Branching Out

Good morning!

First, let me say thank you — the red key pieces were a lovely success, I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did making them. The boxes sold out, but I have one of the mini art pieces left (can be finished as either silver or red) — if you’d like it, email me and I’ll hold it for you!  If you missed the post, you can check it out HERE.
But back to business!  I’ve been promising you photos of my recent commission work, and I’m very excited to share this next piece with you.  The design is based on a copper tree I made two years ago, which inspired a similar piece last year in a deep teal blue (the piece displayed in the PNC SmartHome, for those of you who saw it).  I brought the teal version along when I met with a potential customer, and her husband fell in love with it.  So she decided to surprise him for his birthday, but she wanted to personalize it to make it more meaningful.  She emailed me a copy of a poem, and a list of words/ identities — things like “father”, “patriot”, “husband”, “son” — to somehow include in the finished piece.

The poem is a lovely piece about bravery and determination, and is read from the bottom of the trunk to the top branches.  I curved the words to mirror the irregular shapes, and transferred them onto the copper.

The individual words were much trickier.  I had to do a lot of experimenting — my first versions, with words etched into the background, were clunky and awkward.  A bit like a first grader writing in crayon.  So I started working with photo transfer again, but the font still felt very thick and overbearing.  I simplified it down to the thinnest, lightest writing I could find, and it finally started to click.  It needed to almost disappear into the background to feel natural.  So I placed the words on the Japanese maple leaves, accenting a petal here, a petal there.

What I like most is the way the lines of the letters echo the outline of the leaves.  There is a delicate lightness to both of them.  And the text is somewhat hidden, so it became a more private message between husband and wife.  The words become apparent when the light strikes them just right, and they are never all completely visible at the same time.  Much like the identities themselves, they may surface or recede based on the circumstances around them.

The finished piece:

As for the teal copper branch, I’m happy to announce that it will soon be in the collection of Fairmount Minerals!  They recently purchased it, along with a companion piece that I will be sharing in the next few weeks.

Until then, take care and have a great week!

Chris

Red Hot Lovely

I don’t normally do holiday-themed pieces, especially Valentine’s Day.  Somehow Valentine’s Day items tend to feel either overly commercial, or cloying, or both.  But I wanted to play with text, and the texture of the written word.  The font seemed to lend itself toward a Romantic design, in the proper sense of the term — so I decided on French phrases of affection.  I glazed the metal a deep crimson red to keep the writing from feeling too overpowering, and then, well, I sat on it.  I had a bit of trouble deciding how to finish the design, amplified by a metal order that has been endlessly delayed.  The key idea was actually my daughter’s, (something she isn’t about to let me forget,) but I think it’s the perfect accent.

I’ve made three variations of the design ~ the mini easel art (above), a jewelry/ keepsake box with the same design:

…and one version that I kept black and white.  It has a very different feel without the color — I couldn’t help keeping one just like this:

These pieces are currently available as (very) limited editions — if you are interested in purchasing, click on the photos above to go to , or email me!  The artwork is a standard ACEO size, 2.5 x 3.5 inches (the size of a playing card).  Mini art versions are $25, and come with a display easel.  The box is approx. 3.25 x 4 x 2.5 inches ~ it fits standard business cards comfortably, or makes a lovely jewelry or keepsake box ($50) (SOLD OUT).  The keys all differ slightly, so there will be minor variations — and once my collection runs out, they’re officially gone.  Any pieces purchased will be shipped out via Priority Mail, so that they will reach any U.S. location within 3 days  (hint: order by Thursday if you want it for Valentine’s Day!).

I hope you enjoy, and have a great week!

Chris

Ice blue palmera mini easel art
click above for more info

The Road Traveled

Happy 2012!  I hope your holidays were wonderful, and that the new year is treating you well.  It has been a lovely year so far, but before surging forward I wanted to take just a moment to reflect.

2011 was an exciting year here at Copper Leaf Studios, and ended with a record-breaking 350+ sales during the holiday season.  That’s more than double the previous year, and needless to say quite a surprise!  A few things fell by the wayside.  Writing this newsletter, for example.  Feeding my child.  Sleeping.  But all is good.  Life has (at least temporarily) slowed to a more reflective pace, and all’s well that ends well, as they say.

There were lots of fun commission pieces that I’m looking forward to sharing over the next few weeks, but today is a day for looking backward.  2011 was an incredible year in so many ways.  My artwork was featured on a TV show and a book cover, I received lovely interviews on Copper.org and Etsy, and was commissioned to create awards for the Cleveland Municipal Bar Association, the Council of Smaller Enterprise, Campus District, the National Science Foundation, and a handful of others. I finished two gigantic commissions, and lots of smaller ones.  I’m not writing this to boast, but with a sense of gratitude and amazement — it’s easy to get so caught up in the swirl of day to day that you forget that you’ve actually accomplished something.  And I am often guilty of being intimidated by the road ahead of me without fully appreciating the one I’ve already traveled.
So here is to what lies behind!  And to appreciating the journey, no matter where you are.

