A Copper Alliance Member
Copper in the Arts
Issue #62: June '12 - Cont'd
Love at First Weld
Copper Chicken Sculpture
Photograph courtesy of Catherine Murphy
Catherine says the affinity for the subjects of her sculptures stems from her youth.
“It comes from way back from not being able to sit still in school. The first school project I could ever identify with was my insect collection.”
Today, Catherine’s copper sculptures echo her love of the outdoors. Her subjects frequently feature a wren perched on a branch, a poised praying mantis and a frog lounging on a lily pad.
After dropping out of college in 1975, Catherine, now 56, was introduced to welding when she worked at a factory for a janitorial company for eight years. Afterwards, she traveled the Southeast for another eight years as a construction welder and ironworker.
With some of her history also invested in welding supply sales, she had her first introduction to copper while on the job.
It was love at first weld.
“When I put my torch to that copper and saw all of those colors I knew I found the material I wanted to work with.”
She especially loves copper’s malleable nature.
Bird on a Nest
Photograph courtesy of Catherine Murphy
This new love enabled her to hone in on her craft. At age 35 she took her first formal art class, centered on copper, at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC.
“From that class I started making things for my own garden,” Catherine says.
While simultaneously working in sales, she would take advantage of visiting gardens and nurseries on her travels, to show them the copper pieces she was making.
“I sold 600 in one weekend,” she recalls. “Eight months later, I gave up sales.”
While garden sculptures make up the majority of her collection and are the most widely produced pieces in her studio, she creates some functional works of art such as decorative jewelry racks and hummingbird feeders.
Haw Creek makes a concerted effort to use local materials and hire local artisans in order to support small businesses in Asheville.
“All of our wire sheet and tubing is bought from local distributors,” says Margy, referring to Best Distributing, and C.C. Dickson Co., both with branches in Asheville.
For the last ten years the business has operated in a 5,000 square foot studio, housed in an old, restored, textile mill. Prior to that, Catherine operated the business out of her home in Haw Creek, NC, which inspired the name of the business.
The studio is equipped with power hammers, a bending brake, and hydraulic die forming press, rolling mill, four welding stations and a paint booth.
“Some pieces are cut out with a water jet, a few are stamped out, but everything else is formed, pressed, welded and made here,” says Margy.
Haw Creek’s studio is open to visitors. “We like to show work in progress,” she says.
Resources:
Haw Creek Forge, 2000 Riverside Dr., Studio Six, Asheville, NC, (828) 285-9785
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Blazer Studios: Handmade Copper Art for the Garden
Copper Bowl
Photograph courtesy of Debra Blazer
"There was something empowering about controlling the molten substance,” she recalls. “What led to my interest in copper, however, is the price. As one of the most economical metals available, it is similar to silver in how it reacts, it solders nicely and the color can't be beat! I like the freedom of being able to try new things without concern of breaking the bank. I can design larger pieces out of copper than with other metals and the price makes sense for what I'm creating.”
Her copper art includes, among many other pieces, round, rectangular or flower shaped custom stamped plant and herb markers with the customer's choice of plant names. Noticeable in the garden, they still allow the plant to be seen. Some with stake lengths of 5" hang on heavy gauge nickel wire to hold them securely.
Another design includes a set of eight wine connoisseur charms of solid copper and brass, a handmade brass ring and stamping on the front with names of wines selected by the client. Blazer hand raises copper bowls and often checks with local copper recycling centers and junkyards as great sources of inspiration so she can create something from what is already there by re-imagining it.
"I am working with two new fonts that I love!” she exclaims. “I actually stamp on the side of an antique metal ring mold because it has a nice flat surface to support my work. I use an old hammer that I've had for years. I cut my pieces with metal shears that were handed down to me from my grandpap. I have an inexpensive grinder that has been retrofitted to hold the 3m grinding disc I use to soften the edges of my work and the brush to give my pieces a nice satin finish. I like to use tools that have a history, whatever I can find that works for me," Blazer says.
Debra Blazer soldering in her studio.
Photograph courtesy of Debra Blazer
"Photo etching was the first class I taught after graduating. I have a couple of etched copper light switch plates that are in my Etsy shop. I never paint the metal but try to find a patina that will do the job. It has taken me years to get used to the fact that it is OK to epoxy things together now and then. In school, glue was not an option. We simply had to find other means of attachment whether it be soldering, riveting or developing a new way."
