Copper Blog

An Artists Tale: Episode 3 – Levon Walker

The third episode in my series that chronicles artists that live in the Virginia Beach area. This episode introduces us to our first musical act of the series, Levon Walker. We get to hear Levon play and fill us in on where his music comes from. It is easy listening from this clever lyricist with a gentle approach to the world around him. Though Levon has left the area to continue his adventures in Mexico a part of him remains as an inspiration to the art community.

Follow Levon @ noroomforhipsters.wordpress.com

Stream of Conscious Mapping from the Abyss

If we had to, in just a hundred characters or less, I guess we would explain the project some what like this:

“With scrap materials as building blocks, the tale of how storytelling and creativity was conceived.”

Well, that is a jumping off point at least though we would like to think there is much more at play here. These pieces started off as most of the projects John and I have worked on together, with a lot of ideas and not nearly enough time to execute them all.

Stream of Conscious Mapping from the Abyss is our initial attempt at a visual metaphor, sculpting how humans learned to express their inner emotions through stories. Early development and understanding hinged on our ability to interpret the world around us. Science, and more specifically math, helped to form the foundation of understanding. From there humans were able to abstract and create with the elements in their environment. These creations evolved into music, written stories, visual art, and many other forms not traditionally thought of as art. As human understanding grew and technologies progressed, humans slowly were able to start capturing and interpreting more and more of the world at large. In the modern day human creativity appears at a point that which building blocks are reaching new heights and pushing the bounds of expression. These pieces serve as the road map of how humans arrived at the door step of today.

The colorful collages are representations of the reaches of the human narrative. They are paired with pieces of “Remainder Art” as John and I have deemed them. Rough cut cardboard that has collected excess paint, glue, and lacquers used in the creation of other art projects. This pairing allows us to cleanly see the unknown happenings around us that, if given a chance, have at the heart of them what the human narrative is all about, life.

Unfortunately we did not get accepted into the exhibit this year. This could be seen as a let down but for us it was a chance to create that we were able to seize. Our collage of scrape materials now decorate our own studio walls waiting for their next evolution.

-Douglas

Blog of the New Year

As the sound of the new years bells slowly settle in the back of our heads our hands and minds are fighting the frost to keep art alive. This year we plan to take a new approach to our blogging. We will still keep up with our traditional posts showing off new copper work and updates about shows and events. Though, we want to focus on not only the art that we create but the art that is created in our community by friends and new acquaintances alike as well. As our fiends at AltDaily [altdaily.com] seem to point out on an almost daily basis, Hampton Roads is in need of a sustainable artist community!

Not that we are lacking talent and people with a sense of culture rippling through their veins, it is just not big enough yet. So in hopes that we can keep ourselves creative and inspire those around us we will be posting our attempts at poetry, short films, musical experiments, more artist documentaries, and various 2D artwork. If you have a project that helps us to think or question or that just simply allows us to take a step back and appreciate all the sights and sounds around us please let us know about it.

Stay tuned for what we, and what you, come up with!

Let’s not let the area go stale this winter, until we meet again,
-Douglas

Otis Film Fest

Near the end of 2009 we had an opportunity to work on award plaques for the Otis Film Festival held annually at Regent University. The awards were to be given to various winners at the festival in six different categories (see list below for award and award winners). Chris Free who participated in the festival was also in charge of finding the appropriate ceremonial gifts. He came to us looking for rustic and aged plaques which would honor the outstanding attempts at cinema at Regent.

We produced awards with a rough deep brown patina that gave them an antique look. We also allowed the fill of the etch (the text) to pull out in certain areas to add further effect. The final result was something very original and far from the ordinary plaques or trophies commonly given at award ceremonies.

We thank Chris for seeking us out to help in this project and we hope we can be of service in the future. Congratulations to all the winners at this years Otis Film Festival.

The Otis Film Festival is annually hosted by the Council of Graduate Students and Regent Undergrad Council.

BEST FILM
Brittle Time – Producer & Director: Caleb Stern, Writer: Michael Boling

2ND PLACE
Standing Outside – Producer: Christopher Free, Director: Joshua Overbay, Writer: Molly Hughes, Director of Photography: Benjamin Dyer

3RD PLACE
3. Sad Sarajevo – Producer: Stephanie Bain, Director/ Writer: Jon Mark Nail

BEST ACTOR
Ryan Clemens

BEST ACTRESS
Anna Koehler

MALENDOWSKI AWARD
Crab Feast or Famine – Producer/ Director: Kat Moo

-Douglas

Welcome, Come On In

The newest of our custom pieces was a big one that allowed us to work on something we had wanted to for a while, a welcome sign. Early in the companies evolution we had made a few welcome signs just experimenting and ever since we have wanted to take the time to do another one. After meeting Bob and Brigette in Blacksburg, Virginia this summer we soon realized we would get our chance.

