abstract art – Page 2 – K.R.'s Metal Art Forms

May 30, 2013January 10, 2016

Sea Turtle

Status: Private Collection, Similar Reproduction Available. (Please contact me to make a similar piece.)

Application: Indoor/Outdoor

Signed: KR2013

This small sculpture was commissioned for a gift for someone who is an avid fan of sea turtles and the state of Hawaii. It’s a stainless steel sea turtle captured in a sweeping pose as though it is gliding through the water, slightly banking to the left. The shell of the turtle is adorned with an abstract version of a Hawaiian Plumeria flower to symbolize the state. The piece is mounted on a custom made stainless steel base.

This piece was hand formed from 18 gauge T-304 stainless steel sheet metal and 1/8″ stainless steel rods, and it was welded together using the Tungsten Inert Gas (T.I.G.) welding process. The piece measures 13″ long, by 5 1/2″ tall, by 9″ wide. The base was also hand-formed from 18 gauge stainless steel sheet metal and T.I.G. welded together.

The piece is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications and would look just as “at home” on a shelf or desktop, as it would in a garden or water feature, and would work equally as well in commercial and residential applications.

Sea Turtle

May 30, 2013January 10, 2016

“Chaperone to Knowledge”

Status: In a Private Collection. (Please contact me to commission a similar piece.)

Application: Indoor/Outdoor

Signed: KR2013

Chaperone to Knowledge is wonderful “found art” sculpture of re-purposed leaf springs and other components from the suspension of an old school bus, hence the name “Chaperone to Knowledge.” For those of you unfamiliar with the components of a bus, the leaf springs are the components that are stacked upon one another and used to connect the rear axle to the bus, all the while carrying the weight of the bus and cushioning its students from the bumps and irregularities of the road. The top of the sculpture is adorned with the cradle that bolted the leaf springs to the axle, completing the Asian, “zen-like” feel the sculpture has. The center pendulum is hung in a way that allows it to swing slightly in the breeze without losing its forward-facing orientation.

The wear and tear on the springs leads me to believe that the bus these springs supported was in service for many years and likely carried thousands of children on tens of thousands of trips to and from school and other learning activities… safely “chaperoning” them to their destinations.

The piece is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications and it measures 55″ wide, by 49″ tall, by 33″ deep. Chaperone to Knowledge would make a wonderful addition to any garden or yard and would work equally as well for many commercial and residential indoor applications.

Chaperone to Knowledge

November 4, 2012November 21, 2017

Small Catboat

Status: In Private Collections – Similar Reproduction Available. (Please contact me to commission a similar piece.)

Application: Indoor/Outdoor

Signed: KR2012, KR2013, KR2014

Inspired by one of my first sculptures, the Large Cat Boat, the Small Cat Boat began as a commission for a private collection and it has become popular in the boating/Cat Boat community. Several have been made and each has been uniquely personalized to represent a particular owner’s Cat Boat or to commemorate a Cat Boat owner. Modeled after the Marshall 18′ Sanderling Cat Boat, a popular sail boat among many in the New England area, these small sculptures are great for the office, home and/or garden.

The Small Cat Boats are hand formed from 14 gauge T-304 stainless steel sheet metal and 3/8″ stainless steel rods, and they are welded together using the Tungsten Inert Gas (T.I.G.) welding process to ensure solid construction. The pieces can be made from stainless steel, copper or mild steel and built to any size, large or small. Typically the pieces shown here measure 12″ long, by 17″ tall, by 6″ wide.

Stainless steel is a resilient material that holds its polish or texture and handles most environmental conditions with ease. Should copper be chosen, copper has wonderful weathering attributes and a durability that lasts forever, however, copper pieces react differently to their environments. Seaside homes and homes in the general vicinity of the ocean can expect their copper pieces to obtain a wonderful green patina, while pieces more inland and away from the ocean’s salt air can expect their pieces to obtain a typical brown copper tone. If, however, you live inland but would like the green patina, an accelerated weathering process can be attained prior to delivery.

