Sheet Metal Posies

On Saturday I was able to take a class at the Studio at Rush Creek, a coffee shop/art studio near my home. The class was called Metal Ribbon art and was taught by Debbie Isaacson who makes these incredible metal sculptures from metal pipes and sheet metal. At right is an example of her work and the top pic is the piece I made in the class. It was really fun to learn some different techniques and try out some different tools and materials. I learned how to drill holes through metal conduit, how to cut aluminum flashing into shapes, how to use a pneumatic riveter, and how to assemble it all. The instructor is coming back in July to teach a class on Garden Art and I'm going to try to take that as well.

by Debbie Isaacson

What I really enjoyed was using her techniques to make something that incorporates my sense of style. Like any new experience I got all kinds of fab new ideas for my own work. Like sheet metal quilts with stenciled patterns and wire stitching. The beginning part of the sculpture felt a lot like putting a mini art quilt together. Fun new visions of art have been dancing through my head ever since. I spent last night researching how to paint on metal. Spray paint seemed obvious but for a more painterly approach I was thinking I need paint I can mix. Some were using acrylic, some were using oil, but what was really fun looking was the cans of metal Rustoleum I saw someone painting their car with. So we'll see how much it all costs, how much I can figure out, how it will all work, and what I can do with it. But FUN!

I'll keep you updated- but in the meantime I'd like to know if any of you have painted on metal before and if you primed your metal first, if you sanded, what kind of paint you used and on what kind of metal. SO please, if you've any experience with this, please, please, please, leave a comment and THANKS for your help!!!