I was intrigued by copper - its color and its feel - from the instant I was given my first etching plate in college. Copper is the preferred metal for drypoint prints because it holds the line better than zinc. As one scribes into the metal with a sharp needle, a soft burr of metal is kicked up on the side, producing the soft line that is characteristic of a drypoint print. But I also loved the sensuousness of the whole process - I loved the way the ink looked on the surface, the contrast between velvety black ink and the rich coloration of the metal plate.
Later when I started to create monotypes - I preferred using copper to the
clear acrylic plates that was common - just because I loved to see the ink on the surface. But I was also scratching the plate and using drypoint in the process. One day I was painting on the surface of the copper creating a monotype - (which at that point was figurative) - and the ink on the plate looked so luscious that I decided
not to transfer the image to paper as you normally would. Instead I let that be the finished product - a painting on copper. That led to a series of paintings on metal called, "Mythic Tales."
Also about this time, I had a vision of creating a series of copper vessels - a sculptural installation. My interest was multi-faceted; I was interested in the vessel as metaphor and symbol:1) it being one of the main artifacts from ancient cultures, 2) the vessel as a way to capture water and store food for early cultures - to sustain life, and 3) the vessel as a metaphor for the human body - particularly the female, as giver of life.
I should also mention that copper was known in early cultures as a healing metal, a material with high energy vibration. Even today - people use it for various ailments such as arthritis.
My first group of vessels were formed in the metal spinning process by a company in the San Francisco Bay Area. I painted the surfaces and had stands made for them out of steel and arranged them in a group of 7. They had a ritual quality - mystical and ancient. These were shown at dpfong Gallery in San Jose, Ca.
I had heard of a copper town in Mexico in the early 90's - before Mexico was even on my radar screen. Almost 10 years later, I made it to Santa Clara del Cobre, a small pueblo in the state of Michoacan - about 10 miles from Patzcauro. It is amazing! The entire town is filled with copper - vases, plates, sink, tubs, jewelry, etc. The pieces are hand-forged and beaten into shape over an open fire pit. Around every corner is another taller (workshop) where the men are fast at work, hammering out new shapes. In the center of the town is a cultural center where they display exquisite prize-winning pieces produced by the maestros in the town.
From the first time I went in 2001, I was excited about seeing the workshops, talking to the workers, and negotiating a deal. The hand-forged pieces always contain a surprise in their multi-colored patinas created by the extreme heat. Now, I am anxiously awaiting new pieces that I ordered on my recent trip in July. So it is that I continue to be inspired by copper and use it as a material creating vessels, wall sculpture, and paintings.