Until next time,

Chris

Morning all,

Happy belated Thanksgiving to my U.S. peeps!  Hope it was a lovely, relaxing, and filling holiday.  I meant to say that before it actually happened, but it got a little lost in the shuffle.  Speaking of lost shuffling, I have to apologize to those of you who signed up at OhioMart — somehow I convinced myself that I added you to the list when in fact I had left the sheets in the folder, which was left in the muddy bin that I subconsciously chose to ignore for as long as possible.  If you want a peek at what you missed, here are a few recent newsletters:  Start to Finish,  Saturated color

Remember the Cleveland Skyline box above?  I am so pleased to announce that it is going to be on TV!  It was purchased by the producer of Parenthood, on NBC.  Of course this was a complete surprise — not only that the box will be on a TV show, but that “Parenthood” is apparently a drama, not a magazine about raising babies (where have I been all these years?).  I tried to find out which episode, but they cleverly dodged the question — so all I know is that it will be in Season 3.  If any of you are avid watchers, please let me know if you see it!!

On a related note, said pencil boxes have been selling faster than expected!  I have a handful left in stock, plus a few of the business card sized boxes.  I’ve had a lot of interest in people giving them as holiday gifts — but here’s the tricky part… they take about 2 weeks to make from scratch, because I have to order the box part from the woodworker.  So in order to have them shipped in time, I have to order them now — which means I’m guessing at how many you might want.  So if you were THINKING of buying one as a gift, would you be so kind as to send me an email?  You don’t have to commit to anything — if you change your mind, just let me know.  But that way I can guarantee I will have one in stock for you, ready to go :)  (Want to buy one today?  Click the picture above and I’ll ship it out tomorrow!)

Holiday Deadlines

I know it’s still early in the gift-buying season, but it is already frantic here in the studios!  November was a record month, and custom orders are quickly filling up December.  So here are some deadlines to keep in mind:

Hannukah gifts ~ please order by December 7th (U.S. shipping)
Christmas gifts, outside of U.S. ~ Priority International (~ $14) is available for orders placed through December 7th — please email me directly instead of purchasing through the website so I can adjust the shipping :)
Christmas gifts, within the U.S. ~ order by December 10th (all items shipped via Priority Mail)

Take care, and have a great week! :)

Chris

Start to Finish

This past few weeks have been all about the maps around here — and Michigan maps, to be specific.  My favorite is a handsome version in silver and black.  I worked on this piece right around the time that I was writing the interview and needed some studio pics, so have a few nice shots of the map in progress.

after cutting (left); then etching (right)

impromptu photo shoot in the stairwell

a pinch of color …………………………… the finished piece

This color combination is now a permanent part of my custom offerings — if you’re looking for a great holiday idea, check out these custom map options.  Pick a location and color combination ~ I’ll send you a sketch for approval, and most pieces are created in about a week.  Perfect for gift giving!

Take care, and have a great week!
Chris

click to view article

Copper in the Press!

Before we get to the pics, I have to share — I had the lovely opportunity to be a featured artist on Etsy last week!  My daughter took the cool photos above (I’ll be sharing more pics of the silver map next week).  While the article wasn’t a surprise (it was an interview, after all), the comments and emails were humbling, to say the least.  It dawned on me that one of the things I miss most about teaching is the feeling of making an impact on someone’s life.  It didn’t happen every day, but when the moments arose, they were palpable.  You don’t get many of those as an artist.  You may have someone really enjoy what you do, but rarely a real game-changer.  It feels nice.

Saturated Color

I have two new pieces to share ~ both explorations in saturated color.  The piece on the left was a commission… it is a large wenge jewelry box (5×7 inches) with a slide lid and my black & white inverted flower photo.  I did a little experimenting with sheer layers of color to get the right translucent quality to allow the image to show through the deep red.  The bits of black and grey ended up creating a velvety look, which I absolutely love.  I made a damask pillow liner for the inside.  I have a few extra large jewelry/ keepsake boxes — if you would like to customize your own, just email me!  I’d be happy to work with you on a design.

The piece on the right is from a photo I took of Asiatic lilies.  I inverted the image, then gave it a light plum glaze.  The texture you see in the background is the surface of the etched zinc — it creates almost a grainy effect to the photo.  Black Lilies is available for purchase online (click image above), or as a custom piece if you’d like a different color.

click above to purchase

Ornaments are back!

