Work samples

  • Differential Diver
    Differential Diver
    Forged, fabricated and carved steel, bronze, cherry, pine, found object
  • Billy Brain Bucket
    Billy Brain Bucket
    Forged, fabricated and carved steel, oak, found object.
  • Surfclops
    Surfclops
    This old school monster catching a wave is not a casting, but the result of hours of directly forming steel, aluminum and wood.
  • Jubyap
    Jubyap
    Sculpted directly in steel, this is my take on a character from World of Warcraft.

About Karl

Baltimore City
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

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.

  • Space Grease
    Space Grease
  • Space Grease full side view
    Space Grease full side view
  • Space Grease front 3/4 view
    Space Grease front 3/4 view
  • Space Grease rear 3/4 view
    Space Grease rear 3/4 view
  • Space Grease rear view
    Space Grease rear view
  • Space Grease front detail
    Space Grease front detail
  • Space Grease right side detail
    Space Grease right side detail
  • Space Grease left side detail
    Space Grease left side detail
  • Space Grease flame detail
    Space Grease flame detail
  • Space Grease dashboard detail
    Space Grease dashboard detail

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.
  • Kraken shelves 3/4 view
    Kraken shelves 3/4 view
  • Kraken shelves installed
    Kraken shelves installed
  • Kraken shelves bottom detail
    Kraken shelves bottom detail
  • Kraken shelves top detail
    Kraken shelves top detail
  • Kraken shelves with Colin
    Kraken shelves with Colin
  • shrunken head 1
    shrunken head 1
  • shrunken head 2
    shrunken head 2
  • shrunken head 3
    shrunken head 3
  • shrunken head group
    shrunken head group

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!
  • Demon Rotor
    Demon Rotor
    Rotor with carved flames. Demon head fabricated and carved steel.
  • Demon Rotor side
    Demon Rotor side
  • Eagle Rotor
    Eagle Rotor
    Rotor with carved wings. Eagle head fabricated and carved steel.
  • Eagle Rotor side
    Eagle Rotor side
  • Octo Rotor
    Octo Rotor
    Rotor with carved tentacles. Fabricated and carved steel face in center. Steel cage with brushed brass finish.
  • Osto Rotor side
    Osto Rotor side
  • Tiki Rotor
    Tiki Rotor
    Rotor with carved hibiscus flowers. Tiki is fabricated and carved steel with a brushed brass finish.
  • Tiki Rotor side
    Tiki Rotor side
  • Process 1
    Process 1
    Brake rotor with design drawn on in soapstone
  • Process 2
    Process 2
    Raw 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

  • jubyap front
    jubyap front
  • jubyap side
    jubyap side
  • jubyap back
    jubyap back
  • jubyap side
    jubyap side
  • jubyap profile
    jubyap profile
  • jubyap spine detail
    jubyap spine detail
  • jubyap hand and book detail
    jubyap hand and book detail
  • jubyap flame detail
    jubyap flame detail
  • jubyap fur detail
    jubyap fur detail
  • jubyap with artist
    jubyap with artist

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
  • telperion full piece
    telperion full piece
  • telperion lower half
    telperion lower half
  • telperion upper half
    telperion upper half
  • telperion branch detail
    telperion branch detail
  • telperion branch detail
    telperion branch detail
  • telperion branch detail
    telperion branch detail
  • telperion snake detail
    telperion snake detail
  • telperion bottom detail
    telperion bottom detail
  • telperion with artist for scale
    telperion with artist for scale

50 C-Horsepower

2019
Forged, fabricated, and carved steel. Auto parts. Ash
45" tall , weighs 50 pounds
  • IMG_1822.jpg
    IMG_1822.jpg
  • IMG_1830.jpg
    IMG_1830.jpg
  • IMG_1848.jpg
    IMG_1848.jpg
  • IMG_1847.jpg
    IMG_1847.jpg
  • IMG_1845.jpg
    IMG_1845.jpg
  • IMG_1855.jpg
    IMG_1855.jpg
  • IMG_1841.jpg
    IMG_1841.jpg

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.

