Forged Steel and Mosaic Wall Sculptures

November 21, 2025 by Johannah Willsey in Collaborations, Mosaic, Sculpture

Working as an artist, in any medium or genre, is always a journey and an evolutionary process. When we first started working collaboratively to create art objects, we focused on stand-alone sculptures. Once we had tried our hands at a few of those in varying sizes and styles, we were ready for the next challenge.

It was time to take our collaborative sculptures to the wall.

Our first work in this series happened to be a commission. The client requested a piece featuring a few of their favorite critters, the monarch butterfly and dragonflies, to fit a very specific alcove in their home

The fun and interesting challenge in designing a fairly realistic piece like this is navigating the line between absolute realism and expressive stylizing. Which details are essential? What can be exaggerated, reduced, or even eliminated to create the desired effect?

Forged steel and glass mosaic butterfly sculpture PH2024.JPEG

Dragonfly Wall forged steel and mosaic wall sculpture detail PH2024 (1).JPEG

Butterfly wall sculpture installed PH2024.JPEG

The next piece in this series was inspired by a fall walk through a gingko tree-lined neighborhood.

For Kyle this was a return to an earlier subject, an opportunity to bring new skills to the work while adding the dimension of color from Johannah’s mosaic.

For Johannah this piece was a chance to explore the beautiful shifts in color of the beloved gingko leaf, from the greens of spring and summer to the golds of autumn.

Gingko wall sculpture detail PH2024 (1).JPEG

Gingko wall sculpture detail PH2024 (3).JPEG

For the last two pieces in this particular run of work, we decided to return to familiar shapes while working a touch smaller and adding some geometric framing to the organic shapes.

Abstract Steel and Mosaic Tabletop Sculptures

May 24, 2024 by Johannah Willsey in Collaborations, Sculpture, Mosaic

And the collaborations continue to evolve…

A big difference created by the move to our new studios is the ability to work more closely together. In the past, one of us worked at the studio while the other stayed at home with our two kids. Time to put our heads together over a project required planning and coordinating schedules.

Now that our studios are on the same property as our home, we can pop over to the studio for a brainstorm session or just a quick check-in for an opinion from the other person. It’s a much more efficient way to collaborate!

These three tabletop sculptures are the first products of this new way of working together.

First Kyle forged three different shapes based on loose sketches. From there, Johannah chose colors and designs based on the shapes of the sculptures. Lots of fine-tuning conversations took place before, between, and after each step.

The flaring shape of the first piece brought a candle flame to mind. The teardrop look of the second piece made us think of water. These sculptures are two-sided with the same mosaic colors and designs on both sides.

Steel and red glass abstract sculpture PH2023 (3).JPG

Steel and red glass abstract sculpture PH2023 (4).JPG

Steel and turquoise glass abstract sculpture PH2023 (3).JPG

Steel and turquoise glass abstract sculpture PH2023 (4).JPG

For the last piece in this first group of sculptures, Kyle created a shape inspired by sunrise over a beach that has a special place in our lives. Johannah created a sunrise mosaic on the first side. Unlike the first two sculptures that are the same on both sides, we decided the opposite side of this piece called for something different. Johannah made a moonrise mosaic for the second side. We call this finished sculpture “Shoreline.”

This piece and the blue one have sold, but the candle flame-inspired sculpture is available with free shipping!

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Steel and mosaic sunrise sculpture detail

Steel and mosaic moonrise sculpture detail

Two-sided steel and mosaic sunrise and moonrise sculpture

Custom Steel and Mosaic Creations

May 10, 2024 by Johannah Willsey in Collaborations, Furniture, Mosaic, Railing

The more we put our forged steel and mosaic work together, the more new ideas occur to us and our clients for ways to collaborate. It’s such an exciting and satisfying journey!

We created this first table to show off the client’s collection of glaze sample ceramic tiles handmade by her mother.

Forged table base work in progress

Handmade ceramic tiles

Test fit for ceramic tile tabletop

The tiles came in a variety of colors and thicknesses. The fun challenge was to create a pleasing pattern of color AND as smooth a surface as possible. We were impressed in the end that Johannah was able to create a relatively even surface.

This client is local and was able to visit our studios to see examples of other tables Kyle has created. This helps a lot in visualizing the final product. Together, Kyle and the client designed a base that fit their taste as well as the space the client had in mind for the table.

This next one is a collaborative piece we designed and made for ourselves!

We needed a single step from the gallery floor up to the door to the next room. Kyle forged a small railing with circular shapes for Johannah to fill in with mosaic. For the pure fun of it, she decided to go with dark pink and gold with a green flat marble at the center. Kyle also made the wooden step in hickory to coordinate with the flooring in the gallery.

We created this last table for a couple celebrating an important wedding anniversary.

Kyle and the client designed the table to fit their entryway hall. The colors in the mosaic were inspired by other nearby artwork. Our friend Christina Boy made the walnut top.

Custom table base in progress

Mosaic inlay in progress