Lil Bronze Tree

'Bronze Tree'
2014
Cast Bronze with glass beads on copper wire on found red rock.

H 9" x W 7" x D 6"

I made this piece many moons ago and have added to it over the years, merging a combination of sculptural techniques pulling from the natural world literally and conceptually.

The tree itself was built using the lost wax casting process, weaving wax coils with tapered ends for the roots, trunk and branches. Adding in tiny branches I gathered from my surrounding environment. Building a series of wax channels in preparation for the next step, a large sturdy mold where the impression of the tree exits by heat then it's ready to receive molten metal, filling the empty spot the tree left in the mold — a long amazing ancient process!

For the top I gathered and twirled glass cane onto the ends of copper wire with a small torch then wove the copper wire into the bronze tree — like tangled lichen among the branches.

The red rock spoke to me on a desert adventure, placing it in my pack I knew it would be a perfect fit with this piece!