My new "Hobby"

olcowhand · June 21, 2021, 09:57:45 AM

Since I retired, I've been exploring some different creative outlets to occupy my time. I had been (and still do...) following a lady on LinkedIn that has published a few books on Welding Art. One book in particular focusses on making Silverware Critters (Scorpion, Frogs, Dragonflies, etc.). I took off of that idea and began welding silverware into Figurines. I started with a Bowhunter (my best seller...), then began working on more complex pieces.
As an aside, I have doodled (during Conference Calls and other stimulating meetings....) "Stick Man" art through ~40 years of my Engineering career, so transitioning from drawing to "sculpting" was not that tough- but I'll let others decide that.....
I took a bunch of my "Art" to a regionally popular 3-day festival along with some slabs and other stuff; the "Art" was a huge hit! people would be 30'-40' down the lane, glimpse my stuff- and come over with huge smiles to discuss. I have it priced as Art, so not many Big Ticket takers- but I sold enough to convince me that I'm on the right track.
What do you think?

As you can see, I've also found a use for some of the Offal from my Live Edge projects...

.....And a couple that may trigger a memory of something seen before; reply if you think you recognize anything familiar.....

or:

Some others...

Okay, let me have it!

Dan_Shade · June 21, 2021, 10:29:05 AM

I like it.

Larry · June 21, 2021, 11:07:34 AM

The art is great and I think very original, the pictures are terrible. Get a pro to take your pictures and use them to make a portfolio. A photo backdrop and getting rid of the flash will do wonders.

I really like your work. 8) 8) 8)

Ljohnsaw · June 21, 2021, 11:18:22 AM

WOW! Really great stuff.

jb616 · June 21, 2021, 11:32:42 AM

6th pic is "American Gothic"? Farmer and wife with pitchfork? Nice work!

olcowhand · June 21, 2021, 11:49:59 AM

You are correct, sir!
Steve

Raider Bill · June 21, 2021, 11:59:24 AM

Is the other one the lighting of the Olympic torch?

Resonator · June 21, 2021, 12:40:10 PM

Love it!

X2 on improve the photos, you'll want to filter the light slightly to keep the harsh reflection down. One nice thing with digital you can take a couple dozen pics from different angles, light, backdrops and just keep the best. Also you can digitally ad a backdrop to help "sell" the story. I would say restaurants would be interested in your work, and the motorcycle one would definitely appeal to riders.

Tom King · June 21, 2021, 01:43:57 PM

Awesome!!!!

How much for an American Gothic?? I want one. FF gets a cut, of course.

olcowhand · June 21, 2021, 01:47:10 PM

Quote from: Raider Bill on June 21, 2021, 11:59:24 AM
Is the other one the lighting of the Olympic torch?

Bill,
Nice, but no cigar.....
Steve

mike_belben · June 21, 2021, 02:09:32 PM

The dunk and the choppers came out great!

olcowhand · June 21, 2021, 02:14:35 PM

Quote from: mike_belben on June 21, 2021, 02:09:32 PM
The dunk and the choppers came out great!

Thanks, Mike. I never played basketball, but I've always ridden Hard-tails....
I'm still waiting for someone to correctly guess the original subject of the "Dunk" piece. It comes from a Poster called "Hang Time".....
Steve

olcowhand · June 21, 2021, 02:25:37 PM

Quote from: Tom King on June 21, 2021, 01:43:57 PM
Awesome!!!!

How much for an American Gothic?? I want one. FF gets a cut, of course.

Thanks, Tom.
Some of these pieces are still available. I'm not listing them here, but you all know that I have no qualms regarding taking care of our Fearless Leader and acknowledging the work he does.
I also can accommodate commissions, if you can draw a stick man of what you're thinking- I'll let you know how I will try to execute.
As for sales, PM me and I'll quote you a price; we'll copy Jeff upon agreement, so he knows the amount. He will get equal to or more than the normal FF commission. My word on that.
Steve

olcowhand · June 21, 2021, 02:33:35 PM

You all are being very generous with your feedback, and I appreciate it.
Larry, When my new Corporate entity is established, I intend to start a Web site and your advice regarding using a pro Photographer is great... Thanks.
Having said that, I forgot to post a pic of my most intensive piece ("We're getting a band together"):

sprucebunny · June 21, 2021, 04:56:06 PM

Nice 8) 8)

Hi Ho Silver, away

farmfromkansas · June 24, 2021, 08:44:32 AM

Looks like you will be hitting a lot of auctions to keep up your supply of material. Cool use of your imagination. A neighbor built a scrap metal man to hold his mailbox, always admired that. Your art is better than the scrap metal that was around the art building at Fort Hays Kansas State University, where I went, the industrial arts building was the other wing, we always made fun of those guys. One of those art guys made a stupid bet that he would cut his hair off, had to get a burr, but left a pony tail.

Jeff · July 04, 2021, 07:24:00 AM

Love it!

