Large - Kris's Site

June 9

Copper, Steel<br>Size 29" x 40.5"<br>Early June in the Applegate Valley in Oregon is magical. The flowers burst forward against the fading deep green of winter as if to wish the cold a final farewell. I found myself in a field of poppies at Troon Vineyard. I was memorized as these large paper thin flowers bobbed and teetered on their long thin stems. Dancing in the breeze with a fragility that can only be appreciated if you leave the flower untouched. The poppy warns "do not pick me, for I will wither away". Perhaps that's why I hold this bloom dear. A temperamental flower that refuses to look beautiful anywhere except where it chose to root. <br>I wanted the personality of the poppy to shine through in this piece. Using a thicker gauge copper, I was able to mimic the paper like petals through forging out each section to give it a lightness. In order to keep it feeling organic, movement and texture were ver important. By using chemical reactions rather than paint I was able to preserve even the thinnest marks. Created using my own photography and no computer assistance, this piece is truly an original.

December 15

Copper, Steel<br>Size 35.5" x 30.5"<br>Driving through Independence Or one evening I was hit with inspiration. At dusk the sky turned bright orange and the landscape around it turned to shadow. A feeling of calm washed over me as we drove along the country roads weaving through the orchards. Each tree black against the sky. I knew I wanted to recreate the feeling. In recreating the feeling I also knew the sky had to glow orange. It had to give the feeling the light was coming from just beyond the mountains. I spent a lot of time making sure the shadow effect was coming through. I sanded the background so that when the light reflects it give this circular pattern as if mimicking the sun. I created this piece after such an amazing weekend. One that brought my path so much confirmation. I hope this piece finds you calm and gives that feeling for driving in the countryside.

Growth

Copper, Steel<br>Size 20" x 20"<br>Driving through Colorado I was struck by these sunflowers all through the city. They weren't growing in a field or in someones well manicured yard, they were growing through the cracks in the cement by the highway. These beautiful sunflowers refused to be defined by where their seeds fell. Regardless they grew and blossomed. I knew I needed to create them, I knew in a way they represented us all. "Growth" was created completely by hand. Each petal was cut, cleaned, hammered and welded into place. The background is hammered copper. 1 of 1, this special piece is easily hung on any wall using an anchor. Please keep out of the reach of children.

Reaching

Copper, Steel<br>Size 28" x 23.5"<br>The side of a rocky mountain doesn't seem the place for a bush. Clinging to a rock reaching past the shadow for sunlight. But yet, that is exactly what I saw driving through the Cascades. Every new day greeted with hope and a renewed sense of belonging. The bush provides shade to the grasses and wildflowers that grow beneath it allowing them to flourish during the hot dry summers. The roots stability to the little soil that remains when the rains come in the winter. Every person, every thing has its place and purpose but you can never stop reaching for it. Although it may be just out of grasp, tomorrow brings new growth and new opportunities within reach. The branches and mountain side made of steel. The leaves, grasses, and background created from copper. The background having a blued patina, while the leaves heat treated giving it the hues of pinks and reds, every part welded meticulously into place. Please keep out of the reach of children.