'seam' forms where pieces of steel are joined together.

Tom Gingras, an Art Metals instructor at Austin Community College, introduced me to this technique.

'Flamedrop' sculpture

Hammered Sheet

I use 16-gauge sheets of steel for this technique. 16-gauge looks and feels substantial yet can still be hammered 'cold' and by hand.

I cut the sheet into the roughly desired shape using a shear. Texture, depth, and final form are achieved by working the metal over a swage block and anvil with hand hammers.

Metal punches are used in combination with the oxy-fuel torch for spot-heating the metal when deep furrows or details are desired.

The hammered sheet pieces can then be assembled and welded together for the final assembly, such as with an oxy-fuel torch.

Barry George introduced me to this technique.

'Don Carlos' the string dispenser

Stained glass: Flat, fused, slumped, blown

I use stained glass as diffusers in my sculptural lighting. Stained glass comes in an endless variety of colors and patterns.

Stained glass can be cut to size for a piece. It can also be fused or slumped in a kiln.

Fusing involves melting glass together. Slumping involves draping glass over or into a mold. Metal or clay forms are used to make custom-shaped diffusers.

I contract with local glass blowers when necessary.

'Boudoir' table lamp with fused glass panels