  • 2018-10-01 18.19.48.jpg
    2018-10-01 18.19.48.jpg
  • 2018-10-01 18.22.56.jpg
    2018-10-01 18.22.56.jpg
    Please click on image to view in proper orientation
  • 2018-10-01 18.32.42.jpg
    2018-10-01 18.32.42.jpg
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  • 2018-10-01 18.34.24.jpg
    2018-10-01 18.34.24.jpg
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  • 2018-10-01 18.23.11.jpg
    2018-10-01 18.23.11.jpg
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  • 2018-10-01 18.21.16.jpg
    2018-10-01 18.21.16.jpg
  • 2018-10-01 18.21.35.jpg
    2018-10-01 18.21.35.jpg
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  • 2018-10-01 18.24.07.jpg
    2018-10-01 18.24.07.jpg
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  • 2018-10-01 18.28.12.jpg
    2018-10-01 18.28.12.jpg
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  • 2018-10-01 18.25.28.jpg
    2018-10-01 18.25.28.jpg
    Please 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.
  • Differential Diver 3/4 view
    Differential Diver 3/4 view
    Finished sculpture
  • DD process
    DD process
    Finished head sculpt being fitted in the differential. Beginning to shape the octopus.
  • DD process 2
    DD process 2
    Fabricating the bronze window trim. Finished head and octopus before having its legs bent to their final positions in the background.
  • Differential Diver front view
    Differential Diver front view
    Finished sculpture as viewed from the front.
  • Differential Diver back view
    Differential Diver back view
    Finished sculpture as viewed from the back.
  • Differential Diver octopus detail
    Differential Diver octopus detail
    The finished octopus attacking the Diver.
  • Differential Diver mask closed detail
    Differential Diver mask closed detail
    A closer look at the bronze front window. It opens by unscrewing the tiny wing nut on the left.
  • Differential Diver mask open detail
    Differential Diver mask open detail
    The head began as a hollow steel ball. A bit of forging, then a lot of build up welds and carving.
  • Differential Diver head 3/4 view
    Differential Diver head 3/4 view
  • Differential Diver side window detail
    Differential Diver side window detail
    A 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.
  • Billy Brain Bucket side view
    Billy Brain Bucket side view
    Finished sculpture as viewed from the side.
  • BBB process
    BBB process
    Helmet carved from a steel hemisphere.
  • BBB process 2
    BBB process 2
    Toes carved out of 1" diameter steel bar.
  • BBB process 3
    BBB process 3
    Head and arms complete, working on the t-shirt.
  • Billy Brain Bucket front view
    Billy Brain Bucket front view
    Finished sculpture as viewed from the front.
  • Billy Brain Bucket head detail
    Billy Brain Bucket head detail
    The helmet flips open to reveal the brain.
  • Billy Brain Bucket club cut detail
    Billy Brain Bucket club cut detail
    Carved patches on the back of the vest.
  • Billy Brain Bucket springer detail
    Billy Brain Bucket springer detail
    Springer style front forks.
  • Billy Brain Bucket leg detail
    Billy Brain Bucket leg detail
    The toes pictured previously are now poking through the boot. The legs were pieces of steel pipe.
  • Billy Brain Bucket base detail
    Billy Brain Bucket base detail
    Interaction 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"
  • monkey-build-15.jpg
    monkey-build-15.jpg
  • monkey-build-23.jpg
    monkey-build-23.jpg
  • monkey-side.jpg
    monkey-side.jpg
  • monkey-build-22.jpg
    monkey-build-22.jpg
  • monkey-pot.jpg
    monkey-pot.jpg
  • monkey-pipe-hand.jpg
    monkey-pipe-hand.jpg
  • wood chopper 3/4
    wood chopper 3/4
  • wood chopper side
    wood chopper side
  • wood chopper back
    wood chopper back
  • wood chopper detail
    wood chopper detail