Artistic Welding

Gretchen’s sculptures typically reuse discarded metal and other found materials. A twisted steel shape or a rusted patina may inspire a work immediately or, more frequently, lay in her scrap pile until just the right work calls for inclusion.

Many of her sculptures encourage the viewer to interact with the work - feeling the gravity of the chain, spinning the old bicycle gear or reconfiguring the primitive mask. Whenever possible, she believes sculpture should be consumed by the beholder through touch and interplay.

Finished works may have original rusted patinas or be powder coated.

Below is the evolution of a commissioned work for a poolside “towel” rack. Photos shows the initial design which repurposed some discarded steel, the building of a base, the assembly, and the final product after professional powder coating. The owner subsequently moved to a home with no pool but repurposed the sculpture to a garden setting which I believe looks even better!