Iron John Logan sent photos and comments on his sculpture technique using copper liquid paint. For an enlarged version of these photos, click here for the Grand Rapids Art Prize entry.
"Hello and good morning. Thank you for all your help. I love your product.
I used the copper paint on a large public piece of art that showed in the Grand
Rapids Art Prize event. The piece titled Michigan: an Immigrants Dream
represents the materials that historically brought the immigrants to Michigan -
Iron, Copper, Pine, the Great Lakes, and the people themselves.
I used the copper paint over hammered steel instead of real copper for a number
of reasons; to keep the cost down, to make the piece lighter, and namely to safe
guard against theft. The product did all that and more!
I used the paint full strength, brushing on a very thin coat over the lightly
rusted steel. I then went back and gave it a number of top coats diluted 50/50
with paint thinner. Dabbing the brush on the final top coat made the steel look
exactly like real copper sheet. Also how it tarnished slightly in the next few
weeks made it amazing!
I am including in this email pictures of the finished piece and also an
attachment of the statement and concept that is shown with the piece.
Thanks again
Iron John Logan
Look for me and more pictures of my work on facebook or at
this link or call 517-745-9331"
More from Iron John
"Michigan: An Immigrant’s Dream exemplifies the material history of the state of Michigan; the materials that shaped the culture, the economy, and the collective history of our state.
First the use of our vast water ways, then the discovery of our virgin pine forests; our mineral resources of iron and copper, and most importantly our human resources; the immigrants that came here to tap the natural resources, make new lives for themselves, and furthered the progress of the state.
Even after the initial natural resource booms were over, the founding fathers of the automobile industry choose Michigan for their industrial empires because of the proximity to iron, copper, sand for glass, water for transportation, and populations for work forces.
I used all of these resources as my materials. Though both water and people are un-shapeable by hammer and anvil – mallet and chisel, they can both be represented by a common iconic metaphor; a ship. A ship that both sailed the Great Lakes, carrying our natural resources to consumers around the world, and a ship that sailed the Atlantic, bringing millions of immigrants to our fertile lands.
I have made a representation of a square rigged mast, reminiscent of the clipper ships that plied both the Great Lakes and the Atlantic in the mid 19th century. The mast of iron and the sails copper. The rigging of steel attaches the mast to its haul of old growth timber."
For other copper paint ideas, this page illustrates some uses, or check out the copper liquid paint blog.
CLICK HERE To purchase copper liquid paint or call direct 610-941-1051.