It’s a lovely day here at Copper Leaf Studios, and we’re having a moment of Zen. With show season on pause, a rush of copper anniversary orders completed, and the heat wave broken to reveal a perfectly beautiful summer day, it’s a time to relax and soak in the moment. The school year will be starting soon — around here, a seasonal milestone more significant than the equinox — and in the blink of an eye things will be busy again.
I love times like these, not just for the break, but because I get to rediscover what inspires me as an artist. It takes a moment of stillness to hear the inner voice, but once tuned in, it is a familiar refrain.
I’ve been working small this time, experimenting with the Wenge boxes again. There is something very Zen about them — how the lid glides along its track, the weight of the metal against the wood… they have a lovely smell from the finish, and the smooth brown grain is the color of coffee or dark chocolate. I’ve been pairing them with smaller versions of some of my black and white images to create a set of keepsake boxes. They are the perfect size to store a handful of beach glass, a dozen tea bags, or anything that feels calming and makes the world seem right again.
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I also made a few boxes with simple designs in vibrant colors. My daughter gave me the idea for these next photos ~ she is on a sewing kick right now, turning old jeans into hip teen messenger bags and purses. I wanted to emphasize the rich saturated colors of the box lids, but also give a sense of scale. I think they just might be some of the best product photos I’ve taken:
I have a few more designs to experiment with, and hope to have a lovely range of colors and textures soon. In the meantime, if you like what you see, please pass it on!
Take care and have a great week~!
Chris