This past week we had the opportunity to have the Teen Apprentices from the CAC stop by our studio for a guided tour. This was both the first time we opened our studio to a group of students and the first time we were placed in a teacher role. Needless to say, we were a bit nervous but excited to have young eager minds take part in what we have worked so hard at creating over the past few years.

As most students in a new and unfamiliar place they were a bit shy but it only took us asking a few questions to get them to start talking art. We learned that they were painters, sculptors, passionate drawers, and all of them loved the idea of using recycled materials, a staple in the creation of Copper Art Designs. After learning each student’s strengths and weaknesses we moved our discussion to the gallery which quickly turned to a wonderful brainstorm session. We were able to help provide insight and ideas for their upcoming art event that is completely planned and put on by the students themselves.

Through out the afternoon it became apparent that there really is a desire and need for more art in our area. Our high school students are searching for any outlet where they can be creative, learn techniques, and show off their ideas. We were happy to grant them a safe haven for the evening where they could talk freely about the abstract and absurd, even a bit of the classics for good measure.

We hope this is only the beginning of sharing our passion for art with students and fellow artists alike. The Teen Apprentices showed us there is a pulse still beating at the center of our community. It is asking for collaboration, it is begging to learn and share, it wants to feel cultured and loved and we plan to help in any way that we can.

The Teen Apprentice Program will host their event on Friday, May 28th at the CAC. The event will be centered around their own artwork and will also include an open mic, live bands, Guitar Hero on the big screen, and an art raffle. It is sure to be a good time, one that you don’t want to miss, or in their words it is certain to be EPIC!

-Douglas

We have taken this opportunity to expand our artwork by creating pieces that are not only bigger but that allow us to show off even more of coppers brilliance. New ideas, images and videos will be posted periodically to allow our dearest friends and fans to follow along as we prepare for our days of art on the beach.

If you are going to be in the area please come check us out along with 300 artists from near and far who will be sure to impress as well. Get some new art and make some new friends all while you work on your tan at the ocean front. We hope to see you there!

Show Dates:
Thursday, June 17th 9am-6pm
Friday, June 18th 10am-6pm
Saturday, June 19th 10am-6pm
Sunday, June 20th 10am-5pm

Copper Art Designs will be located at 21st Street on the Boardwalk.

Douglas

via Colin Blogs

Copper sheet metal is cut into various shapes, colored with patina via oxidation, and displayed in hand crafted wood frames. This work explores how humans visually and conceptually reconcile the dichotomy of discrete and continuous data as it relates to nature and time.

I’ll try and post some explanations of the pieces soon. See ya’ll soon.

JSuar

↓ 365 Days – Etsy Listing

↓ Blue Alchemy – Sold

↓ 12 Month – Etsy listing

↓ Animal Line Work – All sold

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

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

Found out today our Ida bookmarks were included in one of the coolest Etsy treasuries I’ve seen yet. We love to see other artists out there exploring how Science and Art intersect and compliment each other.

Thanks to Fata, an an Etsy buyer “interested in things that meld science and art and useful stuff.” We encourage all the science geeks out there to check out the Natural Selections treasury. Treasuries only last for a few days. Head over to our Etsy Store to see our newest artwork.

Thanks for stopping by the blog!

JSuar

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer gifts? We have just what you have been looking for. Forget the candy and the cheap trinkets and toys this year, let Copper Art Designs fill the Christmas stockings of your loved ones with pieces of art!

From bookmarks and bracelets to mini journals and coasters we have something for everyone. Or if you don’t see something you like at our table there will be dozens of other local artists and crafters at the show selling wonderful gifts as well. Check out the video below to get a better look at the items that will be on sale.

Happy Holidays from the Copper Art Designs Team, we hope to see you there!

Douglas

The chill of autumn has made its way to Virginia bringing an end to our art show season. But before it is all said and done we have one last show in the Ghent area of Norfolk. Stockley Gardens Fall Art Festival hinges on some of the finest artists in the area and is one of the largest art shows in the Hampton Roads area. If you haven’t had a chance to check us out this year please stop on by — we love to see familiar faces and to make new friends. With a little luck the rain will stay away and we can all greet the crisp fall weather together surrounded by good music and beautiful artwork. We hope to see you there!

Dates & Hours:

If you need directions:
Stockley Gardens Park in the Ghent section of Norfolk

Schedule of Events:
Live entertainment; kids’ activities; artists’ reception