A personalized Small Cat Boat can make a wonderful gift!

“Small Cat Boat”

November 4, 2012November 21, 2017

Sloop Sailboat

Status: In Private Collections – Similar Reproduction Available. (Please contact me to commission a similar piece.)

Application: Indoor/Outdoor

Signed: KR2012

The Sloop Sailboat was inspired by a drive through Padanaram Harbor. After I had made several catboats I wanted to create another style so I took a drive along the shore and decided to style a piece after the sloop. A popular sailboat across the globe, the sloop makes a wonderful sculpture for the boat enthusiast.

The Sloop is hand formed from 14 gauge T-304 stainless steel sheet metal and welded together using the Tungsten Inert Gas (T.I.G.) welding process to ensure solid construction. The pieces can be made from stainless steel, copper or mild steel and built to any size, large or small. The piece shown here measure 14″ long, by 14″ tall, by 5″ wide.

A personalized Sloop Sailboat makes a wonderful gift and will compliment any office, home or garden!

“Sloop Sailboat”

November 4, 2012November 21, 2017

Shark’s Fin

Status: In a Private Collection, Similar Reproduction Available. (Please contact me to make a similar piece.)

Application: Indoor/Outdoor

Signed: KR2012

This small sculpture is a rendition of the ominous “shark’s fin” navigating the waters and bringing fear to swimmers everywhere. Although ominous, many people are fascinated with the shark and this piece could make a wonderful gift for a shark lover, or perhaps you know someone who pride’s themselves in being a “shark” in their industry and you know that this piece would look great in their office.

Shark’s Fin is hand-formed from 16-Gauge T304 stainless steel sheet metal and welded together using the Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding process. This piece measures 11-1/4” in height, 9″ in width and 2-3/4” in depth and it can be made to just about any size or it could be made from another material, like copper.

The Shark’s Fin and similar small sculptures are suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

Shark’s Fin

November 4, 2012November 21, 2017

Palmer Island Lighthouse

Status: In a Private Collection. (Please contact me to make a similar piece.)

Application: Indoor

Signed: KR2012

This hand-formed sculpture was modeled after the Palmer Island Lighthouse in New Bedford, Massachusetts, which was built in the mid-1850’s when New Bedford was dubbed the “Whaling Capitol of the World.” This lighthouse and its keepers served the community of New Bedford for more than 100 years, protecting incoming and outgoing boats and commerce from running aground while entering and exiting New Bedford’s harbor. It was automated in the 1940’s and had fallen victim to vandalism and abandonment for several lengthy time periods until a recent restorations in 1999 turned its now solar powered light back on.

This rendition of the Palmer Island Lighthouse captures the west facing view of the lighthouse in its present condition, also capturing a portion of the stone walkway that leads to the lighthouse from Palmer Island. The piece was hand-formed and hammer-formed from 16 gauge T-304 stainless steel sheet metal, reclaimed pieces of stainless steel and 1/8″ stainless steel rods. It was welded together using the Tungsten Inert Gas (T.I.G.) welding process. The piece measures 15″ tall, by 7 1/2″ wide, by 11 1/4″ deep. The piece is lighted by a standard U.S. 110V light kit.

The piece is suitable for indoor applications only and would look just as “at home” in a commercial setting as it would on a table, shelf or desktop, in your home.

Palmer Island Lighthouse

November 4, 2012November 21, 2017

Whale’s Tail

Status: In Private Collection – Similar Reproduction Available. (Please contact me to make a similar piece.)

Application: Indoor/Outdoor

Signed: KR2012

These small sculptures are depictions of blue whales’ tails, as they submerge in the water and give the classic “tail wave” in their descent. The whale’s tail is a popular symbol for the Southern New England area, especially New Bedford, MA which was dubbed the “Whaling Capitol of the World” during the 1800’s. New Bedford was also the home to author Herman Melville who wrote the American classic, “Moby Dick” and based the story in New Bedford.

