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Large Scale Foldforming With Linda Leviton - Part II

8/27/2015

Linda Leviton recently taught a workshop on large scale foldforming at the Cultural Arts Center in Columbus, OH. Not only is Linda a brilliant local artist, but she also won Honorable Mention and two Jurors' Choice nominations in the 2015 Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition, a global event for metal artists. Learn more in Part I of this story.

Today we'll take a closer look at the sculpture Linda brought to class as an example for her students (right). She used scored line folds or scoring & bending to create dramatic 3-D forms from flat sheet metal.

Scored Line Folds

The idea behind the scored line fold is to weaken the sheet metal where you want to fold it. A quick, low tech way to achieve this is by pressing or hammering hard wire into the sheet. The wire will thin out the sheet metal where it makes contact, creating a line that will bend under pressure after it's annealed. This technique is especially helpful for curved folds.

Shape and secure the wire

Watch as Linda explains how the curve of the wire affects the results, and shows how to secure the wire to the sheet before hammering.

Make an impression

After the wire is curved and taped down, cover your anvil surface or steel bench block with leather and place the piece on top. Using a slightly domed hammer, pound along the wire until it is evenly indented into the metal.

When you've hammered enough, the wire track will be clearly visible on the opposite side but won't have cut through. There is a little trial and error as you learn when to stop. Later if the line you made in this step is slightly too thin for structural integrity, melt some solder along the inside of the fold to reinforce it.

Reclaimed leather

A note about leather

Get creative about your leather sources! Linda salvaged this piece from a discarded couch-- great idea. You might find an old leather jacket, large handbag, or even a long leather skirt at a local second hand store.

Linda's slightly domed hammer

Cut and bend

In this clip, Linda cuts around the line left by her wire and bends the piece. Notice how the final form can be manipulated into the shape you want.

The finished product

Meet some of the Students

The students in this workshop were on fire! Take a look at some pics and video clips, and see for yourself.

So there you have it-- a spectacular class taught by Linda Leviton at the Cultural Arts Center in Columbus, OH this past June. Do you have experience with this technique or with the Cultural Arts Center in Columbus? I'd love to hear from you so please leave me a comment below!

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Large Scale Foldforming with Linda Leviton - PART I

8/14/2015

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In late June of this year, the Cultural Arts Center here in Columbus, OH hosted a four-day workshop on foldforming. Intrigued by its focus on creating larger scale works, I visited the class for a few hours to interview the class and snap some pics for this story. The instructor was Linda Leviton, a talented local artist who creates commissioned metal installations for spaces like corporate atriums, hospitals, and universities. To set the stage... I didn't realize at the time that Linda had submitted three pieces for consideration in the 2015 Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition.

And how did that turn out? In a unanimous decision, from among entries submitted by artists in Aruba, Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland, and the U.S. -- ALL of Linda's pieces were recognized by the jury.

Who judged her work? The 2015 jurors are all leaders in the international metal arts community; Charles Lewton-Brain, Artist Goldsmith and Foldforming Pioneer, Hazel Wheaton, Editor of Art Jewelry magazine, and Dr. Hanuman Aspler, Owner / Co-Founder of The Ganoksin Project. No small accomplishment -- congrats, Linda!

Here they are! Enjoy -- and then scroll down to get some tips from Linda's foldforming workshop.

Jurors' Choice 2015
“Eve's Leaves” (4.2 ft x 2 ft x 10 in) copper

Honorable Mention 2015
“Animal Vegetable Mineral”
(2.3 ft x 2 ft x 3 in)
copper, patina

Jurors' Choice 2015
“Shades of Green”
(6 ft x 6 ft x 1 ft)
copper, wood, patina, dye, paint photo by Jerry Anthony

Linda's four-day foldforming workshop at the Cultural Arts Center (CAC) in Columbus, OH, was a well-attended, high energy event. I collected lots of great images, videos, and tips to share. These are some pics of Linda and her students.

Large Scale Foldforming

Linda Leviton at the Cultural Arts Center

TIPS to Share

Let's start with some of Linda's general tips and work our way to foldforming.

Paint on metal

There are so many ways to apply color to metal that sometimes we overlook the basics!

Linda often uses oil or acrylic paint. This gives her complete control over the final color and design.

Her trick? She applies automotive self-etching primer first, to prepare the metal surface for paint.

Re-think your shears

These vertical shears are new to me so it helped to see them in action. What a great angle for cutting metal.

Modify shears to save time

Use a belt sander to smooth the cutting edges of your sheers. They will leave smoother edges on your metal, reducing the sanding your pieces require after cutting.

Braze components together to create a larger work

In this video, Linda creates a flower by attaching a copper stem to a foldformed Heistad Cup. She uses brazing rod from a welders' supply outlet -- or in this case, from a junkyard!

Many of us working in small metals are familiar only with silver and gold solder. Brazing rod is a great solution for connecting copper pieces in a large work.

Create templates for multiples

Linda's roots are in quilting, an art form that often calls for assembling many small components into a large pattern. This design sensibility transfers well to her large scale metal installations. Linda's work is often based on patterns and repetition of smaller shapes.

Listen as she explains how she creates a template for her components and then creates multiples that match.

Quick Note About The Cultural Arts Center (CAC) in Columbus OHIO

Cultural Arts Center, Columbus OH

Let's take a moment for a brief public service announcement for my local friends. So many Columbus folks have never heard of the Cultural Arts Center and really must check it out.

