Lobby Sculpture Commission

I spent this spring/summer in my sculpture studio fabricating 4 colorful steel "jazzy jungle" sculptures for the lobby of an office building in Beachwood, OH. Making steel sculpture, for me, is always a combination of  fun, excitement, stress, problem solving, physically hard work and personal reward. The images below document some of the steps along the journey to completion of this large project.

Possibilities for "jungle fronds" cut out of cardboard and posterboard.

Grinding, filing and sanding the edges of individual pieces after they have been cut from sheet steel.

The main pieces for the first two sections ready for shaping.

Pieces bent into shape ready to be welded to a steel plate.

Pieces are welded to steel plate. Shaped steel rods serve to stabilize the piece and enhance the composition.

After a thorough scrubbing, each section is primed.

Pieces are taped off and painted in the colors requested by the client.

Section 1 attached to base and installed in lobby.

Section 2 attached to base and installed in lobby.

Section 3 attached to base and installed in lobby.

Section 4 attached to base and installed in lobby.

Lobby before installation.

Two sections installed on left wall.

Installation complete.

Creating steel sculpture is not a one person job. Extra hands are needed to  handle tasks along the way.  I owe a debt of gratitude to  my stepson, David and to Dave a neighbor who helped when I needed an extra strong arm, to Lou, another neighbor who allowed me to store completed sculpture sections in his garage,  to John Sprenkle who produced the photos of my sculpture in the lobby and especially to my husband, Fritz for his assistance in the shop, his technical knowledge, and with the secure installation of the wood bases. Thanks guys!!!