A Copper Alliance Member
Copper in the Arts
Brian Western: Giving New Life To Bottles Through Stained Glass
German Antique Honey Bee
Photograph courtesy of Brian Western
“He had showed me techniques in cutting glass out of his stained glass shop in Winnipeg,” recalls Western. “Then I just developed things, and I was always fascinated with the idea of getting the curve of glass to make leaves. When I was drinking an exotic ale one day, I thought, ‘Why not use this curve?’”
And so the uniquely artistic medium for Western Art Glass was born. Western’s hand-crafted bearings (earrings in the jewelry world), pendants, twirling leaves and mobiles are sliced from the bottoms and sloping sides of globally produced beer bottles, like Peroni and various Belgian beer bottles – sometimes with textured lines and number imprints included – as well as reclaimed glass.
Each leaf, or honey bee wing or fish fin – whatever whimsical image Western envisions – is then copper-foiled, soldered together and attached to hollow copper rods of varying diameters. A pretty picture, hanging in the sunlight of your picture window.
“One of my gingko leaf mobiles simulate the branches and I even put copper nubsat end to make it even more realistic,” says Western. “I like combining copper with solder and I like the idea of copper as it ages and the metals begin to oxidize. “With drawing, which is what I’ve always done, the lines were always minimal. The nice thing about glass is that it introduces a different dimension; it’s not just flat anymore.”
Art Glass Squirrel
Photograph courtesy of Brian Western
Western Art Glass is a part-time profession to his full-time gig working in a paper warehouse. When he gets down to the business of cobbling a new Western Art Glass design, “There’s always a lot of drinking of beer – and then there’s accordion music in the background,” he says.
Those in the Minneapolis area can stop by The Grand Hand Art Gallery in St. Paul to purchase Western Art Glass designs. All others can view and purchase Western’s work on Etsy.
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Copperista: Uniquely Handcrafted Copper Creations from Amy Volchok
Mini Flower Keeper
Photograph courtesy of Copperista
“I don't remember a time when I wasn't an artist,” says Volchok. “I created and sold papier-mâché pieces and handmade greeting cards before I started working with metals. I still make quilts, paint furniture and do lots of other projects. I love to research and learn new things."
After being employed for years in the graphic arts where she learned typesetting and logo designing, Volchok set up a studio at her own house in Montvale, New Jersey, so she could design sterling silver jewelry. Since her workshop was actually a small converted sun porch with windows on three sides, it provided great light for creation of her worded cuff bracelets, which she then sold on her site, Aquabeet.
Approximately two years ago, Volchok felt the jewelry market was becoming saturated and started thinking of other things to construct. She began experimenting with some copper she had planned to use for jewelry.
"I quickly discovered that copper is just the most wonderful material!,” says Volchok. “It is soft and can take on the most amazing patinas. It's also fairly inexpensive. Much of the copper we buy today has been recycled and can be recycled again no matter how old it becomes. I take my very few scraps to our local recycling center. I'd say my main frustration is locating a reliable source of the 28-gauge copper that I use for some items. When I was thinking up a name for my shop, Copperista just popped into my head and I loved it," Volchok confides.
Copper Gems Frame No. 10
Photograph courtesy of Copperista
Volchok soon discovered that working with copper was similar to working with silver, but better. In 2008, she even developed a signature patina treatment.
"The application of heat to achieve the patina is the most fun part,” says Volchok. “The fun is in the randomness. There isn't much control and you can never exactly duplicate an effect that you like. I love this variable since no two pieces are the same."
Her process utilizes cut copper sheets and wires. Patinas are applied to squares of copper that are riveted to the frame by forcing wires into holes that have been drilled in the metal. These are then hammered flat until they look like nails. To assemble the copper flower keepers, wires are wrapped horizontally and pulled tight. When no solder or glue is used,the construction is called cold connection.
Wording, names or dates are applied through use of metal stamps to customize and/or personalize any of Volchok's designs, especially keychains and an array of copper ornaments. Picture and mirror frames canbe formed into hearts or other shapes.
Examples of her artwork can be viewed at her Copperista and Aquabeet shops on Etsy. Various items are also displayed in stores and shows such as The Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston, Guilford Arts Center in Guilford, Connecticut, and Craft Company #6 in Rochester, NY.
