Donor Wall display and graphics installed

Finally! The Donor Wall display and graphics are installed and looking good. This display honors the people and families who have made significant donations to the Lee's Summit Educational Foundation's Generations fund. This was a long, but very gratifying project. We worked all day to install the more than 70 colorful leaves, trunk and etched panels. Here is a closer look:

The display fills a big space...more than 10 feet by 8 feet. The wall is located in the soaring lobby of the Stansberry Leadership Center. The idea was to use this as an opportunity to create a beautiful sculpture accented by the recognition panels.

I used a variety of materials in the wall design. Metal leaves and trunk, Rowmark panels, acrylic panes and vinyl decals are the main elements.

The bottom of the wall begins at about 5 feet off the ground. So, lots of space and the challenge of creating something that people will be looking up to view.

From the second floor, the Donor Wall shows off all the components in a colorful way.

The leaves are powdercoated a variety of colors. Each leaf has two spacers that offset it from the wall. This creates interesting shadows and depth throughout the light-filled lobby.

The panels are a metal-looking Rowmark material. A laser was used the etch the names into each panel.

Clear acrylic panels rise above the copper-colored name panels. This helps enhance the depth and interest of the wall.

One-of-a-kind retirement award

I was really proud and pleased to be able to create a special retirement award for my friend, Mike McGraw. Mike has been a writer for The Kansas City Star for 30 years. His investigative reporting skills have revealed a variety of problems in our communities, both locally and nationally. This sculpture is made from the very printing press parts that produced his words and stories. These assorted gears and parts now will grace a shelf in his home...a special memory to the connection his words made in our lives. Enjoy.

Wilderness Reflections sign at Crown Center

Here is the latest sign project from Fossil Forge. This sign is located at Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. The sign is a combination of elements. The letters are cut from 1/8 inch steel and mounted with a small offset to create better shadows and depth. On the left side is a sculptural grouping of cattails. These are made from a variety of steel, handforged, twisted and shaped. The letters and cattails were treated with a rust solution and heated. This helps create some interesting colors. The wolf head cutout is a retail item added to the sign. Wilderness Reflections is on the second floor of the shopping center.

The cattails were a challenging element to add to the sign, but my favorite part of this project. They had to attach to the existing sign box and frame.

A third Little Free Library is open for books

I'm really proud of the latest Little Free Library to come out of Fossil Forge. This one is for Summit Pointe Elementary School, here in Lee's Summit, Mo. The library was commissioned to kick-off Young Authors month. The library is in the shape of a chubby little owl. Open its belly and get ready to share books.

This Little Free Library is made from metal and other steel pieces.

This Library overlooks the Outdoor Learning Center at the school.

The Owl Library is coated in durable enamel paint.

The inside is big, able to hold books of all sizes. A strong door with an acrylic glass front keeps everything in view.

Colorful marble eyes watch over the school.

The official Little Free Library hangs from the owl's talons.

A special kind of wine rack

Need a place to show off a special bottle or more. This custom-made bottle rack is perfect inside or out. It is made to hang on the wall, lean against the wall or swing from a hook. I hope it looks great in its new home...adorned with colorful bottles!

Glass marbles are used as colorful accents on each corner of the rack.

Distressed metal door pulls

Here is one of four metal door pulls that have recently come out of Fossil Forge. These are made with thick 1/4-inch plate, which adds a beefy appearance. The steel is heated up and properly pounded with a hammer. A steel brush helped created the shiny surface. A new handle is attached with screws from the back.

Read all about it!

How about this perfect little place to keep your favorite reading materials? Imagine this hanging on the wall in a bedroom, hallway, basement, even outside on the porch or deck. Fill it with magazines, newspapers, books, even your iPad. This sculpture is made from a variety of steel components, including rustic found objects. This could be painted, or left a natural industrial steel color.

Another Little Free Library spreads the joy of reading

I was so proud to make this brand new Little Free Library for a homeowner at Raintree Lake. This structure is made with steel and is coated with colorful enamel paint. The best part is the spacious interior that holds all kinds of books and other shareable materials. This Library is positioned along the walking path around the lake. A great spot to take a break and puruse the library selections.

The Library symbol is displayed on both sides of the structure.

Eventually, a beautiful garden with benches will surround the Library.

A clear Lexan panel shows off the interior, while providing protection from the elements.

Take Books, Share Books...what could ever be wrong with that?

A great weekend at the Summit Art Festival

A big thank you to everyone who came by the Kid's Zone to check out Roly-Poly and Mister CrankyPants at the Summit Art Festival. I met a lot of interesting and cool people, who gave me some good ideas! The weather was warm on Friday, cool and windy on Saturday and Sunday was perfectly cool. I look forward to the next time I can set up the rolling ball machines!

Sturdy tent anchors ready for installation

Here are 19 (of 20) steel tent anchors off to their new home. These will be installed using 3-inch lag screws. The loops on the anchors are perfect spots to tie off a huge event tent that is erected on the top of a building. Lots of wind, so these need to be strong. The plates are 1/4 inch steel. They are painted with black enamel paint.

A new sign shines at Got Art Gallery

This has been a really fun project. And I am proud to see it finally installed! Got Art Gallery needed a new sign, so I went to work redesigning their logo for a higher impact sign graphic. Next, was the fabrication of a custom bracket (with lights) and a funky frame to display the new sign graphics. This is the result. A clean and crisp contemporary sign!

The sign frame is made from steel and is accented with some decorative details. The frame is coated in a flat black enamel. The sign itself is printed on Dibond aluminum, a lightweight and durable material.

Projections signs, or shingle signs can be so full of character. All they need is a little artistic touch and some classic materials to really shine. This sign is located in downtown Lee's Summit, Mo. A great neighborhood to walk and enjoy a mix of history, restaurants, shops and other businesses.

