Work samples
About Karl
I am a sculptor working predominately in steel,aluminum and bronze. I have been self employed making sculpture and furniture since 1998.
Process has always intrigued me. From the most primal forms of art making, marks on paper or clay manipulated into a form, to where I am now- utilizing welders and grinders to relate what my mind sees. I have always pushed myself to create a more accurate wrinkle in the skin, a more believable fold in the fabric, a more realistic pose in a figure.… more
Process has always intrigued me. From the most primal forms of art making, marks on paper or clay manipulated into a form, to where I am now- utilizing welders and grinders to relate what my mind sees. I have always pushed myself to create a more accurate wrinkle in the skin, a more believable fold in the fabric, a more realistic pose in a figure.… more
Jump to a project:
Space Grease 2023
This piece began with the ufo body, which is two clutch pressure plates from a motorcycle. As luck would have it, an internet article popped up about these globs of toxic grease floating about in space, while I was in the beginning stages of the build. I now had a theme which dictated the elements of the piece. I decided to make the alien look like a "greaser" from the 1950's, and style the ship with polished trim to make it look like a hot rod. The most important part to me is the gigantic smoke trail that dwarfs the planet the craft is launching from, a bold display of reckless pollution.
This piece consists of found objects / forged, fabricated and carved steel / carved cherry wood / acetone dyes, blackening patina, lacquer.
2022 Projects
These two projects stood out in 2022.
First was the Kraken Shelves. Built to hold the clients collection of art books and small art pieces, this project took 230 hours to complete. It is made from steel pipe and flat bar that has been forged, fabricated and carved into the octopus arms. The shelves are reclaimed pine.
Next was a fun little series of shrunken heads. These were very quick to make compared to my other work so they felt like studies or sketches. Each sculpture started with an actual piston that I built up welds on to achieve the forms, then carved down and added details with die grinders. Each head features an actual wrench in the hair.
As with all my work, nothing is a casting. I form and carve everything directly in the metal, with the exception of any found objects I may incorporate.
First was the Kraken Shelves. Built to hold the clients collection of art books and small art pieces, this project took 230 hours to complete. It is made from steel pipe and flat bar that has been forged, fabricated and carved into the octopus arms. The shelves are reclaimed pine.
Next was a fun little series of shrunken heads. These were very quick to make compared to my other work so they felt like studies or sketches. Each sculpture started with an actual piston that I built up welds on to achieve the forms, then carved down and added details with die grinders. Each head features an actual wrench in the hair.
As with all my work, nothing is a casting. I form and carve everything directly in the metal, with the exception of any found objects I may incorporate.
Brake rotor series 2021
Carved brake rotors, fabricated steel center pieces
Late summer 2021
I've had these brake rotors in my scrap pile for years. Typically I would use them as bases for sculpture or furniture. I thought it might be interesting to see if I could transform these items which are seen as pure junk into some sort of beautiful objects. So I started carving feathers and the ideas just started rolling!
Late summer 2021
I've had these brake rotors in my scrap pile for years. Typically I would use them as bases for sculpture or furniture. I thought it might be interesting to see if I could transform these items which are seen as pure junk into some sort of beautiful objects. So I started carving feathers and the ideas just started rolling!
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Demon RotorRotor with carved flames. Demon head fabricated and carved steel.
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Demon Rotor side
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Eagle RotorRotor with carved wings. Eagle head fabricated and carved steel.
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Eagle Rotor side
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Octo RotorRotor with carved tentacles. Fabricated and carved steel face in center. Steel cage with brushed brass finish.
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Osto Rotor side
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Tiki RotorRotor with carved hibiscus flowers. Tiki is fabricated and carved steel with a brushed brass finish.
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Tiki Rotor side
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Process 1Brake rotor with design drawn on in soapstone
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Process 2Raw rotor and almost fully carved rotor
Jubyap
This sculpture is based on a character in the game "World of Warcraft". I have never played this game, and was completely unfamiliar with the character. Through image sourcing of artist renderings and discussions with the client, we came up with the features he wanted the work to include. I was a bit apprehensive to take on this project, but as a lifelong fan of fantasy art I couldn't say no.
Materials: Steel, bronze, and brass. The patina was created with solvent dies made specifically for metal.
Size: 34 inches tall
Weight: 64 pounds
Completed in December 2020 - total build time 425 hours
Materials: Steel, bronze, and brass. The patina was created with solvent dies made specifically for metal.
Size: 34 inches tall
Weight: 64 pounds
Completed in December 2020 - total build time 425 hours
Telperion
This piece was originally intended to be welded to an existing security door but the client liked it so much that it ended up on a wall inside her house.
The tree and snake are forged, fabricated, and carved stainless steel. The leaves are mild steel with a rust patina. This piece is approximately 6 feet tall.
Completed in January 2020
The tree and snake are forged, fabricated, and carved stainless steel. The leaves are mild steel with a rust patina. This piece is approximately 6 feet tall.
Completed in January 2020
Surfclops
I think this sculpture was conceived on a hot June day on the beach in Wildwood, New Jersey.
I was attending an event called "The Race of Gentleman". TROG, as it is called in general discussion, is an 1/8th of a mile drag race on the beach. It features American cars 1934 or older and American motorcycles 1957 or older. All the participants are wearing period correct garb, a black and white photo of the event looks like it could have been taken 75 years ago.
This piece reflects the visuals I experienced at TROG and also the vibe. I envisioned a piston headed cyclops hanging ten on a longboard coming out of the curl of a wave. The proportions of the figure are a nod to the "sand kicked in the face" guy in the full page comic book ads, and the Weirdos created by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. The striped, one piece bathing suit seemed correct to set the time frame, and the seat flap added for some whimsy.