Stephen1 · July 04, 2021, 09:14:25 AM

Great work ,I really like it.

woodybutcher · July 05, 2021, 09:25:09 PM

NICE WORK! Was there a cowboy riding a bronc in that group? smiley_horserider

olcowhand · July 06, 2021, 05:17:55 AM

Quote from: woodybutcher on July 05, 2021, 09:25:09 PM
NICE WORK! Was there a cowboy riding a bronc in that group? smiley_horserider

Yes, I call that one "Rodeo Athlete(s)"....
Among all the the things I'm an "Old" something or other, "Rodeo Cowboy" is in there somewhere.
Steve

aigheadish · July 08, 2021, 09:40:14 AM

These are incredible! Lots of good pieces, thanks for sharing.

My dad used to make sculptures out of any kind of wire he could find. The most memorable ones were an airplane and motorcycle. These reminded me of that.

olcowhand · July 08, 2021, 12:49:25 PM

Thanks again, everyone!
My latest (that's a "working" Base; I'll mount the finished piece on a Live Edge Base):

Again, I apologize for the picture "quality"......
Steve

Tacotodd · July 08, 2021, 05:08:58 PM

There is NOTHING to apologize for on that last one, N O T H I N G ! ! !

olcowhand · June 26, 2024, 08:19:18 AM

So, it's been close to three years, but I'm resurrecting this thread....
While I can't claim this "Hobby" has developed into a very successful Business Venture, I've managed to incrementally increase the visibility of my Art. There are a number of nearby businesses that display (and occasionally sell...) my Art, but a really nice thing happened last fall when a local Art Gallery expressed an interest in carrying my stuff. I was recently invited to submit a larger piece for display in a Flower Bed that is located on a prominent corner in downtown Cadillac, MI.
He is delighted by this piece, called "Caught off the Dock (with a worm)"- and recommends a heavy Base so it doesn't "grow legs".
One pic shows the piece mounted on a Granite stone, which I intend to drill holes through to thread 1/2" bolts into the bottom of the "feet". Another option is to just cast a base from concrete.
In any event, I would like to mount a Stainless Steel plaque with the name of this piece, my business name, and the name of my "Sponsor". The plaque will be around 3"x8", and I'd like to find someone to engrave it. If you have the capability to do this, please send a PM.
This will be a straight up commercial exchange, and I'll make sure Jeff stays healthy.
Please consider helping if you can. Thanks.

For reference, the piece stands about 22" high, the rock is 18"x24"x7"

olcowhand · July 10, 2024, 09:57:15 AM

"Cowboy Spa" (Horse trough)

Magicman · July 10, 2024, 01:37:35 PM

Those are very innovative and creative to say the least.

WV Sawmiller · July 10, 2024, 01:54:42 PM

Now I think I know what's been happening to all my silverware.

Great work. Very creative.

aigheadish · July 10, 2024, 02:29:57 PM

You've got an incredible eye for making everyday stuff look like something else. The saltshaker-top hat is great!

Old Greenhorn · July 10, 2024, 03:07:22 PM

All your work is great, but this one is particularly inspired. Love the addition of the colors and I still can't quite figure out how you hammered out the hat. Just amazing stuff you make.

SwampDonkey · July 11, 2024, 02:52:37 AM

First I've stumbled across this thread. Those are great works of art. Do you call them miniature sculptures? You have a creative eye, that is for sure.

olcowhand · July 11, 2024, 07:20:10 AM

Thanks for all the nice comments, guys.
@WV Sawmiller , If you think I'm going to drive ~650 to Hinton, West (by God) Virginia, to steal silverware from what has to be the Baddest BA in the land of Bad BA's, you haven't been thinking straight! (your bride sends them to me via UPS....)

@SwampDonkey , I just call them Weld Sculptures. Thanks for stumbling upon these. I'll add a few more pics, including a FB post that came out yesterday, regarding an up-coming Juried Art Fair that I'll be attending.

SwampDonkey · July 11, 2024, 07:43:08 AM

Very nice Steve.

I like those to, especially the fishing themed ones.

Magicman · July 11, 2024, 08:27:10 AM

I identify as multi-fascinated....I love them all !!!

Bert · July 11, 2024, 02:57:43 PM

Mark me down as impressed!

If you start taking custom orders I'd love to have one of a guy running an old hand set circle mill!

WV Sawmiller · July 11, 2024, 06:00:35 PM

Quote from: olcowhand on July 11, 2024, 07:20:10 AMThanks for all the nice comments, guys.
@WV Sawmiller , (your bride sends them to me via UPS....)

All I can say is I am getting tired of eating my soup with a set of chopsticks and a plastic fork.

olcowhand · July 12, 2024, 10:58:58 AM

Since everyone seems to like these, I'll post some more...
I get quite a few requests for commissions after attending a Juried Art Show. Last year, after my Cadillac Show (the one that I posted about visiting FF Family....), I had a request for 4 commissions: one for this couple's son (a runner), and another for their DIL (also a runner, but she competes with her "signature" cap- with the brim turned up). Then, later, she asked for one for each of her two grandsons- one is a LH Little League Pitcher, and the other is a skier. Enjoy....

