C'mon in to the studios and see a few of the smaller projects we've been working on this spring....
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We created a set of custom decorative window grills for an artist friend.
This forged steel and mosaic trophy is inspired by the logos of the two companies who presented the trophy.
Here's Kyle forging a set of gargoyle horn door handles for another Stone Brewery location.
Over the last few years, Kyle has created a series of cattail sculptures. This is one he was commissioned to create for the client’s front porch. Take a peek at the design and creation process below!
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Creating a to-scale drawing of the sculpture is the very first step in the design process. Next we re-create the drawing in full size on the steel layout table (the blacksmith's equivalent of a workbench.)
Next up: making the cattail flowers. In the first photo, we're using a fullering tool on the anvil to shape tube steel. The last photo shows the needle gun we use to create the texture on the cattail.
We used angle iron to create the leaves. Here we're cutting the ends into points, then shaping the leaves hot using a tool known as a bending dog in the the vise.
To make the base, we cut the shape out of steel plate. We added texture later on with the hammer.
And now to assemble all the parts!
This piece was finished with a rust patina, a finish that works well with the subject matter and holds up great for exterior work. Here the piece is installed on the happy owner's front porch!
Kyle has been working on a series of works created from flattened, folded metal pipe for a couple of years now. Check out the story of how they have evolved from fairly small bowls to extra-large wall sculptures!
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This is the first batch of folded bowls Kyle ever created. They're made from reclaimed metal pipe from demolished warehouses in the historic Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond. He originally imagined the smaller size as catch-alls for keys, wallets, and anything you need as you head out the door. The larger size would be great to hold remotes, or better yet, on their own as a sculptural item on your mantle or coffee table.
As it turned out, the larger size quickly became the more popular size. Kyle created larger and larger bowls, some so big they required multiple heats in our small gas forge. He also experimented with his first wall pieces, the original Entangled series of three wall sculptures, each about 12" x 18".
For our group show, GROWTH, Kyle created a new wall sculpture, the biggest to date. Entangled #4 measures 12" x 36".
More recently Kyle was commissioned to created a large 36" x 36" version of his original wall sculpture. Here he is working on the piece in the studio (above), with the finished piece below.
