Fine Art Enamels and Copper

Enamels are very difficult to capture in an image because of the reflective quality. That quality is why I'm addicted to working with enamels. They seem alive. They're dynamic, ever changing as shadows and light move across them.

My new series, The Woods, will be displayed in the EXPLORE THE WOODS exhibit opening May 29, 6-9pm at the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts. I feel the glass on metal pieces will convey that same energy and wonder of the woods, which also is ever changing."

RIVERS GOTTA FLOW

Enamel on Copper

FAULT

Form-folded

and Hammered

Copper

FALLING FOR YOU

Enamel on Copper 6X6

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BIRD WATCHING

Enamel on Copper

ENCHANTED FOREST

Enamel on Copper 6x6

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TREE LINE

Enamel on Copper 8X8

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LEAVES OF GRASS

Enamel on copper

IT’S A WRAP

Enamel on Copper

CARPE DIEM

Enamel on Copper 6x6

RUN RIVER RUN

Enamel on Copper

RED MAPLE LEAF RAG

Enamel on Copper 8X8

FISH GOTTA SWIM

Enamel on Copper

OPEN

Enamel on Copper

Too many times we dam rivers and wonder why we have floods. There are consequences to trying to change nature.

This is torch fired using leaded enamels. Copper was cut to shape and enamels applied. River was cut, crimped and shaped.

AUTUMN UNCONFINED

Enamel on Copper 8x8

FOREST BENEATH OUR FEET

Enamel on Copper

GLOBAL WARMING

Enamel on Copper

OUT ON A LIMB

Enamel on copper

HEART BOX

Enamel on Copper 8X8X3

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SPRING IN THE AIR

Copper & Enamel on copper

3” HIGH

LIKE PEAS IN A POD

Hammered (forged) Copper

Ceramic Beads

Front and Side view

BLUES A BREWIN’

BOWL

Enamel on copper

using separation enamel

I FOLLOW MY INNER STAR

Enamel on Copper with inset

6X6X.75

The copper is cleaned then a layer of flux is kiln fired to 1400° F. Textures applied with stencils. Several firings take place to build colors. Shape applied with copper wire in cloisonne fashion. Final enchancements made with hand-torch.

ROAD TO LOVE AND PEACE

Enamel on Copper 6X6

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Fall is a glorious time. It’s the leaves shouting their last hurrah and they are not going away quietly.

This is created burning leaves into the bare copper and enameled copper. Also using leaves as stencils. It is fired multiple times and enhanced after the last firing with open flame (torch fired). The 3-D leaves were hand-cut, hammbered and torch fired.

My son’s interest in birds began at 3 looking at Peterson's guide and asking me, "What does W-I-N-G-S-P-A-N spell?". He was fascinated by birds of prey and would measure his friends out-stretched arms and tell them what bird they could be. His interest was contagious and spread throughout our household. When hiking we’d defer to him to tell us the names of the birds. When he didn’t know the name, he knew how to find it in the bird book.

For this piece I skeletonized leaves and burned them onto copper. Flux was applied and kiln fired at 1400°F. To finish I used a torch.

The copper is cleaned then a layer of flux is kiln fired to 1400° F. Leaves are placed upon the copper and sometimes enamel is applied before the 2nd firing, or not applied until the third firing. Along the way, sgrifitto is used (inscribing into the enameling). There are always multiple firings before the compositions are complete. Final enhancements done by hand-torch.

VENTING

Enamel on Copper

Hiking in the woods, I’m inspired by the beautiful collage of leaves, their colors and shapes creating their own art.

Leaves were burned onto the copper as well as used as stencils. Several firings were done after each application of enamel and flux. Sgriffito, scratching into the enamel, also was used to enhance design. The final firing was hand torched.

LOVE FROM MY HEART FLOWS

Enamel on Copper 6X6

on 2” deep wood

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WINTER LIGHT

Enamel on Copper 6X6

on 2” deep wood

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Judy Garland once wrote, "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." The trick is to know who you are and once you find you, follow your heart, follow your inner star.

This is a 3-dimensional enamel. First a hole was cut into the copper. Then the top layer was fired with a flux. A stencil was created and enamel applied over it before it was fired several times. The bottom copper was inscribed and a flux was applied before firing.

Fond memories return often of my Dad taking me fishing when I was a youngster. Early rising before the dawn to get on the water before sunrise. I carried that tradition on with my kids.

This is a torch-fired composite created with leaded enamel on copper and wire. Leaded enamels are no longer readily available (hard to find, very expensive), but some enamelist still prefer their bright intense colors.

When camping and the night has fallen, my senses change to hearing from seeing the beauty of the forest. The forest then comes alive with sounds. Who is out there?

This is a 3-dimensional enamel. First a hole was cut into the copper. Then the top layer was fired with a flux. A stencil was then created and enamel applied over it before it was fired several times. The bottom copper was inscribed then a flux was applied before firing.

Trio of Trees

Enamel on Copper 6X6X1.5

Leaves were burned onto the enamel. Layers of flux and powdered glass were applied in multiple firings. In later firings, leaves were used as reverse stencils. Sgrifitto was used to detail. Final details were applied with open flame.

I love sitting on a porch in the mountains of Asheville and viewing the layers of tree lines. The colors change as the sun changes angle during the day. It’s a dynamic, ever-changing view. Sgriffito, scratching into the surface, was used to enhance the image.

This is torch fired using leaded enamels. Lettering was impressed in the copper and liquid enamels were applied.

This is torch fired using leaded enamels. A composite of several pieces. Design was hammered into the copper and liquid enamels were applied. The base was shaped then a flux applied on first firing and opaque enamels applied in subsequent firings. Attached to homemade paper structure.

The American Elm has a graceful arching vase-like growth and it is understandable why many towns and cities used them to line their streets. Unfortunately it is susceptible to the Dutch elm disease, which nearly irradicated it. However, it’s biology has saved it from obliteration. The seeds are wind-dispersed and the tree grows quickly.

Copper is annealed and shaped, then flux is applied and kiln fired. Several more firings take place after each enamel color is applied.

LEAVES IN AQUA

BOWL

Enamel on copper

I believe looking at art can relax and rejuvenate you and that Art IS Functional. It's used everyday by lifting your spirits when you look at it. Building on this idea I began a new series of "Desk Art", small 3" high enamel pieces with their built-in easels.

MAKING AN IMPRESSION

Enamel on Copper

LEAF US BE

Enamel on copper

11X11.25 on wood

There is something about cedar trees, so stately like sentinels watching over the fields. Whether I see them in France, Italy or my own backyard, I respect and adore them. I used liquid enamels applied to show brush strokes. When complete it was placed on a torch fired copper piece.

painterly look. It took several firings.

SHATTERED HEART REVIVED

Copper & Enamel on copper

12X12X3