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Biography: |
"We love doing shows, interacting with our patrons. It's the perfect culmination of our creativity." - Van Jernigan, Artist
Our work can be described as contemporary southwest, contemporary western. Not at all rustic, it is very highly finished. Each piece begins as a hand molded frame of copper, sometimes tubing, sometimes flat stock, which is then hand cut, braised & hand shaped to reflect the artists' desired effect. The process incudes use of an anvil, shaping tools, various grinders & a plasma cutter.
Each piece is then painstakingly finished. The finishing process includes soaking in a mild sulfuric acid solution, precise grinding & cleaning with steel wool. We use several patination techniques, some hot & some cold. Finally, the completed piece is coated with a highly durable finish to ensure its longevity.
Van designs each piece & is responsible for the metal work. Sue assists with the patinas, assembles each piece & adds the textile accents. Experimentaion & imagination are a key factor in the development process of each piece & reflect the creativity of both artists. As each piece consists of a multitude of differing plates, colors & textures, the eye feast on a truly dynamic multi-dimensional work of art that is as timeless as it is beautiful.
"Late in life, you find yourself doing something very artistic!" - The Star Lady.
With that forcast, Van & Sue embarked on the odyssey that has taken them from the automobile business (sales) to the fantastic path they have chosen. Both are self-taught, which enables them to see far beyond the norm with their creations. "Self-taught" means no one has clouded your creativity with all of the things you shouldn't do. Everything is a 'can-do', which leads to innovative textures, colors & provacative designs. Simple, yet without limits."
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