Welding Wizardry Landscape & Garden Art

Graphics by LazerGuidedVisions

Custom and Other Metal Art Structures to Enhance and Personalize Your Living Spaces

My goal in creating the pieces is to achieve a couple of things. The majority of pieces include a strong "functional" quality. I suspect that I'm still heavily influenced by my growing up on a farm where things were required to function well. An equal objective is to infuse them with reflections of nature, often a whimsical component, and have them full of life and spirit. As an example, a trellis needs to be very functional, supporting plants - stable, strong, secure - however, after the growing season, the trellis needs to be fun and interesting to look at in the landscape. My goal in custom garden gates is to co-create a unique functional gate, reflecting the owner's vision, integrated into the setting, and infused with fun, spirit and life.

I am also attracted to creating interesting pieces that enhance and personalize a landscape. Generally these lack a strong functional dimension (in the gardener sense), but function to appeal to the senses, spirit and life forces that draw one's eyes and interest. I enjoy it when one of my pieces creates a noticeable response as someone approaches, some invite a tactile response (reaching out to touch), others just capture one's total attention (even if only for a few seconds).

This web site has examples of previous and current pieces and projects, to provide you with some ideas of what I've done and perhaps create interest in having an Art Structure in your space.

On this page: Creating a Custom Piece: Materials: Optional Finishes: Where to Find Me

Materials

I'm a frequent visitor to the scrap metal businesses in the area. I primarily use recycled steel, or useable steel as labeled by most recycling places. Generally, the material was scrap, waste, or misshapen steel produced during a metal fabrication process. In addition, I collect interesting "found objects", sometimes with a use in mind, other times, just because it's an interesting shape and I know it'll end up in a future structure. Incorporation of other materials into my metal structures is an area that I am wanting to explore more. See the pieces with fused glass, a gate with inclusion of a large rock, and the five ring structure as examples.

Creating a Custom Piece

I especially enjoy working with clients, who have an idea for a structure, and we co-create an individual art piece. The process usually begins with a visit to the site and discussing a few alternative design ideas, perhaps with a few rough sketches. I then further refine 2-4 sketches of preliminary designs. At a second get together we discuss which design elements, perhaps mixing & matching from the preliminary design, create a design that matches the client's individual preferences, connects with and enhances the space, and reflects a creative spirit. I then prepare a final design to scale, a cost estimate and schedule. After securing a final OK and deposit for 1/2 the cost, I set about creating the piece. Delivery and Installation are negotiable.

Optional Finishes

There are three options for finishing a piece: 1) it will rust into a brown patina if left alone, 2) spray painting provides color and an economical method to prevent rusting, although will require periodic re-painting, about 2-3 year in our climate, 3) powder coating provides a nearly permanent coating and is available in a wide patel of colors. A zinc based undercoat provides for several years of rust free protection, for pieces destined for the Oregon coastal environment, a double undercoating will likely provide 10+ yrs of protection. The powder coating is susceptible to scratches and chipping, it's not quite as hard as your car's paint, but with careful handling it lasts. A piece can have only one powder-coat based color, however, it is a finish that can subsequently be painted additional colors.

Locations

I live in Corvallis, OR and my front yard is populated with numerous pieces, just walk, drive, bike by, stop and say hello. It's easy to find, email me and I send you directions. I also have a booth at the Corvallis Artisan's Market on some Saturdays each month during the spring, summer and fall, including the Holiday Market. My applications are in for the "Art and Wine in the Garden" (Garland Nursery, Aug 7-8) and the Corvallis Fall Festival (Sept 25-26). Email me

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