Finishes

Raw Steel - This is exactly as it sounds.  I'll have the metal cleaned up for you, and you can add your own finish or let it age with the elements.  A lot of websites will tell you that your raw steel will patina.  This means it will rust.  Is there anything wrong with that?  Absolutely not.  I have rusty art all over my yard, and I love it.  I just want you to know exactly what you're getting so there are no disappointments.

Aluminum with a Clear Coat - Aluminum is chosen when customers prefer no risk of rusting and want the long-term look of unfinished silver/grey metal.  The aluminum is sanded with a flap disc to create a beautiful shine and then given three layers of clear coat. It increases the durability of your piece and adds a depth to the silver/grey color and shine to the metal. 

Flame-Painted - This is a technique in which I use a butane torch to heat the metal.  As the metal heats up, it changes color. It starts with a light brown and goes through shades or pinks/purples and finishes with a blue.  I need to know when to stop and that usually happens before it starts turning into the color I want.  It's very easy to heat it too much and then there's no color left in the metal, and then I have to start all over sanding the piece.  All of my flame-painted designs will receive a clear coat.  The vibrancy of the color depends on the lighting.  Many of my pieces will go outdoors, and the coloring will change with how the light hits it.  IMPORTANT:  No two pieces will ever be the same.  The pictures you see are just an example of what you will get.  Please don't hesitate to email me if there's something specific you're looking for.

Metal Dyes - Metal dyes are translucent in color, which allows you to see the beauty of the metal underneath. Each bird in my collection is hand-painted. The dye dries instantly once it is put on the metal, so brushing techniques give off different looks. The vibrancy of the color changes with the lighting. My personal metal cardinal is a bright, shiny red when the sun hits it, but as the clouds come in, it turns into a deep, earthy-red tone.  All pieces will receive a clear coat to protect the color.  I purchase my metal dyes from a small business in the USA.  IMPORTANT:  Just as with the flame-painted pieces, no two pieces will every be the same.  The pictures are an example of what you will get, but because each piece is done individually, there will be variations.  Please don't hesitate to reach out if there's something specific you're looking for.