These sunny days have been good for the soul! I'm back in my studio creating again! I've decided to try some new finishes and I settled on just the raw, aged copper as my favorite option for a rustic feel. While I normally use an apoxy resin for a glossy shine, I'm exploring leaving the copper in it's natural state after I patina the piece. This particular look pairs well with raw or distressed wood frames.

A recent "collaboration in the works" with wood genius, Kelly (owner of Little Branch Farm), brought to light that his customers love a rustic vibe. While the high gloss is my preferred way to highlight the colors I achieve from the aging process, I understand that some customers may prefer a different look. Well, I aim to please! So, I'll be working with Little Branch to create some great pieces with a natural vibe. 

What do you prefer for your decor? A high-gloss, colorful finish or a rustic, natural look? I guess it all depends on your interior space. I often use one of my preferred interior designer contacts to guide my custom copper clients with making final aesthetic decisions. If a client is doing a copper bar top or back splash, I always suggest the resin finish for lasting durability and use. However, we can really get creative if the aged copper is going to be used as art! That's when the different finishes (or lack thereof) can come into play! You can choose your texture! 

I'll be sure to share more about my collaborations as they come to fruition! Stay tuned!

One of the most exciting things happening in the world of Copper is My Canvas is the expansion of the commercial side of my business. I’ve made some wonderful connections recently with businesses for which I will be collaborating to grow my commercial clientele. As of this month, I am now showing my copper patina samples in Watson’s Floor Gallery in Brentwood/Cool Springs! Watson’s offers their designer customers options for various interior finishes such as laminates and tile. I hope to be a new and unique option for people seeking custom finishes. I’m intrigued to see how people’s imaginations run wild! It will provide me new opportunities to challenge myself to create their vision for their space. Check out Watson’s Floor Gallery!

Well Hello, 2019! You’re moving faster than my liking...but I am going to jump on board! This cold weather makes it harder to get motivated to go into my shop but once I do I’m in my element - creating again! The rest and relaxation of the holidays has left me refreshed to come back to my studio and do new pieces that will find their forever homes! I’ve been testing out some new methods to my patina. It’s interesting to find a balance between temperature conditions, time of patina, and methods of treatments. I use my instinct to know when a piece is finished. Some of my sample tests have lasted up to a week to achieve my desired result. I don’t mind the wait! It’s actually kinda fun! So stay tuned, NEW COLORS AND TEXTURES COMING SOON!

As the years go by, I “want” less and less. Christmas becomes more about reflection and taking time for myself. As I pause this Christmas season, I’m reminded of the unrest that still exists in the world around us. You can hardly turn on the news without realizing the pain and suffering of those near and far. I do what I can daily to keep a positive mindset - meditation, prayer, long walks, time with friends…all of these things bring me peace.

This colorful, quirky pole sits outside of my studio and acts as a daily reminder of that powerful mantra - “That peace prevail on Earth”. It might be a tall order, but I believe that’s all I’ll ask for this year - Peace. Peace for you. Peace for your family. Peace for those you love. Peace for those who are strangers. May the peace and joy of the holidays touch you on a new level this year…a level that will call you to actions of love and kindness.

God Bless,

Karla

I'm so happy with this BEFORE AND AFTER! The "Before" picture shows the raw copper after the patina process. I spent a week manipulating the copper with different methods to get these vibrant colors. The "After" picture shows the final piece after I applied ArtResin. This epoxy resin gives the colors a rich, glossy finish. Each color just comes alive! I'm extremely happy with the result! What do you think?!

I added ArtResin into my creative process because I feel it makes the colors pop and creates movement in the piece. As you walk by the finished copper piece, it's like the art is liquid and changes with the eye's position. I've been asked by other creatives about this last step of applying resin. I always say,  "It's what gives the copper life!"

-Karla

ArtResin

I always love when businesses embrace copper in their decor…especially when these businesses are local favorites! N2Skin Nashville is now featuring a copper piece in their beautiful (and relaxing) spa lobby! Thank you, N2Skin ladies! I hope you love your art piece!

In 2019, I’ll be revealing other commercial spaces featuring my aged copper in their businesses! The excitement of all of the possibilities fuels me to keep creating new pieces, new colors, and new textures in my patina! Now - back to work I go!

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!

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)!