Blazer is vice president of the Florida Society of Goldsmiths which, ironically, focuses primarily on metalsmithing techniques in silver and copper. She recently returned from the prestigious Mainsail Arts Festival in St. Petersburg, FL, where she won an Award of Merit against some of the best jewelers in the country.
"We used to go to Art Festivals every weekend, but after our second son was born we had to regroup and now attend only two or three a year,” she says. “My husband and I plan to become involved again when possible. You become a family with the other artists out on the road. We miss the experience.”
Resources:
Blazer Studios, Palm Coast, FL, (386) 986-5365
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Bringing Beauty and Style to Backyard Gardens
Custom arch with tower
Photograph courtesy of Carol Smillie
Trained as a gardener and landscape designer, Smillie first worked with copper in the 90s. She built a couple of tables out of copper and realized how well they would function outside.
“Copper has a high percentage of renewed material and can continue to be recycled,” she told me in an interview. “It turns green and is perfect for outside.”
With Sycamore Creek, Smillie’s love of nature merges with her love of sustainable materials. She uses plain copper piping to create arbors, trellises, stakes, torches, towers and outdoor furniture. Plants and flowers grow up the arbors and trellises, creating a beautiful eco-friendly habitat in any backyard.
Each fixture holds a simple but inspired design. Some arbors utilize the classic romantic arch, while others are reminiscent of Monet’s garden structures. Trellises range from triangular to rectangular to arched; some appear art deco, others, like massive mathematical grids.
“Some look like cattails and trees,” Smillie says. “It doesn’t make a huge statement architecturally, as opposed to something built out of lumber. It has a lighter presence; it’s elegant, subtle, delicate.”
Freestanding copper trellis Wye Oak tree
Photograph courtesy of Carol Smillie
“From a gardening standpoint,” says Smillie. “Copper doesn’t get hot. It doesn’t conduct in that manner. It doesn’t decompose. It doesn’t leave a horrible residue. Plants grow well on it. It has antifungal properties that have made it popular with organic gardeners. It’s the only material I use.”
The best thing about copper, to Smillie, is that copper can be reused. Copper doesn’t have to be replaced and it’s not going to fall apart. With its durability and upcycled qualities, there’s a strong market for used copper.
Smillie’s process for working with copper is simple.
“We get copper pipe,” she told me. “And that’s it.” Sometimes she uses chemicals to start the process of aging. But typically, she says, customers like copper to be new and shiny at first, and enjoy watching it “patina on its own.”
Smillie believes that her pieces help bring customers into nature. They take store of what they have by bringing nature into their backyards. They have the opportunity to improve air and water quality, human health, habitat---this is Smillie’s crusade. And, like most things crafted out of copper, the work of Sycamore Creek is designed to age beautifully and last forever.
Resources:
Sycamore Creek Copper Garden Furnishings, Ancram, NY, (518) 398-6393
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Copper in the Arts: EVENTS
- Palm Beach Jewelry, Art, and Antique Show
Feb 15, '13 - Feb 18, '13 - Native Expressions: Dave McGary’s Bronze Realism
Mar 7, '13 - Jun 30, '13 - Evolving Character Head Demonstration with John Coleman
Mar 9, '13 - Mar 9, '13 - More Upcoming Events...
Copper in the Arts: NEWS
The Art of Cooking - June 01, 2012
Bronze Ramen Noodles by Ann Cathrin November HoiboPhotograph courtesy of Royal/T Gallery
Intended to induce “the pleasures of the table”, the exhibition The Art of Cooking showcases artists who are making use of food in their work – as obsession, exploration or celebration – and often with a big dash of humor. The works included span different media, from drawing and painting to digital prints and clothing.
This encompasses Guillaume Pilet’s salt bread pretzeled into a twisty statue, Victor Kopp’s penchant for the geometry of painted chocolate, Theo Rosenblum’s ghostly Ghoul Whip II, and Ann Cathrin November Hoibo’s artful bronze Ramen noodles compacted in that signature rippling box-shape.
With this show, the curator Hanne Mugaas (who is from a family of restaurateurs and gourmet chefs) says, “Food has always been present in art. With this show I wanted to focus on contemporary artists who represent food in interesting but also humorous ways – as food is (for most of us) linked to pleasure, not only when it comes to taste but also social interaction. This exhibition is meant to celebrate food – no matter if it is a gourmet meal, a donut, or a slice of toast with marmalade.”
Resources:
Royal/T Gallery, 8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, (310) 559-6300
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