Copper Leaf Studios

copper maps ~ custom copper artwork

Koi Mini Art

 

 

Surfacing

Some of you may remember that I sell monthly subscriptions of my mini art pieces. It’s been a lovely way to challenge myself to create fresh, new designs each month, and experiment with new ideas. March’s design was inspired by my backyard koi pond. Every winter the fish dig down and go into hibernation. They pop back up at the first warm spell, starving and ready for spring! For some people, spring officially starts with their first robin sighting — for me, it’s the first koi.

Koi are a variety of Asian carp, valued for their ornamental colors and patterns. They come in an amazing variety of colors, from metallic yellow to blues to olive green. The ones I currently have in my pond are mixtures of orange and white, which was fun to mimic with the copper patina. Right after I made them, I saw the first lily pads of the season — another favorite of mine. By mid summer there will be so many they won’t even fit onto the surface of the water, and it will look something more like this crazy lovely overgrown scene:

 

The above photo was taken two years ago, when the cattails reached an insane 10 feet high and the waterlilies were so thick I could stand on them. (Not even kidding! Their floating roots had knit together into a giant surfboard.) Last year I cut a lot back, so I’m eager to see what shape it takes this summer. Hopefully one that’s a little more “Zen” and a less “Little Shop of Horrors” :P

But back to the Koi mini art — I made a few extras, and they’re up for grabs!  Click HERE to purchase. And of course if you’d like a monthly subscription, you can order those as well! They are a lovely way to treat yourself (who doesn’t love to get actual mail in the mail?!), or give as a gift to a friend. Each one comes with a little story about its inspiration, and they are quite addictive little buggers. New pieces are made at the end of the month, so be sure to order a little ahead if you don’t want to miss any.

To all the teachers and students, have a great spring break!!! And to everyone else, take care, and have a great week :)

Chris

Red Hot Lovely

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

Metal Art Cards ~ Bits and Pieces

Metal Art Cards ~ Bits and Pieces

Hello all!  This week has been a lovely bit of downtime.  I’m in between large projects, and have taken a moment to create lots of tiny new metal pieces.  It’s a sort of cleansing of the artistic palate.  Large commissions require a lot of planning and precision and can sometimes leave you craving the playful creativity of just being an artist.

I love art cards at times like these — their mini formats are perfect for trying out new ideas, and it is quite nice to finish dozens of pieces within a short amount of time.  Plus they’re fun to have at a show — people are always asking what they are, and sometimes well… what do they do??  Well, they don’t do much, but that’s okay.  They’re cute and little and fun, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.  But I tell anyone who gets that confused look on their face a little of their story…

   

Art cards are the size of a playing card or baseball card, always 2.5 x 3.5 inches, but they can be any medium.  They came about in the ’50’s when artists used them as a way to share their work with each other.  They were called “Artist Trading Cards”, or ATC’s, at the time.  As they became collectible, artists began to use them as a means of selling small inexpensive pieces, and the name ‘Art Cards” –or more formally, ACEO’s (“Art Cards, Editions and Originals”) — came about.  Although there are collectors all over the world (every time the currency winds shift in the right direction I get a rash of buyers from Australia, quite fun!), you don’t have to be a die hard to love them.  There’s something very appealing about their small size and lovely little designs.  (An aside: the very first “art cards” were mini oil paintings from the 1500-1600’s, usually portraits of aristocrat’s mistresses.  Fun fact, so long as there are no young ears around.)
I had quite fun selling art card subscriptions for the holidays, where recipients get a new surprise card every month.  I love it when my items are given as gifts, so much fun.  And a few lucky people got a cute little display stand with their piece (okay, really I gave them to anyone who asked nicely).

Well that’s about all that’s going on in my world… it is a snow day (snow week?) and the perfect time for staying home, drinking tea, and creating things.  Wherever you are, I wish you warmth and happiness, good tea and loving people.

Until next time…………..

………………….Chris