These pieces were hand-formed from six pieces of T-304, 16 Gauge stainless steel and welded together using the Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding process. This piece can be made to just about any size, large or small, and can be designed for both indoor or outdoor applications. The smaller of these two pieces measures 9” in height, 7-1/4″ in width and 6” in depth, the larger piece measures 11″ in height, 10″ in width and 10″ in depth. .

The Whale’s Tail and similar small sculptures are suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

Whale’s Tail – Large

Whale’s Tail – Small

November 4, 2012November 21, 2017

Copper and Stainless Steel Roses

Status: Private Collection, Similar Reproduction Available. (Please contact me to make a similar piece.)

Application: Indoor/Outdoor

These copper and stainless steel roses can make a unique and extra special gift that will last a lifetime and make a heart-felt statement to that special person you care for. Roses can be purchased individually or arrangements of multiple roses can be designed, along with special mounts. They can also be incorporated into larger sculptures and other artworks.

Each rose is custom made and hand-formed to your specifications and welded together using the Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding process. They are suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

Metal Rose – Copper

Metal Rose – Stainless Steel

November 2, 2012November 21, 2017

“Bird on a Wave”

Status: In a Private Collection. (Please contact me to commission a similar piece.)

Application: Indoor/Outdoor

Signed: KR2012

“Bird on a Wave” is an abstract piece that I created to represent a bird flying just above a wave. It’s made out of 1/8″ Corten Steel© and 14 gauge T-304 stainless steel, and the whole assembly was T.I.G. Welded together using 309L stainless steel. It stands about 58″ tall and the bird’s wings span about 19″ across. The piece swivels on a base that is 18 1/2″ deep by 9″ wide and through the center of the wave I placed a stainless steel prism that can be turned towards the sun to highlight an object, and to represent the sun shining through the wave.

The piece is equally suitable for indoor or outdoor applications. If left outdoors, the Corten steel will weather to a rust color but the welds along the edges will remain silver and the bird and prism will remain shiny, giving its look a wonderful contrast, yet allowing it to blend nicely with natural colors. The base is filled with concrete to give it stability in the home or in unfavorable weather conditions. And the piece is connected to the base by a heavy duty, sealed, automotive, front wheel bearing, that is sure to last indefinitely.

The piece has many angles that can be enjoyed and the swivel base allows you to easily enjoy any angle or adjust the prism to the sun.

The piece is currently available and looking for a home!

“Bird on a Wave”

The Sun Shining Through

The Prism Effect

The Ability to Swivel

The Back Side

November 2, 2012November 21, 2017

“Sun Basin”

Status: In a Private Collection. (Please contact me to commission a similar piece.)

Application: Indoor/Outdoor

Signed: KR2012

“Sun Basin” was a commission I received to create a garden reflection pool for a private collection. The piece is made of 14 gauge T-304 stainless steel, with 3/8″ solid stainless steel round bar welded along its scalloped edge. It measures 4′-6″ in diameter.

The piece was hammer formed by hand and the scalloped edge was created by a press form that I made and adapted to my log splitter (that I also made). A video of the “scalloping” can be seen below.

In the center of the piece I left the hammer marks from the forming process and I heated the center to give it the golden brown color it has. Depending on your preference, the center can appear as the center of a sunflower or the turbulent and “heated” surface of the sun. From the edge of the heated and hammered center I ground in a pattern of petals (or “rays”) that flow nicely up to the scalloped edge, and from certain angles the pattern also gives a “vortex” appearance, as seen below. Along the edge of the solid stainless steel round-bar that is welded along the circumference, I left the weld untouched but lightly polished, which allows the weld’s beads to present themselves as clouds passing by.

The piece rests upon three rocks that were found locally and it contributes nicely to the tranquility of the garden. To sample the tranquility of the piece, please enjoy the video below.