Work in Progress!

I normally show my completed projects but sometimes it’s nice to show a work in progress! I mean after all - aren’t we all a beautiful work in progress?! This particular color scheme reminds me of my “trip of a lifetime” - driving down the Pacific coast highway and through Big Sur! I took so many pictures of the water - I just couldn’t stop! If you’ve ever driven that route, you know there are countless overlooks for which to pull over and observe the ocean and it’s magical shoreline. And each one provides a new prospective of the breathtaking view. Today I stopped to observe this piece in progress. I think it’s coming along quite nicely!

Aspen Summer

As we leave Summer behind and say “Hello” to Fall, I begin to think of the beautiful transition that happens between seasons. In Summer the warm glow of the sun lights the lush, green trees. In Fall the colorful leaves slowly reveal their splendor. It’s a cycle of life that I never tire of experiencing! Nature is the inspiration of my art, and for this particular piece, I imagined that this is what Aspen must be like right now! It’s as if the trees are at the edge of the cliff of Summer ready to leap into the Fall season! For this particular piece, I patinated the copper for over a week, manipulating it to achieve these vibrant colors! Aspen Summer, here I come (well, in my mind, anyway)!

Residential CopperKarla Deal
Vase to Wall!

My clients can be quite creative with their ideas for how aged copper can fit into their space! In this case, my client from Maryland called me to create an art piece for her river house. She sent me a picture of a colorful vase with vivid greens and touches of neutrals and browns. She wanted me to mimic the colors of that vase in the art piece. I chose to do a 3 piece grouping because the tall, skinny palates reminded me of the tall vase. When hung together, the pieces create a beautiful, artistic statement!

River House Blog.jpg
Residential CopperKarla Deal
Signed, Sealed, Delivered!

I just finished this piece for my client and it's on it's way to her home! I hope she likes it! This customer saw my work at the Paul LeQuire & Co. gallery. She fell in love with the black and golds of the Carolina Summer piece (see the Copper Palates page for reference), but it wasn't the size she needed. She asked the gallery owner to commission me to do a custom piece for her. She wanted me to do something within those palate of colors on a larger scale. So, with nervous energy I went to my studio in hopes I could create the perfect compliment to her space. 

There's always a little bit of an unknown in creating a custom work. I patina the copper and then wait. Then I decide if there's more that should be done or if the work is finished. I let the copper guide me. It will reveal itself when it's finished. I was delighted with the end result! I hope my client feels the same! 

 

Karla Deal
Log Cabin Art!

My residential customers are drawn to the aged copper. They may have seen a piece in a gallery or on my website and want a custom work specifically for them. Sometimes they have a specific spot for the art in mind and sometimes we place it according to the flow of the room. In this particular case, we framed the copper to give it more depth. I thought, at first, that the frame would dull the look of the piece and make it seem one-dimensional. However, to my pleasant surprise, it took the copper to a new level! It anchored it on the wall, both visually and literally! Ha! It seems as though it allowed the colors and textures to come alive in the space!

Pacific Inspiration!

I recently took a "bucket-list trip" down the Pacific Coast Highway - from San Francisco to LA. All I can say is WOW! The views were breathtaking! I found myself stopping every few miles to take another picture! I captured images of animals and flowers and ocean, as well as sunrises and sunsets I'd never seen. The world is one amazing place, isn't it?! I can't wait for my next adventure! 

 

horses.jpg
flowers.jpg
Karla Deal
Copper as Art

Aged copper can be a beautiful statement piece in your home! Over a couch, in a hallway, on a dining room wall...you name the room and it will be become a unique focal point. Here are a few of my favorite copper art pieces I recently finished! The sizes vary depending on the space. Sometimes I'll even group the art pieces together for an eye catching collage wall. I'm currently showing some of my custom copper art at Paul LeQuire & Co. in Green Hills! 

Karla Deal
Introducing my sidekick, Maverick!
Mav.jpg

Maverick is an intricate part of the copper patina process! He provides constant love and encouragement to me while I work, and sometimes a cute distraction. Maverick is a 6 year old standard poodle with a kind (and energetic) human soul. Maverick's favorite things are jumping, sweet potatoes, long walks, and being petted. He enjoys being a copper expert and approves every custom piece that goes out of my studio door.  I mean who could resist this face?! My copper is Karla aged and Maverick approved!