Last year these were a big hit, so I’m bringing them back.  They are in short supply as they have been selling quickly (well, kinda — the two people who bought them bought a LOT), so if you’d like one, grab it now!  Once the leaves fall off the trees, they’ll be officially done for the season — and once they’re gone, they’re gone.  (And if you like the design, stay tuned ~ I have a great new piece to share with you soon!

Until next time, have a great week!

Chris

asparagus berries

Respite

Hello dear readers, today’s story is one of rest and repair. After a long, cold, muddy show, we did what any sane person would do – packed our belongings and took a few days off. I knew the show would be chilly (it was October in Ohio, after all), but who could have predicted the perfectly gorgeous days that followed??

Manitoulin sunset

We spent a lovely week up on Manitoulin Island enjoying the most amazingly beautiful sunsets ever, amidst the wild- and not so wild -life. The little cottage is surrounded by cattle farms so there are always cows languishing about, but this time we had the treat of watching 10 baby calves playing about. There weren’t as many deer as usual, but the big surprise was waking up to a group of troublemaker horses. They had run away from home and gotten stuck in the backyard, outsmarted by a wire fence that they didn’t seem ambitious enough to jump over. To give you a sense of space, those are our lawn chairs in the photo:

The funny thing about the horses was when the owner came to retrieve them – a young mom in a minivan who had to quickly coax her horses back home in time race her son off to his hockey practice. Some things, dear readers, are universal.
What else… saw a few dozen sandhill cranes, and a stray blue heron – and the most exciting sight for me, a bald eagle on the drive home. They are as amazingly huge in person as you’d expect.

What’s New on the Horizon

No shows for a while, and no wildlife, save the little chica dog and the koi.  I have some lovely commission work on my plate right now, and will share photos next week. Til then, just some good, honest studio time in the lovely quiet.
Peace ~

Chris

A special hello to to the new subscribers from Silver Spring Maryland!  What a vibrant, thriving city.  We were amazed at the bustling atmosphere and the true diversity of the area.  An extra special thanks to the person who tipped us off to the Burmese restaurant!

Of course being of the more rural persuasion, Alan & I promptly celebrated our return home by canning peach jam, baking zucchini bread, whipping up some homemade lotion, and homebrewing beer (okay, the beer was all Alan and the lotion was me, but we still cheer each other on).  It was our little nod to the start of fall, or “flannel” weather, as we affectionately call it.

New Work

Lately there has been a lot of focus on gift-giving… the holidays are approaching, and people are planning!  I’ll quietly admit to not starting my shopping til much (much) later, but many thanks to those of you who have started custom orders early this year.  I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to create a few custom photo boxes, which I’ll be offering as an option soon — small boxes with wallet-sized metal photos will soon be available, as well as larger 5×7 boxes with enough room for a family photo.  I’ll keep you posted!  In the meantime, I have three lovely new additions to the jewelry box line — copper & teal swirls, and a lovely teal blue Japanese maple leaf.

Until next time ~

Chris

Decisions, Decisions

Back in April I asked your opinions about a large Cleveland skyline. I received quite a bit of lovely feedback on the sketches! When I tallied up the emails, blog comments, and twitter responses, the classic black & white design was a clear winner. The bottom sketch was a close second, so when this piece finds its home I will make a companion in silvery teal blues. Here is the final piece – I’m quite happy with how it turned out! I think the moody atmosphere and strong shapes work well in the piece, and pay homage to the Art Deco style of much of our local architecture:

The Guardian

The Guardian was finished in time to debut at Cain Park, where it received a lovely response — including features in three local media sources. In hindsight, I think most people couldn’t decipher how it was made… which is always an interesting dilemma. I want my work to be appreciated purely visually – it either grabs you or it doesn’t – but there is definitely a different level of appreciation when observers learn that it is made from metal, cut apart with a tiny sawblade barely the thickness of a sewing needle. I’m always trying to find new ways to convey the process, I’d love to hear your suggestions!

Custom Boxes

The boxes have received a lot of attention (and lovely sales), but my offer for a custom logo box got lost in the shuffle. So I’m putting it back out there! If you own or work for a business and would like a box with your company logo or business info on the lid, please let me know! The small box fits business cards nicely, so it’s a perfect match. But I need examples to get started! You’ll receive one lovely wenge box at a discount in exchange for letting me photograph the finished piece for promotional purposes. You get a box, I get a picture, and your business gets a tiny spotlight on the CLS website! No small print, except that I need permission to post it. So if it’s not your biz, just give me a thumbs up from the person in charge!

Hope you’ve enjoyed this glance back through the projects!  Will be sharing new work soon!
Until next time,

Chris

metal photograph, 6×16 inches ~ click for more info

take care,

Chris