All parts of this sculpture were fabricated, forged and sculpted from raw sheet, pipe, and bar stock. Nothing is cast. The only part I didnt make was the piston I started with.
I was attending an event called "The Race of Gentleman". TROG, as it is called in general discussion, is an 1/8th of a mile drag race on the beach. It features American cars 1934 or older and American motorcycles 1957 or older. All the participants are wearing period correct garb, a black and white photo of the event looks like it could have been taken 75 years ago.
This piece reflects the visuals I experienced at TROG and also the vibe. I envisioned a piston headed cyclops hanging ten on a longboard coming out of the curl of a wave. The proportions of the figure are a nod to the "sand kicked in the face" guy in the full page comic book ads, and the Weirdos created by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. The striped, one piece bathing suit seemed correct to set the time frame, and the seat flap added for some whimsy.
All parts of this sculpture were fabricated, forged and sculpted from raw sheet, pipe, and bar stock. Nothing is cast. The only part I didnt make was the piston I started with.
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2018-10-01 18.19.48.jpg
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2018-10-01 18.22.56.jpgPlease click on image to view in proper orientation
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2018-10-01 18.32.42.jpgPlease click on image to view in proper orientation
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2018-10-01 18.34.24.jpgPlease click on image to view in proper orientation
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2018-10-01 18.23.11.jpgPlease click on image to view in proper orientation
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2018-10-01 18.21.16.jpg
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2018-10-01 18.21.35.jpgPlease click on image to view in proper orientation
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2018-10-01 18.24.07.jpgPlease click on image to view in proper orientation
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2018-10-01 18.28.12.jpgPlease click on image to view in proper orientation
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2018-10-01 18.25.28.jpgPlease click on image to view in proper orientation
Differential Diver
2017
Forged, fabricated, and carved steel, bronze, cherry, pine, found object.
24.5" tall x 12" wide
This piece began with the differential gear cage reminding me of an old diving helmet. As I progressed through building the sculpture memories of my childhood fish tank surfaced, most prominently the various bubbler accessories I would put in the tank. Skeletons, treasure chests and sea creatures all fascinated me.
Forged, fabricated, and carved steel, bronze, cherry, pine, found object.
24.5" tall x 12" wide
This piece began with the differential gear cage reminding me of an old diving helmet. As I progressed through building the sculpture memories of my childhood fish tank surfaced, most prominently the various bubbler accessories I would put in the tank. Skeletons, treasure chests and sea creatures all fascinated me.
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Differential Diver 3/4 viewFinished sculpture
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DD processFinished head sculpt being fitted in the differential. Beginning to shape the octopus.
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DD process 2Fabricating the bronze window trim. Finished head and octopus before having its legs bent to their final positions in the background.
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Differential Diver front viewFinished sculpture as viewed from the front.
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Differential Diver back viewFinished sculpture as viewed from the back.
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Differential Diver octopus detailThe finished octopus attacking the Diver.
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Differential Diver mask closed detailA closer look at the bronze front window. It opens by unscrewing the tiny wing nut on the left.
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Differential Diver mask open detailThe head began as a hollow steel ball. A bit of forging, then a lot of build up welds and carving.
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Differential Diver head 3/4 view
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Differential Diver side window detailA glimpse of the Diver's ear through the side window.
Billy Brain Bucket
2017
Forged, fabricated, and carved steel, oak, found object
18" tall x 8.5" wide x 18" deep
The seed of an idea for this piece was planted at The Race of Gentlemen (TROG) in Wildwood, NJ. I wanted to create a sculpture that reflected the attention to detail the participants had to their vehicles and clothing. I'm also a fan of late 50's early 60's lowbrow or hot rod art. The characters on the Weirdo t-shirts, with their extreme gestures, also were a big influence.
This is not a casting. All parts, with the exception of the gear on Billy's head, were made directly in steel.
Forged, fabricated, and carved steel, oak, found object
18" tall x 8.5" wide x 18" deep
The seed of an idea for this piece was planted at The Race of Gentlemen (TROG) in Wildwood, NJ. I wanted to create a sculpture that reflected the attention to detail the participants had to their vehicles and clothing. I'm also a fan of late 50's early 60's lowbrow or hot rod art. The characters on the Weirdo t-shirts, with their extreme gestures, also were a big influence.
This is not a casting. All parts, with the exception of the gear on Billy's head, were made directly in steel.
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Billy Brain Bucket side viewFinished sculpture as viewed from the side.
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BBB processHelmet carved from a steel hemisphere.
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BBB process 2Toes carved out of 1" diameter steel bar.
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BBB process 3Head and arms complete, working on the t-shirt.
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Billy Brain Bucket front viewFinished sculpture as viewed from the front.
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Billy Brain Bucket head detailThe helmet flips open to reveal the brain.
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Billy Brain Bucket club cut detailCarved patches on the back of the vest.
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Billy Brain Bucket springer detailSpringer style front forks.
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Billy Brain Bucket leg detailThe toes pictured previously are now poking through the boot. The legs were pieces of steel pipe.
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Billy Brain Bucket base detailInteraction between steel and wood. The base was carved from a single slab of oak.
Prime Mate / Wood Chopper Weirdo
Prime Mate:
Forged, fabricated, and carved steel
17.5" tall x 8" wide x 13" deep
Wood Chopper Weirdo:
Forged, fabricated and carved steel. Old axe head. Wood salvaged from the tall ship "Constellation"
Forged, fabricated, and carved steel
17.5" tall x 8" wide x 13" deep
Wood Chopper Weirdo:
Forged, fabricated and carved steel. Old axe head. Wood salvaged from the tall ship "Constellation"