Repousse

This abstract copper wall sculpture was formed from sheet metal using the techniques of repousse and chasing. The metal was slowly pushed into shape with repeated hammer blows and specially shaped punches. It's around 25 inches in diameter, and while the piece is very rigid and strong, it is 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 it 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. A hidden uniqueness within the seemingly identical.  

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 sculpture [...]

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

What started out as an exercise in forming and welding aluminum sheet metal became this unique...vase? I traced patterns from a real pair of shoes and formed them in metal. The sole is a thicker piece of aluminum plate, plasma cut and bent. The sock was also formed from sheet aluminum, hammered into shape and welded along the seam. The sock's texture and ripples were formed with the techniques of repousse and chasing. All the components were TIG welded together, and the inside was coated with a thick rubber. The laces are steel cables. Used as a vase, this peculiar sculpture is sure to put a spring in your step. formed aluminum sheet metal sculpture formed aluminum sheet metal sculpture formed aluminum sheet metal sculpture

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

This 6 inch diameter copper bowl was hammered into shape from flat sheet metal using a process called raising. After the spherical form was created, it was filled with pitch and the divets 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.

This copper wall sculpture was created for a North Carolina church. The figures are hammered in a 3 dimensional relief from flat sheet metal using the techniques of repousse and chasing. When plugged in, water flows down the ridged back panel, behind the figures and collects in the basin at the bottom. Copper repousse wall sculpture

This copper and brass funeral urn has two inner vessels, for husband and wife. In this case the majority of the ashes were spread ceremoniously, and a small amount were saved for the small canisters. The texture on the copper is hammered in, the layers are plasma cut, stacked, and silver soldered together. Hammered Copper Funeral Urn

This copper mussel shell box was commissioned to hold a wedding ring. The ridges and texture were hammered into the sheet metal using the technique of repousse and chasing. The hinge is constructed of brass tubing and silver soldered in place. The dark patina is from liver of sulfur. Hinged copper mussel shell box

This 15 inch diameter wall sculpture is made of hammered copper sheet metal and a heavy steel frame. The copper panel was formed using a process called repousse and chasing, where metal is pushed into shape with hammers and punches. The dark color on the copper is the natural result of heating the metal during the forming process. Steel flat bar was rolled and welded to create the frame. Copper repousse wall sculpture

The relief designs on the silver panels of this folding knife were made using repousse and chasing tools. The formed panels are riveted to a steel backing which houses the spring and lock mechanism of the knife. The damascus blade was given to me, I simply made the handle.

This abstract wall sculpture is made from hammer formed copper sheet with an aluminum frame. It's about 12 inches in diameter and is very lightweight. Abstract Copper repousse wall sculpture

The lid to this brass box was created with the process of repousse and chasing. It slides into a hidden track along the top edge of the box, and it's quite challenging to figure out how it opens. The brass was darkened with a patina and buffed with fine steel wool to create highlights.

This copper wall sculpture was made for the Tupelo Honey Cafe here in Raleigh, North Carolina. It's a sculptural version of their tupelo tree logo measuring about 5 feet in width. The branches and textures on the back layer were formed with hammers and punches. The clusters of leaves are plasma cut shapes, textured with a leaf design and riveted together with leaf shaped rivets. The colors are a combination of heat and patinas. Copper Tree Sculpture Tupelo Honey Cafe