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Shop Profile: Signs of the Times: Atlas Signs and Plaques
Atlas Signs custom finish
Photograph courtesy of Atlas Signs
By switching to a copper coating, they were able to provide a solution to the weight issue, reduce costs and give the application a look and feel of real bronze in the application. Similarly, Atlas created a five foot diameter plaque for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, also in bronze, which was two inches thick and a mere 60 pounds.
It may sound too good to be true, but for Janey Fried, her business is thriving. She is not a reseller of cast copper, or brass signs and plaques, rather Atlas designs and produces every piece of signage including large format pieces in-house.
“Our signs and plaques have a high-density-urethane (HDU) base,” Janey says.Originally developed for the aerospace industry, Atlas coats the HDU base material with LuminOre which gives the look and feel of foundry pieces without the weight. LuminOre is actually a metal veneer made of real copper, bronze and brass, which is cold-applied. After routing a sign for a customer and applying the copper finish to the HDU sign board, it’s then placed under a UV heat lamp to aid in the bonding process. Janey then applies custom patinas and finally a marine grade clear coat to seal it.The end result is a copper veneer sign than is lightweight and less expensive than traditional casting with an authentic look.
Artsy Signs historic marker with custom finish
Photograph courtesy of Atlas Signs
Her business is booming and sales are coming in from Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, even Russia. Entrance and number signs in the Craftsmen style are the most popular but Atlas also creates custom signs and plaques for every person and style imaginable, from whimsical to traditional, all of which come in a variety of patinas.
“It’s fun being a chemist,” she says as she applies a patina to a recently made copper sign. Some of the patina’s are off the shelf, others are recipes she has created. “I love the chemical reaction, it’s like magic.”
It might be magic, but she also is about the business of educating people about copper metals. “I don’t think most consumers understand the difference between copper, bronze and brass, which is unfortunate and I try to do some education with my blog,” she says. She also sources nearly all materials from the U.S. Ultimately what Atlas provides is quality, craftsmanship and reasonable pricing. “Atlas offers a lower cost option while still utilizing copper and bronze,” she says.
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Copper in the Arts: NEWS
Frank Lloyd Wright Copper Urn and Other Rarities up for Auction at Christies - December 14, 2010
Frank Lloyd Wright, An important copper urn, circa
1903. Estimate: $800,000-1,200,000
Photograph courtesy of Christie's
On Dec. 14 and 15, Christie’s New York will be auctioning off several rare copper and bronze works at DeLorenzo: Thirty Years, a sale of 20th Century Decorative Arts & Design from the collection of renowned New York gallerist Anthony DeLorenzo. Over 127 pieces from the Art Deco, modernist, mid-century and contemporary periods offered. Highlights from artists such as Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Armand-Albert Rateau, Eileen Gray, Frank Lloyd Wright, Charlotte Perriand, and Jean Prouvé will be featured in the sales. There will also be works from the collection on offer from DeLorenzo: Thirty Years in Christie’s Interiors sale in December. The collection in total is expected to realize upwards of $10 million.
A native New Yorker, DeLorenzo is a trend-setter credited with bringing French Art Deco to the forefront. DeLorenzo’s affinity for copper Tiffany lamps was reflected in his early holdings, but he eventually expanded his collection with Art Deco, Modernist, and French Mid-Century period designs in his first gallery in Manhattan. In 1980, he opened his eponymous gallery on Madison Avenue followed by additional galleries in downtown New York that are frequented by top collectors, museums and institutions. Also to DeLorenzo’s credit, he mounted the first U.S. exhibits of Dunand, Rateau, Prouvé and Serge Mouille, introducing those artists to America.
“This sale marks a milestone for me,” said DeLorenzo. "I attribute my success over the past thirty years to anticipate the next trend in 20th Century Decorative Arts and I expect to continue doing the same for thirty years.”
“Tony has been the driving force behind the global appreciation for every category of 20th Century Decorative Arts, in particular French Art Deco,” said Joshua Holdeman Senior Vice President International Director, 20th Century Art at Christie’s. “We could not be more thrilled to have been entrusted with the sale of certain key objects that he has acquired over his 30 year tenure in the field.”
Highlights from the 50 lot Evening Sale include an important copper urn by Frank Lloyd Wright, a pair of patinated bronze torchères by Armand-Albert Rateau, and a bronze and cut glass chandelier by Gilbert Poillerat.