Yes, she sent me pics of each of them to work from, which I won't publish.

olcowhand · July 12, 2024, 11:01:41 AM

Yes, Howard- Those skis were fashioned from your BBQ Tongs!

olcowhand · July 12, 2024, 12:21:46 PM

Quote from: Bert on July 11, 2024, 02:57:43 PMMark me down as impressed!

If you start taking custom orders I'd love to have one of a guy running an old hand set circle mill!

@Bert Can you send me a pic of what that would look like? I may be able to put something together. If not, I'll let you know that I won't be able to represent the image.... Thanks.

NE Woodburner · July 12, 2024, 01:13:18 PM

@olcowhand - your work is truly amazing. I wish I had 1/2 of your artistic ability.

aigheadish · July 12, 2024, 01:35:56 PM

Are they soldered together or like TIG welded? I see the weld on the bottom of the skier but most of the connections seem tiny and very clean.

WV Sawmiller · July 12, 2024, 10:34:31 PM

Yes, Howard- Those skis were fashioned from your BBQ Tongs!

Dang it! I thought those looked familiar!

olcowhand · July 13, 2024, 05:44:33 AM

@aigheadish , I use a MIG Welder to tack the joints. Most of the "Silverware" I use is some lower grade of Stainless, and while I have Stainless wire and pure Argon (which one should use when welding Stainless...)- I just use my rig set up with mild steel wire and 75%/25%.
If I tried to run a bead on Stainless with this set up, it's likely that the weld would fail.
I should state that I have to really study the body position of the subject, or I will poorly represent the form. This entails me trying to adopt the stance or pose, then studying the position of the limbs. Legs are fairly simple, but hands, elbows and shoulders (relative to their ability to rotate) can be troublesome. It's tough to get a "flat" fork handle to duplicate the motions that an arm can achieve. Since arms and hands represent a large portion of the "action" we see when we watch an activity, it's important to get them right in order to achieve a "sense" of kinetic energy being displayed (if that makes sense...). It helps a great deal if I have personal experience with the activity being represented. For example, many folks have asked for a "Golfer". I have never golfed, and I have no interest in Golfing- so I can't wrap my head around how to represent the pose. Horses are a totally different world, so I'm glad I've been around them my entire life.
I'll post a few more somewhat complex sculptures I've done, that I feel I've done fairly well.

olcowhand · July 13, 2024, 08:57:05 AM

While we're stressing the need to "relate" to the subject, here are a few of my favorite things. I've done (or still doing) all these things, and I usually can create these from memory...

aigheadish · July 13, 2024, 10:19:37 AM

Thanks for the info!

You really do find a lovely sense of motion.

I'd love to buy one of these, if you have a gallery of sorts that shows what you have available.

olcowhand · July 13, 2024, 11:28:30 AM

Thanks, @aigheadish
I have a FB Page and a website under my business name that shows some of my work.
If you see a piece you like or would like me to try something new- DM me. When we finalize a deal, I Cc our fearless leader so he knows the deal. If you contact me through another venue, please identify yourself as an FF member. I discount purchases that include multiple pieces or large items, and I'm known as someone who can answer calls for the unordinary... The commission I pay FF is between us, and the folks who buy from me know what it is.
I'll continue to include pics on this thread, and anything you see can be made again, albeit a little different.
I'll DM you with my contact info.
Steve

"Business Card Holders":

Two versions of "Grey Wizard":

"Self Explanatory":

aigheadish · July 13, 2024, 11:30:06 AM

Right on, thanks man.

I'll have a look through your stuff and let you know.

olcowhand · August 01, 2024, 09:27:46 AM

Things are busy!
I installed the large piece "Caught off the Dock (on a worm...)" in the Flower Bed in Downtown Cadillac, before the Big Art Fair. Many folks said that they noticed it when they came to my Booth.

Then, I got a Commission from someone in Xenia, OH- for his wife. She's active in an Organization called TNR, which involves the Capture, Neutering and Returning Feral Cats to the Environment they were found in. They clip the tip of the Feline's Left ear to show that they've been through the Process. This Piece (not the ear tip, the Art piece....) gets shipped today. I hope she likes it.

.....And, I had my best Lumber sales day ever this last Tuesday....

Thanks, FF Fam

olcowhand · August 01, 2024, 09:32:34 AM

Oh, I forgot to mention: Some folks who will be at the Pig Roast came to my booth during the Art Fair, but I didn't get a pic- so it really didn't happen. Maybe you all will hear about it at the Shindig.....

doc henderson · August 01, 2024, 09:34:07 AM

what are you using for the photo background?

olcowhand · August 01, 2024, 09:35:42 AM

Hobby Lobby rolled, textured sheeting....

doc henderson · August 01, 2024, 10:32:46 AM

it looks thick. is it paper or rubbery? nice!

olcowhand · August 01, 2024, 12:21:55 PM

It's a paper product, but kind of tough. They sell it in rolls, and I tack it over my Freezer, then fold it down to cover the back wall and top of the freezer.
I got so much "feedback" from our team here about my various backdrops, I decided to do something about it...
Thanks, Doc.