My most recent composition is this found object metal wall art consisting of two modules. Top module is distressed found steel object brazed into an eye catching geometric pattern. This is in turn mounted to a base consisting of 3 pieces of angle iron weld jointed together. The connections of these two modules was done with vintage square headed bolts into hand threaded holes.
This brutalist mid century modern brazed nail metal wall art is a one of a kind handmade creation. Each square cut masonry nail was carefully set into eye catching patterns and braze welded with a gas torch. Then the finished piece was repeatedly cleaned of oxidation and heat markings to bring out the natural beauty of brass filler metal and carbon steel nails. From top to bottom, this piece measures 19.5” in length and 9.5” at its largest width. Three mounting hooks were installed to create a dimensional look as well as offer multiple configurations for hanging the piece in a home or office.
The central focus of this braze welded decor is this accent piece featuring nails actually coated with the bronze filler rod. This just adds to the natural metallic contrast creating more of a pop off the wall effect.
Zooming out a little bit you can see how the embellished accent ties into the composition. This wall sculpture was designed so it can also be hung horizontally but, in my honest opinion, I think the vertical mounting is obsoletely breathtaking.
A solid welded steel wall sculpture in minimalist abstract styling welded in bold simple colors. Each piece was cut carbide tooling to produce nice edges and arc welded by hand to a geometric abstract configuration ideal for casting different shadows in different lighting angles. The freeform style allows this sculpture to be hung in any direction that suits your decor needs. At 18” height, 13 inches in width and less than 2 inches deep, this minimalist sculpture could accent a larger piece of art or stand alone on a narrow fence or wall.
This postmodern minimalist wall sculpture is hand welded and blends bright paint colors with the look of bare metal. Sweeping curves and simple primary colors hint at Mondrian or Memphis art style influences. The bare steel frame tones down and contrast adding a slightly rustic appearance.
This is a smaller accent piece made from hollow square steel tubing and 1/8 inch steel plate and measures 10.25”X 13” and 1/2” deep.
To give a more visual appeal, the painted shapes were contrasted with bare steel for texture and tonal effects. the bold colors still pop but the bare steel blends with most backgrounds yet creates a presentable frame for the multicolored shapes.
In my latest work, I made some abstract geometric shapes from 3/16″ steel diamond plate. I welded them with a gas torch in angular formations to cast distinct shadows and get some light play off the shiny black and copper paint job.
I really like how light shimmers off the copper paint job!
My latest creation is this modern up-cycled welded steel table sculpture. I chose to do a color scheme based on earth tone pigments in a modern style.
One of my favorite pastimes is making paints from dry pigments. Metal oxide and earth pigments are widely available, easily dispersed, and inexpensive. They are duller and less saturated that organs modern pigments, but still can be incorporated into interesting modern abstract artworks.
The key is to set up contrast to get the most of the hues. Most earth pigments are very opaque but can be applied as slightly translucent over a lighter color such as white to brighten them or over grey or black to darken them.
Labeled Cardboard Patterns
Now we are ready for the cool part! We have our cardboard patterns and we just need to stick them onto the material we want to cut with a temporary adhesive so they can be removed and saved or discarded. My favorite glue to use is rubber cement. It forms a decent enough bond to hold things in place while cutting yet its super easy to pull off and any cement residue comes off by rubbing with fingers.
Cardboard Template Glued to Plexiglass Scrap with Rubber Cement
The cement dries in like 15 minutes so you can run quick errands while it dries and it’s ready for cutting when you return. Since I am cutting pretty small pieces of acrylic plexiglass, I feel safer using hand tools. In the photo below, I’m using a coping saw with a fine toothed blade to cut the pattern in the plastic. BTW, I get a better edge on plexiglass when I put one or two drops of 3 in 1 oil in the blade before cutting.
Cardboard for Templates
I wanted to create small specifically shapes in some artwork I’m working on. Since I’m using pieces cut from scrap plexiglass sheet, I want to get it right the first time. Secondly, rigid material like plastics and sheet metal make reworking tedious and time consuming. Cardboard is a soft paper based product that is easily cut with box knives or hobby knives.
Tracing the Pattern on Scrap Cardboard
To get started, I simply placed the artwork over some scrap cardboard. I decided where I want to insert my final piece of acrylic plastic and I label all four sides of the artwork and trace out the rough outline of the template.
Inspired by mid century decor, this steel sculpture was hand welded with a gas torch. Some of the nails were covered with bronze filler metal to add texture and contrast. The alternating steel plates were finished with a distressed aged copper patina for additional interest and focus.
Dimensions
Height: 21 Inches; Width: 11 Inches; Depth: 2 Inches
For this and other sculptures check my Etsy shop.
I had this bundle of square 304 stainless steel square bars I purchased in St. Louis in March of this year. I got tired of constantly moving them out of my way. They needed to do something for me. So, I spent a week mentally picturing what I wanted to create. I wanted a grid pattern with various accents. Unfortunately, my jig setup did not pan out due to technical issues. I messed up. Out of frustration, I started welding some rods at an angle to create a distorted grid. I actually preferred this and went with it. My new contemporary stainless steel wall sculpture was born. I opened a new door to a new accent. A single large stainless ring. I chose not to color it as I’m staying with a brushed metal finish.
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