Metal birdhouse off to a new nest

I think this is Birdhouse No. 6. These funky birdhouse sculptures are made from a variety of bits and pieces found around the shop. This one stands tall on skinny legs and chunky feet. The roof is sprinkled with old wrenches, plumbing parts and nuts and bolts. Blue and green marbles shine as eyes. On the back is a door to access the inside. Now, all you have to do is wait for a feathered friend to make it a home.

Casting a shadow on a sunny afternoon.

The birdhouse hiding in the tallgrass prairie.

Last night, I used the birdhouse in the center of a table display at the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce gala. It was a good chance to promote the upcoming GardenWalk Lee's Summit garden tour this summer.

Deck railing ready to shine

Finally, took some photos of a recent deck railing project. For starters, the deck was a beautiful place to build something. Freshly built onto the rear of a great little Tudor-style home. The homeowners requested a simple design accented by a centerpiece panel. The panel displays a stylized tree silhouette. The entire railing is made from steel and welded together. All of this makes for a sturdy and long-lasting barrier. A coat of black enamel paint covers the railing. Here is to many great years outside enjoying the view!

There are two openings along the deck.

The twin tree silhouettes were hand-cut from steel and welded into the railing frame.

Window security cages are installed

Spent the last couple of days finishing the Window Cage project. This was an interesting problem to solve. The client wanted something to address the issue of covering the window wells at a 1940s-era house. Security, good design and practicality were crucial. Also, access for the family cat and a place to climb out in an emergency were key. Each cage is approximately 3 feet deep by 6 feet wide. Plus, the angle of each is different because of the grade around the house. Plexiglass panels will cover each side. This will prevent leaves and other yard debris to gather in the wells.

This cage has a hinged hatch that can be opened. But most of the time it will be locked.

The top of each cage has a steel silhouette of a cardinal. Each window structure is made from 1/2 inch steel bar and 1 inch steel tube. It is all covered in black enamel paint.

A table full of memories

A couple of weeks ago, I finished working on a special project. A customer had a great idea to blend some family farm relics into a modern table. The result was a really cool solution. This narrow table incorporates steel, glass and wood. I built the steel frame using a simple design to show off the artifacts. The perforated, wrinkled and rusty metal piece hangs under the glass top. It brings back memories of a growing up on a farm. The metal was remembered as a place where a father sat to change his boots during a daily round of chores. The lower shelf uses wood rescued from a decaying barn on the property. All of these pieces were integrated into a useful table. A great way to display family history in a practical setting!

Over the years, a tree grew up into the metal piece. Left behind is a wonderful burl, which adds even more character to the table.

A glass top was used to reveal the floating metal piece. The stout metal table frame is coated in a glossy black enamel paint.

The bottom shelf will make a useful spot for other items. Or left alone to show off the barn wood.

Monster metal bird feeder

I have started to make a series of cool Monster Bird Feeders. These are made from steel and found objects, and of course, glass eyes! Each has a beautiful rust patina that is coated with a tough acrylic sealer. The top of the creatures mouth opens to pour in the seed. There is removable plexiglass to hold the seed in view. On the back is a strong hanger for wherever it is placed: fence, tree, or deck post. Look for more soon.

Artifact table is ready for relics

Today, I made progress on this cool end table. This project will blend a modern, simple design with two pieces of artifacts from a family farm. A glass top will allow the relics to show through. The table frame will be painted black.

The bottom shelf will be filled with salvaged wood from the old barn. The wood pieces are great. Each filled with knots, nails and other collections of time.

Time to make some window cages

Started on a pair of custom window cages that will fit over two basement window wells. They are being fabricated from one-inch square tube. These structures will act as security, and as supports for plexiglass, which will prevent leaves and moisture from falling through. Each one is a little different, so I need to pay close attention to exact measurements. Here we go!

Custom metal light sconces are illuminating

Today, I installed nine light sconces at Perazelli's restaurant. The sconces are each hand-cut and cold-formed to shape. I used an existing light fixture for reference and designed the shades to attach to them. Here is a little step-by-step of how they were born.

1. I cut out blanks from a 16-gauge steel sheet. Two side were clean and straight. The other sides were hand cut for a more informal appearance.

2. Using a template, I outlined the logo of the restaurant onto each. Just had to make sure everything was centered. At this stage, I also drew the corner designs and drilled out the hole attachment.

3. After cutting out the design with a plasma torch, I muscled the pieces into shape. The correct radius was created using a hammer, anvil and large piece of pipe. Oh, I also used a grinder to make a clean surface on the steel.

4. Next, I used a solution to help make the pieces rust quickly. This is a cool process. After achieving the color I liked, I brush on an acrylic sealer. This creates a glossy finish and protects each piece.

5. Lastly, each sconce was fastened to its mount. The restaurant is still under construction, so no booths are nearby. But you can get the idea of how they will look.

A better place to store parts

Recently, this big flat file found its way into the shop. It is a beast! Heavy and metal, perfect to hold a bunch of parts and other steel stuff. I'm using it to help organize all the pieces I use in different sculptures. One drawer holds things that look like eyes. Others hold noses, mouths and head decorations. I like being able to pull out each drawer and see what is available.