At the Steppin Out Fesitval this August we had an opportunity to take on some custom jobs. Our favorite however turned out to be a 24” x 10” custom welcome sign that Bob and Brigette commissioned. It was to be for the entrance way to their house that serves as a foyer before you actually get into their home.

We worked to make a few modifications to the piece over the span of a month and finally had a solid image to work with. It came out perfect. Just recently Bob sent us a couple of photos of it finally in place. With time the piece will begin to patina and take on a unique character all its own. Thanks Bob and Brigette for letting us help with such a cool project.

If you are interested in a custom piece for your home or as a gift we would love to hear about it.

Till next time,

Douglas

An Artists Tale: Episode 2 – Ashley Addair

The second episode of my new series that chronicles artists that live in the Virginia Beach area. This episode takes a look at a painter I had the pleasure of meeting at the end of this past summer, Ashley Addair. The piece explores her wide use of color on canvas as well as inspiration and influences that have helped shape her inner artist.

Follow Ashley at her blog: http://noroomforhipsters.wordpress.com/

52 Weeks and Its New Home

Our prize winning 52 Weeks has finally made its way to its new home. A lovely couple and their children strolled up to our booth in the final hour as the Neptune Fest was drawing to a close. They simply fell in love with the art work displayed in front of them. After some debate as to what piece or pieces would complement their home the best Diane and Jason decided to go with 52 Weeks. There were a few alterations that needed to be done to the work in order for it to be hung at their home so unfortunately they were not able to take it with them that day. A few weeks later it was ready to go and Diane and Jason payed us a visit at our studio and once again gazed at the gallery walls with a sense of amazement as they pondered how it would look inside their home.

We recently received photos of it perched over their front door and it looks amazing. We are so happy we could bring the joy of the arts into yet another house hold.

Since the creation of 52 weeks we have expanded the idea and it has slowly turned into a three piece series reflecting the cyclic seasonal change of a year here on planet earth. 365 Days and 12 Months are the book ends that round out the series. The titles are self explanatory and we couldn’t be happier with the way they have turned out.

Keep checking in
-Douglas

An Artists Tale: Episode 1 – Electric Skeleton

The first in my new series that will chronicle artists that live in the Virginia Beach area. Episode 1 is about a good friend of mine, Jeff Sheely, often referred to as Electric Skeleton. This video captures Jeff at work and also gives us insight into his paintings, style and his approach to life as an artist.

Follow Jeff at http://iamelectricskeleton.blogspot.com/

California Custom Copper

In the middle of October we were once again presented with the challenge of creating a custom order. Time was of the essence this go around as we needed to produce 65 bookmarks for the Marketing Concepts Group based out of Long Beach, California, and we had just about a weeks time to do it in. The Marketing Concepts Group is an experiential marketing agency that functions as a boutique, minority run, agency with clients such as Verizon Wireless, Hyundai, and Coke as well as an assortment of amazing events that happen all over the country. Needless to say, we wanted the bookmarks to be stunning since they would not only be reflecting our company but members of the Marketing Concepts Group as well.

With some quick thinking and swift designing we spent a handful of days exchanging information with Allison Thomas, a marketing director for the Marketing Concepts Group. She was in charge of making sure the gifts given at this event were of the highest quality. As we let her know she was one of our best clients yet helping to make the project come alive on such short notice. Just recently she filled us in on how the event went and exactly what the gifts were used for.

Little did we know the bookmarks were going to serve as a gift from Tami Erwin: West Area President of Verizon Wireless for selected guests attending the event. In an email from Allison she told us…

Tami Erwin held the intimate dinner at the Hotel Maya for about 65 guests on 10/26/09 which is where the bookmarks were passed out along with a book from Maria Shriver (she is the one responsible for making the Women’s Conference happen). Overall the event was a smashing hit and all guests had an amazing time….I’ve never been thanked so much in my life.

Well, let us thank you one more time Allison for your seeking Copper Art Designs out to help in creating a most memorable evening for your agency and all of your wonderful guests. We hope to hear from you again in the future.

If you have a project or an event that you would like us to help collaborate on please feel free to contact us, we are always up for the challenge!

-Douglas

All Hallows’ Eve

The hollow ghosts come to eat my bones
Still we skeletons dance alone
In the dark some lost at sea
Our eyes are missing blind we scream
Our hearts are empty
Our souls grown cold
Cloaked in dust we are bitter old

Once a year comes our night
We trick and toil in absence of light
Drunk on terror and menacing grins
We torture your mind with a thousand pins
Waiting to taste what we need
Thick from your veins as we squeeze
Exhausted your will we make you bleed
You belong to us for it is All Hallows’ Eve

- Douglas