Stephen Fitz-Gerald

Thank you Don,
I have developed many industrial contacts and allies in the last 30 years of making metal sculpture. When I get a fat commission I try to share the wealth, and have done much "outsourcing".This allows a certain tolerance and professional courtesy amongst my support network. Today I went back to the industrial facility that had let me use their marvelous old J.C.Whitney punch ,to show them the fruits of my labor and the manifestation in "Art" their contribution had made...Often these folks have not a clue about how their parts are going to end up in one of my sculptures...I am often viewed as some mildly entertaining eccentric that for some reason the owner of the facility tolerates.But by returning with the finished work and or a print of it for the wall,it allows them to vicariously take part in the creative process and see the result of their contribution. In a large measure it helps to ingratiate myself to them,and thus to be accepted once again in the future when some obscure creative idea captures my attention,curiosity,and inspiration and I simply cannot dislodge it without manifesting it's form in the material world.

Stephen Fitz-Gerald

Thank you Ansuz,
I love working in silicon bronze . It is so warm and organic for a metal...and of course the patinas possible with this material are manifold...

Hello Stephen,
Cool cone! With the Holiday Season rapidly approaching, I envision a nest of these cones adorning a hefty wooden mantel above a crackling fire.
Anyway, not only have I yet to delve into experimenting with stainless, silicon bronze is another medium I endeavor to explore. Is there a "local" source where I may acquire a few pieces to experiment with?
I can't wait to accept your invitation to drop-by your studio for a couple of tips on working with stainless. Just a few more weeks and I hope to be wrapping-up my current gate commission, and to have my little Boxer pup under some semblance of control - LOL!
'Till then, take care,
Dino

Stephen Fitz-Gerald

Hey Dino,
Do you know the salvage yard called Bataeff Salvage on Mountain View (off Santa Rosa Ave,near Friedman Bros.)?
I get allot of stainless scrap there($3 a pound I think).As far as silicon bronze goes,I order that fresh from ATLAS METALS in Denver because it's hard to find at the scrap yards...
Let me know when your gate is done...I'll invite you over...
I have a big gate in Occidental somewhere(it was moved from it's original location). Have you seen it anywhere:
http://ou8nrtist2.deviantart.com/art/Entrance-Gate-39954725

Indeed I do! I have been dropping-in there for a number of years. However, I was not aware of Atlas - thank you for the tip.
What a coincidence! A couple of years ago, I built and installed a much more contemporary gate:
http://www.wildgates.com/gallery/iron-gates/coastal-gate.jpg
only a couple hundred yards from where your gate currently resides in Occidental. When I began the project, I passed by
an entrance to a private residence on the road; performing a double-take as the copper form captured my attention, while thinking to myself, 'I wonder who made this gorgeous gate!?!"
Have a great day!
Dino

Stephen Fitz-Gerald
I like your minimalist gate Dino.Simple but effective.
Sometime you'll have to explain where my gate ended up in Occidental,at least which road it's on...I need to reshoot it for the portfolio.

I appreciate the comment - thank you!
I need to go out there within the next week or two. When I do, I will obtain the exact address for you.

On another note: I have been perusing the "Guimard" gate, and pondering how you formed the long gentle radius prevalent on the uprights (and on the diamond at that!). Roll bender, or with heat and leverage?

It's off to weld the hinges on my current gate - again. Last night I spend 30 minutes carefully positioning and tacking them into the exact wrong location. Oh well, I suppose that's why we "tack" things up, eh?
Have a great day!
Dino

Stephen Fitz-Gerald

Hey Dino,
All those verticals were made in PAIRS,(one for the left panel and one for the right)and the long sweeping curves were actually done cold (if I remember correctly).I made some REALLY BURLY bending forks with long handles for leverage. Bending the pieces after they were forged on the diamond was easier than I'd thought it was going to be...The sketch was the key. We followed it pretty closely and I laid out everything on the floor and got up on a ladder to get far enough away from it to see if the scale was correct etc.When I initially told my partner on this project (David Hamilton)I wanted to forge all the parts "on-the-diamond"he asked me if I was nuts...LOL. But after making a sample we both agreed the extra aesthetics accomplished was well worth the effort.