Copper Curiosities | Quick Ship Metals News-Blog

Rob Koehl Creates Magic with Metal

Nov 242009

When Rob Koehl's torch gets hot, something exciting is going to happen, like this beautiful fish sculpture.

Rob Koehl’s takes the copper he purchases from Quick Ship Metals and transforms it into stunning works of art. Being a fisherman, I might be too biased, but the detail and texture of his work got my attention quickly.

Koehl feels that his art speaks to the practice of a mystical alchemist, seeking spiritual growth, through the process of co-creation. “The direct process of metalwork, allows me to experience the processes that shape the physical world,” he said.

In working with the copper sheeting, most pieces are cut out using a plasma cutter. Koehl likes to work fast, and the plasma cutter makes that possible be he also enjoys hammering the copper. “It fascinates me how the copper can get so hard from hammering, then soft from just heating it and putting it in water,” he said. He also enjoys welding with the MIG welder and brazing with the torches, but added that grinding can be rather therapeutic.

The detail and striking patina color can only be appreciated up close.

The salmon sculpture featured in the photograph is an original piece created by commission for the buyer’s specific interest and sizes based on the wall they envisioned it to be displayed on. Another limitation was that it had to be shipped. Koehl and the owner both agree that the pictures do not do the work justice. This piece created so much interest for his work that he created a special page to display it. The piece measures 42″ x 22″.

Koehl sums up his work by saying that if he had to name a style to his art, it would have to be called Naive American. I’m thinking something along the line of metal magic might be closer to the point. To experience the full scope of his work, visit his web site at: robkoehl.com

Pete McCaskill Creates with Copper

Copper Curiosities, Metal Art

Nov 222009

Here’s another inspirational story for aspiring artists, especially those that appreciate the beauty and potential of copper.

Pete-McCaskill-1 Pete McCaskill is a Quick Ship Metals customer that gives copper sheeting some very attractive twists and turns, not to mention very unique coloration. McCaskill was born and raised in Vicksburg, Mississippi where he took every opportunity to study art. Now, he feels he has found his true calling.

In his philosophy statement, he says, “Each of my sculptures represents an effort to bring into a single harmonic expression the various characteristics in the material and its form.” To achieve this he uses old pieces of driftwood and other wood he as designated “FOG” wood, because it was Found on the Ground. While some of his work is strictly wood, McCaskill also uses copper extensively, as he did with this mesquite and copper sculpture entitled “Precious Division”.

Finding just the right piece of wood often takes some time because he’s looking for just the right bend, shape and size to compliment the subject he wishes to express. “Many times it is the nature of the wood that directs me into what the finished piece will be. The wood was alive once before and I have the opportunity to bring it to life again. If I can look and ‘listen’ to its many voices, and by voices I mean all of the various characteristics of the wood, I can then bring to life a beautiful expression that is contained within,” he said.

You can view his other pieces or purchase one for your own collection, by going to http://www.petemccaskill.com/gallery.php

Slice and Dice Design Artistry

Copper Curiosities

Nov 192009

gloves When you sell raw materials to creative people, you never know how your products are going to be used. Copper is such a beautiful and functional metal that it is used widely in all types of metal art, from decorative weather vanes to metallic sculptures in fine art galleries. However, the latest revelation to come to our attention combines craftsmanship and cinematic suspense to the point of terror. Once you’ve seen the work of Storm customer Anders Ericksen, I think you’ll agree his work is over the top.

If you were to ask 1000 horror movie aficionados to name their top five thrillers, there is one movie and one character that would be in the top two or three of all their lists and certainly would make the No. 1 slot in many. That character’s name, Freddie Krueger, and the movie(s) of course would be the cinematic series that caused many residents to quietly put their property on Elm Street up for sale; known among admirers simply as “Nightmare.”

The most frightening aspect of the several Nightmare on Elm Street movies were the long metallic claws that wreaked havoc on the unsuspecting victims, despite the fact that you and everyone in the audience yelled, “Look out!”

Robert Englund

What’s that you say, “You’ve always wanted a pair of those claws?” Now you can horde horror collectibles to your heart’s content, but I’d recommend you go for the copper gloves. It’s Storm Copper, so you know you’ll have a ghoulish glove that will last a lifetime of fright-times.

The creators, Anders Ericksen and Eriq Chang go to great effort to make the gloves as close to the original version used in the movies that horror movie fans have come to know and love. Ultimate Horror Collectibles offers an extensive collection, and an interview with the infamous Freddie, AKA Robert Englund who shares his innermost thoughts on the movies he made and gashes he’s celebrated. Nightmare Gloves creates cinematic quality replicas and Elm Street collectibles that are available through the web site, as well as an interview with Englund. Click this link to Gorge yourself on the ghoul at NightmareGloves.com .