The process is basically this: I begin with sheet copper, manipulate it, cut it and shape it, and weld it together using a process called brazing, which involves welding together copper with bronze using an oxy-acetylene torch. These days very few still use an oxy-acetylene troch. It is becoming a lost art.
Where applicable, I reinforce my structures with stainless steel, which does not rust. Thus, the materials that I work with are as permanent as can be. They will last a long, long time, longer than you or I or our children and grandchildren.
When the sculpture is complete, I most often give it a blue-green patina using acids and other chemicals. I can also wire brush areas. Sometimes I wire brush the entire piece. Especially for smaller work I do that so you can enjoy holding it and feeling the bare copper. For larger work that typically goes outside, I often finish by coating it with Permalac. This reduces the wear and tear on the patina so that it will last longer, at least ten years. By that time, all one need do is give it another coat of Permalac, and the sculpture will be good to go outside for another ten years or so.
This process is labor intensive. But I enjoy the work. I enjoy making sculptures that make others laugh and smile and have fun.
Where applicable, I reinforce my structures with stainless steel, which does not rust. Thus, the materials that I work with are as permanent as can be. They will last a long, long time, longer than you or I or our children and grandchildren.
When the sculpture is complete, I most often give it a blue-green patina using acids and other chemicals. I can also wire brush areas. Sometimes I wire brush the entire piece. Especially for smaller work I do that so you can enjoy holding it and feeling the bare copper. For larger work that typically goes outside, I often finish by coating it with Permalac. This reduces the wear and tear on the patina so that it will last longer, at least ten years. By that time, all one need do is give it another coat of Permalac, and the sculpture will be good to go outside for another ten years or so.
This process is labor intensive. But I enjoy the work. I enjoy making sculptures that make others laugh and smile and have fun.
Pictures of Beau working on a sculpture.
Here I am cutting out arms for my dancing frog.
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Here I am adjusting the arms and a working on the hands and fingers.
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A close up of working on the hands and fingers.
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Adjusting the arms...
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Cutting out and preparing fingers.
Tack welding the arms... And so it goes. Always more work. This sculpture will need eyes and more brazing (welding with brass).
Here I am designing some basses for frogs playing bass.
I map it out on stainless steel.
Here I am using a plasma cutter to cut out the shapes.
Noxious fumes abound. This is serious, intensive labor.
Another shot of me cutting stainless steel.
Lots of crates of lots of frogs: sold.
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The shop after spring cleaning.
I have since moved from this studio. For the past three years, I have worked at my home. But now I am going to find a new studio. Can you imagine trying to do this in your home?
Get on the mailing list. I'm not going to annoy you with a pesky pop-up. But I do recommend, at your leisure, getting on the mailing list, if you are at all interested in my work.