Copper

This abstract copper wall sculpture was formed from sheet metal using the techniques of repousse and chasing, more commonly called raised relief or embossing. The metal was slowly pushed into shape with repeated blows with hammers and punches. I've made a couple versions of this design. The original was around 25 inches in diameter, and a larger commissioned version was made later. While these pieces are rigid and strong, they are fairly thin and lightweight (about as thick as a nickel). The copper is darkened with a liver of sulfur patina and sealed with wax. You can check out the video slideshow below to see how the first version was made. The design was inspired by coral. I'm fascinated with patterns in nature, how individual repeated elements and structures that make up a uniform whole, all have their own distinct qualities if you zoom in and look. [...]

This honeycomb and honey bee sculpture hangs slightly raised from the surface of the wall, allowing light to pass through the "honey". The honeycomb is 30 inches wide and is made from copper sheet metal and cast polyester resin. Each cell was formed individually, then welded together on the front and back edges to form one solid honeycomb structure. The honey bee is also created from copper sheet metal. The body segments are hollow, constructed of hammer formed and textured sheet metal halves, TIG welded together. The segments are held together by a rod which extends through the body and emerges as the stinger. The wings are cast polyester resin, and the legs are forged and filed from copper rod. The bee has a threaded rod attached to the underside of the thorax, which connects it to the honeycomb. The bee can be removed from the rest of the [...]

This tortoise sculpture is made of hammer formed copper sheet metal and filled solid with concrete. It measures about 4 feet from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail, and weighs a couple hundred pounds. The copper panels were shaped by hand with traditional metalworking techniques like raising, sinking, repousse, and chasing. The components were TIG welded together and attached to an internal steel armature. The hollow sculpture was filled solid through an opening underneath. It's extremely sturdy and can hold up to abuses and indignities like climbing, jumping, or riding. The sculpture is darkened with a liver of sulfur patina and sealed with wax and oil. The video below shows how this copper turtle was made, step by step. copper metal tortoise sculpture outdoor   copper repousse tortoise sculpture outdoor   Jeremy Maronpot and turtle sculpture   [...]

This catfish garden sculpture was hand formed from copper sheet metal using traditional metalsmithing techniques like raising, sinking, repousse, and chasing. The sculpture is about 3.5 feet in length. The main body was formed as two halves and TIG welded together, and the head is a third section. Fins, gills, and whiskers were created from hammered sheet metal and thick forged copper wire. The metal was initially given a liver of sulfur patina to darken some areas, but since it lives outside the patina has changed and darkened over the years. He sits as a giant guardian above a small coy pond, whose inhabitants no doubt look up and wonder what it's all about.   Copper Catfish Garden Sculpture

This abstract wall sculpture was hammered into shape from copper sheet metal using the techniques of repousse and chasing. It measures 25 inches in diameter, and while the piece is very rigid and strong, it is very thin and lightweight. The metal was slowly pushed into shape with repeated hammer blows and specially shaped punches. The copper is darkened with a liver of sulfur patina and sealed with wax. The design was inspired by coral. I’m fascinated with naturally occurring patterns, how all the tiny repeated elements and structures that make up a uniform arrangement, each have their own unique qualities. A hidden individuality within the seemingly identical.    

The heavy shell of this geode inspired sculpture is made from plasma cut steel treated with gun blue, oils and heat to give it some variations in color.  The interior section is hammer formed from copper sheet metal using a process called repousse and chasing. The color on the copper panel comes from heating the metal with a torch.   Copper repousse sculpture detail

The frame of this sturdy coffee table is made from rolled steel bar and square steel stock. The layered circular shelves are filled with organic metalwork created from hammered and rusted steel rod, hammered copper panels, textured brass, glass, and distressed oak. A heavy 30 x 50 inch safety glass top rests on the four padded legs. At one point the table had a curved wooden side panel which was later removed. Coffee table made of steel, copper, brass, wood, glass art furniture - custom metal coffee table Artistic metal table in gallery with original wood panel leg Metal coffee table is studio

This six foot tall copper sculpture was hammer formed from sheet metal in two halves and TIG welded together. There is a steel armature inside which is welded to the steel base. Two round copper sheet metal hemispheres were formed with a technique called raising, and welded together to create the central sphere. The cracks are hammered into the sphere using a process called chasing. The green patina comes from an ammonia based solution, and the rest of the sculpture is colored with liver of sulfur. The sculpture was installed in a North Carolina neighborhood after being fabricated from an award winning student design.   Abstract copper sculpture   copper metal sculpture with patina Copper sculpture in studio

This 6 inch diameter copper bowl was hammered into shape from sheet metal using a process called raising. After the spherical form was created, it was filled with pitch and the rows of ridges were added using chasing and repousse tools. The dark patina is from a quick dip in liver of sulfur, then the surface was rubbed with fine steel wool to bring out the highlighted areas. Copper bowl raised from sheet metal with repousse and chasing

These oversized maple leaves were hammered into shape from copper sheet metal using the process of repousse and chasing. They range in size from about 24-40 inches across. They are made in two layers, a flat back and a pushed out front, welded together along the edges and filled with concrete. They were left outside in a North Carolina neighborhood to weather and take on their own unique natural patina. Repousse giant copper Maple leaves sculpture