I purchased the bracket with the built-in lights. Then, I changed it to follow the design better and to fit the existing anchor bolts on the front of the building.

Both sides of the sign feature the same graphics. Bright and bold, perfect for this cool art gallery.

I'll post some photos soon of the sign when we get the electricity hooked up.

A garden grows around this fence

I visited the garden of a gate and fence project I finished a couple of years ago. This fence had two purposes: Frame in a patio garden space and keep the large family dog out. Two heavy-duty gates allow access to the yard. The solid steel fence is welded and painted with a black enamel. The centerpiece is a sculptural trellis. It is capped with a old farm implement. Plus, there are places to hang birdfeeders or plants.

Each gate has a glass sun or moon for an eye-catching design.

The fence is four feet high. Tall and strong enough to keep out the big Labrador dog!

Grill & Cantina sign ready to hang up

Just finished the fabrication of this long Grill & Cantina sign. It is more than 7 feet long. The design was supplied by the client. I had it plasma cut from 1/4 steel plate. Definitely a beefy sign! I welded standoffs on the back to make it easier to install. This will look great at its new Kansas lakefront home. Let me know if you have a idea or design you would like to make into a sign or sculpture.

Bottletree Flower is ready to grow

Another Bottletree Flower has sprouted on the prairie. This stately, rustic sculpture stands 7-feet tall. But it is narrow, so it takes up little space. It has room for 20 colorful bottles. The top is crowned with a farm artifact, still showing its pretty green paint. The piece has a concrete base to hold it steady in the wind. Imagine several of these grouped together. Let me know if you want one... or three! Call Dave at 816.785.3280.

The Bottletree Flower under construction in the shop.

A place to keep a favorite book, magazine

Here is a all-metal book and magazine organizer. Imagine this industrial-looking piece mounted in a favorite room, library, classroom or kid's space. It is perfect to hold several items, even iPads! It is created from handcut steel and adorned with found objects and leftovers in my shop. A great way to give a second life to metal parts and pieces. This particular sculpture will be auctioned this September at the Art for Arthritis gala. I am proud to take part in this event for the third time. Check it out. A great evening of art and inspiration!

This book holder is about 42 inches tall and 24 inches wide. It weighs about five pounds.

Loaded up with reading materials, this rack makes an eye-catching piece on the wall.

Heavy metal Jayhawk

Just finished a special gift of a steel KU Jayhawk. This school spirit garden stake left the shop this afternoon. This bird is handcut from 14 gauge steel sheet. Nice and sturdy in the Midwest weather. I put this one on an extra-long stake to let it rise above the flowers and grasses.

Great Blue Heron made of steel

This sturdy sculptural bird left the shop this afternoon, off to its new home by the lake. A Great Blue Heron was the inspiration for this garden stake. This piece is handcut from steel sheet. The legs are made from rebar and steel balls. I finished it off with sparkling blue eyes. In the garden, it will gently turn a beautiful rust...standing tall above the flowers and grasses.

The bird looks striking against the purple garden shed.

The heron (below) resting against a rebar fence.

Metal decorative ceiling brackets installed

Finally! This project was challenging. Five different designs totally 20 brackets was the result. These hefty metal brackets are wrapped around distressed beams, which are part of a new event space building here in Lee's Summit. The building is called The Stanley and this space is named the Aspen Room. Each beam is different in size, so creating a one-size fits all bracket was out of the question. Lots of measuring and re-measuring.

This bracket enveloped a large beam crossing the room.

The beams criss-cross the room under a beautiful tin ceiling.

At four points, the beams intersect with a vertical support column. This was an especially challenge design in metal. Lots of bends and welds. In addition, we added a strap of steel under the bracket.

Where the beams enter the wall, a shelf-style bracket was used. All of the brackets are anchored with 1/2 inch lag screws.

If you look closely, several designs of brackets are seen in this view. Saddle brackets on the intersecting beams and end brackets where the beams meet the wall.

Here is a view of the entry doors. Lots of woodwork dominates the room. The metal brackets add a different detail.

This saddle bracket is made from 14 gauge steel. The piece is trimmed out using 3/4 inch angle and 1/2 inch flat bar for a more finished look.

Mr. Crankypants out in public

Well, he did it. The second rolling ball sculpture to come out of Fossil Forge Metalworks made its public debut this past weekend at Lee's Summit Downtown Days. This one is called 'Mister Crankypants'...named for the bicycle crank attached to its right side. Four separate tracks carry marbles throughtout the twisting turning maze.

Water streams from the mouth of Mr. Crankypants, ready to douse any marble that misses a jump.

Down below, goldfish dart through a tank filled with the carcasses of lost marbles. A pleasant trickle of water captures the attention of viewers. A chrome bicycle fender creates a pendulum effect as the marbles teeter totter their way back to the bottom.

Young and old played with and watched this interactive rolling ball machine.

The clanking and clanging of dozens of marbles captured the attention of the public, even during a noisy and hectic festival.

Mister Crankypants was joined by Roly-Poly. The beetle-shaped rolling ball sculpture was making its second appearance at the festival.

Roly-Poly was looking fine with its colorful coat of paint.

Yard ornament looks right at home

Thanks to Gary for sending me this photo of his 'Jumping Boy' garden stake sculpture. His friends asked me to make this as a retirement gift. Gary works in occupational and physical therapy, and the logo he uses shows this little boy jumping on a trampoline. I made the logo out of 3/8 inch steel rod. The outline is welded to a simple background shape. A hand-forged curly top adds a nice accent. This sculpture will eventually turn a beautiful rust color. Perfect for its garden setting.