The Redfish and Walleye Project

I recently had a request for two commissioned pieces of artwork.  A colleague, who is also a fisherman, saw a piece of my work hanging in another colleague's office and asked about the artist.  He had no idea I made art.  He asked me to take a look at a couple of photos and to consider producing holiday gifts for him.  I warned him that photorealistic rendering is not my forte.  But if he wold give me some creative license to "do my own thing" I would take up the challenge.

I really wanted these pieces to be good... really good.  And I'd toyed with the idea of working with sheet copper for a long time.  So I decided to take the plunge and figure it out, to see if I could really do it and satisfy a client, and myself, with the work.  The photos that follow document my copper hammering adventure.

I'm very satisfied with the work.  And fairly certain that my client is also satisfied with my work.  I think the finished pieces look great.  And I'm really excited about what I've learned about working with the media.  I did have to solve a few problems, like fabricating the tools to make the scale and fin shapes.  And I had to invest in a couple of pairs of titanium bladed shears.  But things worked out really well.  Like I said, I'm very satisfied.

I'd like to acknowledge my photographer and friend, Billie, who was there with me for this entire project.  She's the bomb.

Please leave any comments, notes, criticism... whatever in the comments sections below the posts.  I really do appreciate the feedback.