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Artist Exhibitions:
Coming Soon!
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Artist Galleries:
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Artist Reviews:
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Collections:
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Commissions:
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Artist Statement for Mel Hett
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It all began when my Dad arranged for me to spend some time working with my Uncle Ern, who had a successful metal sculpture business called the Copper Shed, back in Kansas, where I grew up. Uncle Ern taught me many of his welding techniques and design, then told me to go home and practice. At the time, I was working full time here in Oklahoma, so I was only able to weld as a hobby for several years until I could retire and devote more time to sculpture. Over the last 20 years I have honed my metalsmithing skills and designs selling pieces at regional art shows and by word of mouth.
I retired in 2002, after 28 years in State Law Enforcement as a Criminalist and can now spend more time with this passion.
Each of the pieces for sale and in my gallery end up being a one-of –a-kind piece due to the methods and finishing techniques that are used. I utilize recycled steel, copper, brass and wood when available, but sometimes have to find new materials. The main technique used for welding is oxy-acetylene brazing with a torch, using bare bronze welding rod. This gives a nice gold color and patina to the welded joints. Occasionally I use electric arc welding on mild steel.
Leaves, and some of the shaped parts are hand cut, with shears, snips, hole punches or freehand with a torch from sheet metals. There are no machine cut or mass produced components like you find in department store type pieces that they call “art”. Leaves and other shapes are hammered, shaped and textured by hand processes. Some of these processes are by traditional blacksmith or whitesmith (tinsmithing) techniques. For example, copper sheet pieces are heated to a dull red color and then quenched. This is called annealing, which takes the temper, or stiffness out of the piece and allows it to be easily shaped and worked by hammering, bending or veining. Steel, on the other hand is heated and then bent or hammered on an anvil while still hot, using traditional blacksmith techniques. The colors of the copper, brass and steel are derived from the welding heat and the manner by which they are quenched or cooled. Many hours of trial and error and practice is invested in bringing out the beautiful patinas and textures.
Finishing a piece involves sanding, grinding, brushing, reheating, polishing or a combination of the processes to remove some of the firescale and to bring out the natural beauty and develop the unique patina of each material. A final step is applying a clear coat for depth, luster and protection of the work.
Wheat heads are probably the most difficult and detailed part to make. The entire wheat head is made from bronze rod and a special twisted wire using only the oxyacetylene torch. The process took years of practice to perfect.
Custom designs and commissions are always welcomed.
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