I completed a special weathervane today. This sculpture will take its place in a customer's garden. The symbol of a tree and an apple is in memory of their father's lives. This sturdy piece will twist in the wind. Over time, nature will transform the color from shiny steel to a warm, rich, rusty hue. The direction letters are adjustable, so it can point north no matter where it is placed.
Did a little bit of everything today in the metal shop. Cutting, welding, grinding, drawing, thinking. I am working on a neat weathervane sculpture. Here is a peek at the main portion. I'll have this finished this weekend, so check back for more photos.
I am amazed at the continuing activity in the garden for this time of year. Yesterday, a shasta daisy surprised me with a couple of new blooms. They look beautiful set against autumn colors, metal sculptures and a blue Missouri sky. Sadly, tonight we are expecting our first freeze, and that should put an end to this late season flourish.
Yesterday, I finished another piece for Fossil Gardens. This sculpture is called BugBot. It is a medium-sized insect totem. The belly is filled with colorful glass. Industrial flotsam, gears, wrenches and old stove parts make up the majority of the sculpture. I can imagine how cool this will look capped with snow or after a summer rain.
Today, I welded up the base for a developing sculpture. This piece will fastened to an existing fence post. Everything has to be level and square. I think this will become either a robot or insect. Not sure yet. Check back for more photos.
Took a couple of hours the other day to straighten up the place. It seemed like there was an inch of metal dust on everything. But a little sweeping and de-cluttering and just like that I had a clean place to work. The two benches (first photo) are used for a variety of design and fabrication. They are separated by my grandfather's old tool chest. A real heirloom to me. Plus, in this area the light is good, so I develop ideas in my sketchbook and listen to music here. I love all kinds of cool metal parts and pieces. So, I have to be a bit organized. I use a bunch of old coffee cans (second photo) to hold everything from washers to bolts to metal stuff I can't identify. Makes it fun to paw through to find just the right piece.
This month has been a beautiful slide from summer into the peaceful season of fall. Around the shop and garden, time and temperatures are transforming the landscape. The sculptures are changing with the leaves. Flowers continue to bloom, including spiderwort and purple coneflowers. The land could use some rain, though. Maybe this weekend?
A couple of late bloomers with the Bottle Monster watching the whole scene.
A resident spider watches the turning leaves with its bright eyes.
This morning, I added the matching trellises to the entrance gate to Fossil Gardens. This primary piece of sculpture will offer visitors a peak at what they will discover in the garden. A skinny-legged bird, made from found objects, stands guard. A large flywheel spider with spark plug feelers anchors the center of the piece. The angle trellis pieces will offer a fine place for vines to climb. Plus, they add strength to the towering sculpture
Fossil Gardens is sprouting with a array of metal sculptures and water features. This backyard wildlife habitat combines art, animals and the overarching philosphy of environmental awareness. The garden is open to the public. Just call for a tour. The amazing run of great weather has provided a productive period in the shop. Check back soon for more.
Been taking advantage of the perfect fall weather. If there is work outside, I'm all over it. Today, had a customer drop off a trailer that needed some repairs. It was a pretty husky trailer. But rust had taken a toll, especially on the support struts along the side. After removing the rusty sections, I cut and welded some fresh steel in place. The hitch assembly was kind of a mess. It was bent and twisted and the original welds had torn. So, I added some new steel sections and welded it all up together. Now it is stronger than ever and ready to go to the next contractor job.
My experiment with a grass strip down the center of the driveway failed. Seems the heat from a newly parked car was just too much for the grass. It dried out and died. So, I dug out the grass and dirt and laid in a new pattern of brick. The remnant brick is from our house addition from two years ago. I was glad to finally find a place for it. About half of the grass is thriving, because it is never under a car. So, for now it will be a mixture of grass and brick.
Finished another Window Word sculpture yesterday. This is a donation to a local school auction scheduled for next month. The green glass really stands out on this one. These sculptures are handmade using mostly recycled steel and glass.
Today, I installed a pretty cool garden gate that I built. The client owns a Craftsman-style bungalow and wanted a gate that captured some of the lines and design of the house. She gave me a simple line drawing of the design she wished for. So, here is a look at the finished gate. Definitely reminds me of architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
The gate is 36 inches tall by 40 inches wide and constructed of steel. The hinges and latch are very sturdy...able to take on the weather and lots of extra use.
I finished the sculptural fence panels. A sun and moon grace to middle of each section. The top railing is crested with the words 'Let art play a part.' I love this quote, especially near the entrance to Fossil Gardens, where visitors can enjoy the sculptures, pond and native plants and animals.
The past couple of days I have added several sections to the iron garden fence. Eventually, this fence will surround an extension of the wildlife habitat and sculpture park here at Fossil Gardens. This stretch of fence follows the sidewalk, which will offer visitors and passerbys a pleasing look into the landscape. A large sculpture will be centerpieced in one section of the fence. At the head of the drive, a tall gate and arbor will welcome people into the space. Stay tuned for more updates in the weeks ahead.
Here is the fifth in a series of industrial birdhouses I have been making. This one is a collection of many pieces of found objects and other castoff items. Old motor mounts offer a sturdy place for this house to stand. Wrenches, sockets, casters and washers finish off the face. On the back, a handy door offers access to the interior. This birdhouse will be auctioned at the upcoming Art for Arthritis gala at Studio Dan Meiners in Kansas City. The date for that event is Sept. 23, 2010. However, tomorrow night (Sept. 16) will be a preview party at One Park Place, also in Kansas City. This is an incredible building to showcase the artworks made by children with arthritis. This summer, I worked on a sculpture with a young child suffering from this disease. Her cool metal sculpture will be on display tomorrow and up for auction at next week's event. Everyone is invited to attend. Hope to see you there. For more information, go here.
The everchanging landscape here at Fossil Gardens continues to create wonder and beauty. A season of growing has resulted in robust grasses throughout the prairie. Frogs, dragonflies and fish call the pond home. As we head toward cooler weather and the changes that brings, the memories and colors of summer will remain in my mind.
This week, I setup a small display of sculpture at North Bridge Gallery in Smithville, Mo. The gallery is located in the downtown area of this town near the shores of Smithville Lake. The gallery is filled with the work of local and national artists. Lots of great photography, ceramics, painting, woodcraft and jewelry. Thank you to Wayne and Joyce for giving me the opportunity. Stop by and explore the gallery.
This garden stake sculpture is crowned with a large metal butterfly. The insect is cut from a sheet of steel and adorned with a variety of found objects. The curly-cue mouthpiece is made from the metal rods that support old political yard signs. Green glass eyes will keep this winged marvel staring out across your landscape.
As summer comes to close, the dancing flights of damselflies can still be observed around the pond here at Fossil Gardens. This metal replica captures the delicate bodies of these insects. This creature is made from an assortment of steel objects. Put it in your garden for a year-round symbol of these beautiful bugs.
With all the talk of bed bugs sweeping across the nation, I thought I'd make a insect that is a little more loved. This ladybug beetle is made from found objects and recycled steel. It is attached to a long stake so it can stand tall in your garden.
Here is a assemblage of several Window Words that have left the shop recently. These metal sculptures are perfect for hanging inside or outside. All of these pieces are available at Gifted Hands art gallery, located here in Kansas City. If you would like a special word or name created in this style, just let me know. Call Dave at 816.785.3280. These sculptures are $30.
