Much of what we build here at Fossil Forge falls into the utilitarian and practical category. Here is a project that entailed making two grates. The problem was how to cover a drain channel that crossed in front of the garage. These grates are 5 feet long and will help make a smooth transition from the driveway to the garage. Each gate is made from heavy gauge steel tube and a bar grid in the middle. Easy to drive over, especially with a vintage scooter collection, which this client owns.
Here the latest home for birds. This piece is called 'Tweet'. It is constructed of recycled and castoff metals. All of these birdhouses can be placed outside in the garden. Of course, out in the elements, each birdhouse will turn a beautiful rusty brown in a few weeks. This will only add to their character in the yard. This particular house also has an access door on the rear. The nose is a porcelain doorknob.
Here is the latest birdhouse sculpture. This is No. 3 of 5 in this series. This piece is big and brawny and can hold its own against the elements. It is made from recycled steel and other unwanted metals. On the back is a door to access the inside - just in case you have to clean out a old nest! Or, if you just want a secret place to hide something. This particular sculpture is part of a silent auction for the Lee's Summit Educational Foundation.
Here's the latest metal project for the house. I've wanted to remake our house address letters (which were removed during our remodel last year) in a different way. So, I spent a morning in the shop coming up with this solution. I really enjoyed making the letterforms. Now, the delivery guy can find the right house!
If you're in the neighborhood, take a look for this new sign hanging outside Fossil Forge. The metal sign measures 16 inches wide by 34 inches high. It is hand-cut from steel. If you know of anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind sign for their business or garden, let me know.
I have been building some new birdhouses lately. These are constructed from steel and will stand up to all kinds of abuse, from the weather to squirrels to birds. These structures have a hinged door on the back to allow access to the interior. The front, sides and roof are adorned with recycled and found objects. These can be hung or attached to a post, fence or tree. Let me know if you want one.
Listen to sound of the breeze as the metal hands of this chime clang together. The cut-steel hands of this wind chime sculpture are made from the outlines of children's hands. Mixed together with some other shapes, this durable metal sculpture provides a rich sensory experience.
Wow! What a Christmas snowstorm. Here at Fossil Gardens, the snow started piling up on Christmas Eve. The wind was incredible – lots of drifts. Today, the snow began to taper off, so I ventured out to take some photos of the sculpture garden.
Here are a few shots of some garden spider sculptures that have come out of the shop. These leggy metal arachnids are about 2-feet wide and 18-inches tall. Perfect for keeping a lookout in your garden.
COLD! Tuesday's storm brought snow and bitter temperatures to the garden. The waterfall keeps on chugging along, encased in a shield of ice. The various sculptures are dusted with snow. I love the brightness of the sun in this landscape.
A beautiful piece of slag glass peeks out from the base of this Bottle Monster sculpture.
A Window Word sculpture.
We are nearing the end of the year and the start of winter. The landscape here at Fossil Gardens has undergone lots of changes. A large pond and waterfall were added this autumn. Landscaping will have to wait until spring. I did add some sculptures and bottle trees which will begin aging as they stand as sentinels around the pond. I may add some lights inside the bottles for Christmas. That should look cool and colorful.
The last couple of weeks have been steady in the shop here at Fossil Forge. I have been completing a interesting display piece for the Lee's Summit School District. The sculpture is part of a new display showcasing the current and former teachers of the year. The frame is made from steel tube. I used large hollow steel balls to finish the corners. The letters and school district logo (a stylized graduate raising an arm, see it?) were cut from a CNC plasma system at the high school. The piece was powdercoated a glossy black. The graphic elements hanging from the sculpture are encased in acylic and attached to the grid background. This will make for easy updating of the graphics each year. Finally, I made a custom metal bracket to hold a video monitor that will highlight the teachers. Thanks to everyone who helped this project along, including the building maintenance guys who lent a hand installing it.
Here’s another image and some information from a school district newsletter.
A big Chevrolet 350 flywheel forms the body of this big metal spider. Wouldn't this sculpture look great standing in the middle of low-growing plants and grasses? Yellow glass eyes reflect its surroundings.
As some of you know, I love the use of bottles and glass in many of my sculptures. This photo shows the top portion of the most recent 'Bottle Monster'. This piece hold eight colorful bottles that look stunning year-round. Especially in the gray garden days of winter. The monster is made from pieces of an old birdbath, wrenches and other orphaned machine parts.
A friend and I were photographing some of my recent sculptures. A couple of the larger pieces were set-up in the driveway. Well, while shooting pictures of the newest 'Bottle Monster', a huge gust of wind kicked up. I was standing up on a ladder holding a backdrop, so I could only watch as the sculpture and its eight gorgeous bottles tipped over, banged into the car and smashed to the ground. It was a pretty cool wreck, all the bottles were casualties. But the sculpture stayed strong (I was secretly proud the welds held). More bottles and were back in business.
Here a great spot for birds to set up shop. This tough metal birdhouse sculpture is called 'Skybox'. It stands more than 6 feet tall. Place this artwork on your deck, balcony or in the yard. Or, it would look great inside as a stand-alone conversation piece. The house is made from cut metal and adorned with washers, nuts and old doorknobs. As a bonus, there is a backdoor to allow cleaning access in case you welcome a new family of birds. All of this perches on a heavy-duty metal stand with a swinging window weight for interest.
This eager sculpture is ready to take a place in your home or garden. Sturdy and strong, this robot is called 'The Messenger'. Made from printing press parts, the bot is highlighted by its blue orb belly. Heavy solid steel feet will keep this four-foot high sculpture anchored in place.
Here is long-term flower for your garden. 'Coneflower' will forever bloom in any setting, sun or shade, wet or dry. This pivoting sculpture is made from a Model T spring and other car parts. The petals are hand-cut and hand-hammered. The center of the flower is porcelain doorknob. This sculpture stands about 4 feet high.
A nifty old brass gauge sits atop this glass-filled vessel. This sculpture is called 'Gauge'. It is made from a variety of old metal pieces. The art stands about two-feet tall. It looks really compelling when backlit or placed in front of a window setting.
