Copper Birdhouse

 

 

Copper Birdhouse

Here is a recently completed birdhouse.  The base measures 6" x 6" and is 20" tall.  It was formed using no sharp corners.  All the design elements were formed by rolling the edges with a hammer.  This gives the piece a fairytale look similar to one that could be found deep in a dark forest.  Almost no layout lines were drawn and few measurements were used giving this sculpture a dream-like quality. 

This piece of art was made during the coldest part of winter and was a nice way to pass the days.  In  other words, I am caught up in my projects.  This gives me time to experiment.

This copper cottage features a flowering vine that is complete with one of my hummingbirds and a window with diamond grid.

 

 

Side View

This view shows the cottage window. This birdhouse will be installed on the front entrance of our house.  I presently have a sculpture of a heron and hawk and this will be a nice addition.

 

Please Enjoy,

Tim Summerville timsummerville.com

 

 

 

Copper Robin Weathervane

Yard Size Weathervane

Here is the beginning of a small size weathervane suitable for a backyard paradise.  The two halves are taking shape with one just a little farther along.

You can see the rough hammer marks necessary to create the shapes.  Extra copper will be trimmed and edges turned inward prior to brazing the body of the robin.

 

The Finished Vane

 

 

A temporary wooden block supports the vane in the picture. 

The robin sits on a natural branch with a vine wrapping around and through the elements of the vane.

This twisted vine has leaves and a freeform shape which adds a whimsical look.

 

The overall length of this vane is 26" or so I think.  There were no mechanical drawings prior to forming the copper.  This one was a gift so I had complete freedom in the design and I enjoyed starting with an idea of the bird and adding the branch and vines at a whim.

 

Tim Summerville

217-722-0827

Visit my website timsummerville.com

Copper Heron Standing is Finished

I would like to share a picture of the Standing Heron after it was finished and installed by the new owner.

The sculpture seems very much at home overlooking the pond.

During construction a stainless rod was added inside the support leg.  Then a threaded coupling was welded to the end of this rod at the bottom.
For the installation the new owner attached a long threaded rod to the coupling and then this was pushed deep in the ground.  

Visit my Website.
timsummerville.com

Standing Heron

Standing Heron

 

Standing Heron

I am working the knee of a standing heron.  I thought about making the bent leg in two halves, but decided if I brazed the lower section with the upper section of the leg I would have more control of the pose.  This seems to work nicely.  How about this, a copper heron with an artificial knee.

 

 

Close-up of the Knee

Temporary wires hold the pieces in place while adjusting the position of the leg.  This allows me to place the leg in a pose in relationship to the rest of the body.  In the straight leg there is a stainless steel rod that goes through leg and is anchored into the body.  This greatly increases the load bearing qualities of the copper leg.

 

Tim Summerville,  copper artist

timsummerville.com

 

 



 

Wild Caught Salmon - Finished

Wild Caught Salmon

Hi, Here are the finished pictures of the recent copper sculpture named "Wild Caught Salmon".  The wingspan is 5 ft. and is really heavy.  It is made from 20 oz copper sheet and is freehand hammered using no forms or purchased patterns.  If the wings were outstretched the measurement would be

6 1/2 ft.  The eagle is bolted to a natural distressed piece of hardwood that has been stained to compliment the copper.

 

Close-up

This eagle has just caught his lunch, "wild caught" and has landed on a piece of wood.  The body of this 12" salmon is slumped over and is being dragged over the perch.

 

 

Portrait

It is never finished until you stop and pose for your portrait and this is no exception.

 

 

 

I am including this pic for a sense of scale.  It is easy to say that the sculpture is heavy and is 5 ft wide but this tells the whole story.  Today when I was loading it in my truck someone stopped to get a better look.  Of course this ended with a quick tour and a preview of what is being hammered now.

Tomorrow the sculpture will be on display for our local arts week.

 

Now you are part of our local arts week.

Thanks Tim Summerville

timsummerville.com

 









Wild Caught Salmon #2

Wild Caught Salmon

There is a current picture of the full-size eagle that I am working on.  This sculpture is 5ft. wide and is quite heavy.  It is made from 20 oz. copper sheet with stainless steel frame inside the body and wings.  This has been considerably more work than I originally thought because the amount of copper sheet multiplies as the size increases.

 

As I look at this picture, I find plenty of humor.  Here is a "headless" artist that created a "headless" sculpture.  There's hope that soon the eagle will have a head, but not so much hope for the artist.

Who says that art isn't fun.

 

 

Close-Up of Eagle's Catch

Introducing Izzy, our Black Laborador dog.  It's hard to get an outdoor picture without her in the picture and this is no exception.  She alway is so interested on what I am doing.  On the right is the eagle's feet.  I especially like how the tail of the salmon is slumped over the mount.

 



 

 





More information as this sculpture is completed.  I have the wooden platform glued-up and ready to be cut into a 24" round base.  I have big hopes for this one.

 

 Tim Summerville and Izzy the dog

timsummerville.com

Wild Caught Salmon

 

Wild Caught Salmon

 

Hello on a Friday.  This is a quick blog to let you know what is current and still warm.

 

This is a special Friday edition.

 

Your boss has CERTIFIED that it is OK to waste work time on Friday afternoon looking at this blog.  Corporate realized that on Friday afternoon you need some personal time that is not listed on your timecard.  Just in case your employer did not get the e-mail...you might want to switch screens if anyone walks by your cubicle.

 

The full-size eagle is landing on one foot, body centered, talons gripping the wood branch.  The other foot is grasping a 12" salmon while the tail is raking over the branch.  The 12" salmon gives the viewer a sense of scale of this large eagle.  In other words "wow".

 

 Enjoy your weekend,

Tim Summerville

timsummerville.com