Comment on copper rose by knivesandroses
Ahh, this one is special beauty...I have seen many metal flowers and quite many roses among those, but rarely this good and realistic...
Only, with me it's not so much about realistic look, but to that fragile, gentle impression it gives...I can almost imagine bushes of these, growing in some other, distant world of metal flowers...beautiful is the right word.
Only, with me it's not so much about realistic look, but to that fragile, gentle impression it gives...I can almost imagine bushes of these, growing in some other, distant world of metal flowers...beautiful is the right word.
Thank you so much for the thoughtful response. The delicate nature of a living rose can hardly be separated from its fragile look. The two go together, as you say. And they give the metal truly a lifelike appearance.
This may not say much about grown men... but I have watched as one man who had never seen any of my work, after holding the rose by its stem for a few minutes, brought the rose up to his nose and sniffed...as if to discover a scent. As quickly as he could he lowered the rose and looked around to see who might have caught sight of him in the dim light of the tavern. I saw him. So, the next day, I went out and bought a vial of rose oil, and since then have put a few drops into the center of every rose. just a little wonderful discovery. Thanks again, John
This may not say much about grown men... but I have watched as one man who had never seen any of my work, after holding the rose by its stem for a few minutes, brought the rose up to his nose and sniffed...as if to discover a scent. As quickly as he could he lowered the rose and looked around to see who might have caught sight of him in the dim light of the tavern. I saw him. So, the next day, I went out and bought a vial of rose oil, and since then have put a few drops into the center of every rose. just a little wonderful discovery. Thanks again, John
A great story! And you know, I'm not sure if I wouldn't do the same as that man, only I wouldn't be ashamed of it...it's so lifelike, it just calls for a sniff. Great idea about scent, I'm sure people who discover it are pleasantly surprised 
But can you answer me a question: would be possible to make a rose out of silver? Just wondering and if you ever read "Amber Chronicles" you'll easily guess why
But can you answer me a question: would be possible to make a rose out of silver? Just wondering and if you ever read "Amber Chronicles" you'll easily guess why
No, don't know "Amber Chronicles". The roses are very lifelike. Many who have held them, even though they are heavy, have asked if I had started with a live rose and dipped it in something. I was asked to do a rose in silver once. I looked into it but declined. Paul Revere was a silversmith by trade. But, I am self-taught and that has some limitations. I think fine silver may be able to be used. Sterling, I think, will not be suitable. If you try it yourself, let me know what you find. The petals are built in courses, not individually. They are not easy to form at any rate. The compound curves of each petal fight the closing up of that course of petals. Enjoyed your reply. Looking forward to hearing from you again. Smitty
It would be pure pleasure to try, but I lack both metal and craftsmanship for such task...well, maybe one day.
Until then, I am pretty satisfied with looking at this one and all your other metal works, they are beautiful to me and rarely for metal, have a soul...
Until then, I am pretty satisfied with looking at this one and all your other metal works, they are beautiful to me and rarely for metal, have a soul...
I don't know how it is that some metal, as you say, shows "soul", and other pieces show workmanship, manipulation, creativity, color...but are lacking "soul". It is an ephemeral quality that stubbornly defies straightforward manipulation. When I first began to work that bunch of copper sheet, I found that because of its alloy I could not get it to color the way I wanted. So, I let the stuff lay for a good year, thinking I would have to resell it. But, one day, I decided to do a complete rose with it, and there it was, way different from the red ones, but maybe better for it. Thanks again, and I do look forward to visiting with you. Smitty