What's in this drawer?

Holiday Windows unveiled

What a great night! Beautiful fall weather and a big crowd were out enjoying the Power & Light District. At 6 p.m., the windows were uncovered and 12 new artworks were revealed. The piece I created is called Flow.

Here is the concept behind the sculpture: Goodness, especially during the holiday season, moves through each of us. This is represented with moving water. Clean water flows through each section. Our community, visualized with the four faces, interact with the water as it moves from mouth to mouth. The gentle sound of the trickling water captures the quiet, meditative mood of December. The water stream pours across a column of fractured slag glass. The brightly-colored glass sparkles under a sheen of water. The glass shows off our diversity of faiths and beliefs during the season. The water is recirculated again, representing the pattern of tradition during the holidays.

The sculpture is at MeMa's Bakery (12th and Main). They are a terrific local business that deserves our support.

Also, if you can, please vote for Flow at kcholidaywindows.com. The MS Society of Mid-America is my charity. So, if my sculpture wins, then the MS Society will too!

A metal map of Italy

In the process of creating a couple of projects for a local Italian restaurant called Perazelli's. Their newest location is opening soon in Raymore, Mo. The goal was to create a cool art piece for the entryway. Made of stacked stone and featuring a fireplace, the entry is a definite focal point. The owner had a simple request: Make a map of Italy (and its islands) from steel. Oh, and offset it from the stone wall so it looks like it is floating. Attaching it to the wall was tricky. The rock faces are uneven and not the same depth, so it took some planning to hang properly. The pieces are finished with a light pewter patina and then two coats of acrylic sealer were brushed on.

This photo (below) shows the clip system I used to attach the maps. I used a paper template to mark the locations on the rock. A hammerdrill was used to drill the holes. Then, I attached L-shaped brackets (with shims to level and square everything) with Tapcon screws. A sturdy and effective way to hang this sculpture.

Holiday Windows sculpture beginning to grow

I was fortunate enough to be chosen to participate in this year's Holiday Windows on Main. The event is in downtown Kansas City. Twelve artists will decorate windows of participating business along Main Street in the Power & Light District. My piece will be in MeMa's Bakery (near the corner of 12th and Main). The photos below show the frame and basket under construction. You will have to check back to see what it becomes.

Italy under construction

I have been working on a neat set of sculptures. A metal map of Italy, Sicily and Sardinia will hang in a new Italian restaurant. These hand cut metal pieces will be anchored to a rock wall at the entrance to the place. This view shows the backside of the map with the hanging tabs in place. Check back for more pics.

Final railing is ready

Just a quick picture today of the centerpiece deck railing. This section is more than 9 feet in length. Unprimed and unpainted, this piece will soon be receiving a fresh coat of paint. Time to deliver it to the homeowner. Check back soon for photos of the finished deck project.

The centerpiece railing

Almost done. I have been finishing the main centerpiece panel of the deck railing project. This piece is tricky. Not only is it the largest section, it also sits at a quirky angle. So, after a couple fit checks at the site, the section is ready to be put together. The photo below shows my mess of an assembly table. I made a simple jig frame to hold the rails square while I weld the pickets into place.

This railing will have a two large hand-cut steel images. Generally, I draw out the finished concept in Adobe Illustrator on the Mac. Here, I can work out proportion and design. Then, using the computer drawing as reference, I sketch out the image on poster board. This helps to tweak the design and to make sure it fits properly. This photo shows the early drawing and the cutout poster board template of the final design.

Finally, I use the poster board template to trace the design onto a large sheet of steel. I use a Sharpie, because it is easy to see while cutting with the plasma torch. This photo shows the finished cutout designs. I still have to grind and weld things into place. So more to come, but almost finished.

Deck railings almost finished

A cool weather couple of days have really encouraged lots of shop work. Lots of leaves falling and the smell of woodsmoke. Definitely a fine time of year. I have been assembling a series of rails for a recently installed deck. The design is simple, but strong. The rails will be painted, but for now they show off their true steeliness!

More sculptures in the garden

Fossil Gardens continues to sprout new metal creations. The most recent is this Squirrel-Crow totem. It is made from a variety of car parts, old garden tools and other leftovers I found in my shop. This piece stands more than eight feet tall. Will it chase away all the begging squirrels in the yard? No chance. But I like it anyway.

Looking east into the heart of Fossil Gardens.

Fence and gates installed are ready to go

I spent a couple of days this week installing the hospice fence and gates. This has been a really gratifying project. The client is Alexandra's House, which is a baby hospice here in Kansas City. They work out of a cool old house in the Westport neighborhood. We decided on a classic steel fence with two gates with a symbolic baby angel. The fence runs about 40 feet and stands about 36 inches tall. A durable black enamel paint covers the whole thing.

Fence and gate under construction

The last couple of weeks have been filled with lots of neat projects. Here is a photo of a fence section under construction. These are all solid steel, handcut and handcrafted. All welded together into a strong, durable and artistic fence. These will last a lifetime. I hope the client enjoys the final result.