Client: Fantasy Springs Conference Center
Location: Fantasy Springs, CA, United States
Completion date: 2008
Artwork budget: $1,000
Project Team
Artist
Susan McGehee
Metallic Strands
Art Consultant
Francie Kelley
Paragone Gallery
Overview
The designer wanted three woven wire banners, each 12″ x 28″, to be framed in three plexiglas shadow boxes. They were placed in the lobby of the Fantasy Spring Conference Center.
Goals
The designer wanted the pieces to be ancient and southwest in feel, but not copies of Indian art works. Similar materials, anodized and bare aluminum wire and colors of coppers, back and silver unified the pieces.
Process
The designer wanted the pieces to be antique in appearance. This required a patina on the bare aluminum wires. To achieve this I found a method on the internet. I brushed olive oil in spots on the bare wire and baked at 400 degrees in my kitchen oven. It gave a great patina of black and dark brown with silver shining through where oil had not been applied.