When I signed up for my first class at the CAC about five years ago, I drove by it twice before even checking the address. Why? Because the class was so inexpensive -- well under $100 for eight 3-hour sessions -- I was expecting a run-down urban disaster running on a shoestring!

Instead, the CAC might just be the best kept secret in Columbus. Subsidized by the city, the facility is an artist's dream-- diverse, well-stocked, and expertly staffed. They offer classes in the visual arts... metal, clay, painting, fiber, and more. Kristi Kloss runs the small metals program and she really knows her stuff!

Let's pause here and do this story in a couple of parts. There is so much great video to share and we're getting a little data-heavy for a blog post. Please check back for part II in a few days, ok?

All my best,
Sue

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2015 Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition RESULTS

8/5/2015

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RESULTS: 2015 Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition

Time to begin planning your submission for next year!

SECOND PLACE
“The Hoshen” by Ira Sherman
(Torah Hoshen Breast Plate: 18 in x 10 in x 2.5 in / 45.7 cm x 25.4 cm x 6.4 cm; sterling silver, semi-precious gemstones)

THIRD PLACE
“Honeycomb Bracelet” by Christina Brandewie
(Bracelet: 3 in x 1 in / 7.6 cm x 2.5 cm; sterling silver, 18K yellow gold plated)

FIRST PLACE
“Stovchen III” by Dan Lippitt
(Tea Warmer: 6.5 in x 4.5 in /16.5 cm x 11.4 cm; sterling silver)

HONORABLE MENTION
“Animal Vegetable Mineral” by Linda Leviton
(Wall Sculpture: 28 in x 25 in x 3 in / 71 cm x 63.5 cm x 7.6 cm; copper, patina)

2015 WINNERS

FIRST PLACE: Dan Lippitt, Madison, WI, U.S.
“Stovchen III” (6.5 in x 4.5 in) (16.5 cm x 11.4 cm) sterling silver

SECOND PLACE: Ira Sherman, www.irasherman.com, Denver, CO, U.S.
“The Hoshen” (18 in x 10 in x 2.5 in) (45.7 x 25.4 x 6.4 cm) sterling silver and semi-precious gemstones

THIRD PLACE: Christina Brandewie, www.cabbjewelry.com, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.
“Honeycomb Bracelet” (3 in x 1 in) (7.6 cm x 2.5 cm) sterling silver, 18K yellow gold plated

HONORABLE MENTION: Linda Leviton, lindaleviton.com, Lewis Center, OH, U.S.
“Animal Vegetable Mineral” (28 in x 25 in x 3 in) (71 cm x 63.5 cm x 7.6 cm) copper, patina

2015 Jurors' Choice Selections
Jurors' Choice In alphabetical order...

Melody Armstrong, www.melodyarmstrong.com, Regina, Saskatchewan, CA
“Vulva Ring” (2.7 cm x 4.1 cm x 2.1 cm) copper, sterling silver

Nick Grant Barnes, www.nickgrantbarnes.com, Silver Spring, MD, U.S.
“Damascus Panel Ring” (Size 5) 18k gold, Damascus steel, diamond
“Green Amethyst Solitaire” (Size 11) 18K rose, 14kw, green amethyst
Photos by David Terao

Holly Carter, hollycarterart.com, Richmond, CA, U.S.
“Facets” (16 in x 11 in x 11 in) (40.6 cm x 27.9 cm x 27.9 cm) pewter, acrylic, aluminum

John M. Cohea, jmcknives.blademakers.com, Nettleton, MS, U.S.
“Vest Knife” (8 in x 2 in) (20.3 cm x 5 cm) Damascus steel, copper, fused silver, mokume gane, garnets, leather, rawhide
Photos by Scott A. Roush

Melissa Davenport, Scottdale, PA, U.S.
“Vase” (6 in x 3 in x 1.5 in) (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm x 3.8 cm) sterling silver

Chelsea Dyck, www.mycreativework.ca, Calgary, Alberta, CA
“Colours of the Seasons Collar” (7 in x 7 in) (17.8 cm x 17.8 cm) niobium, sterling silver

Wendy Edsall-Kerwin, www.hammerstrokeandfire.com, Elizabethtown, PA, U.S.
“Cascade” (5.75 in x 6.75 in x 7 in) (14.6 cm x 17.1 cm x 17.7 cm) bronze, nickel, brass

Angela Fung, www.angelafung.net/paperartist, Hassocks, U.K.
“Origami Sculpture” (50 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm) laser cut stainless steel

Kerye Hartzell, artkeryeleigh.com, Richmond, TX, U.S.
“Origami Lily” (38 in x 21.5 in x 4.5 in) (96.5 cm x 54.6 cm x 11.4 cm) copper, alcohol ink

Deborah Jemmott, www.debjemmott.com, San Marcos, CA, U.S.
“Blue Bowl” (5 in x 5 in x 2 in) (12.7 cm x 12.7 cm x 5 cm) steel

Denys Knight, www.accidentalhammer.com, Bonners Ferry, ID, U.S.
“Floribunda” (13 in x 11 in) (33 cm x 27.9 cm framed) copper

Goran Konjevod, organicorigami.com, Livermore, CA, U.S.
“Shell” (4 in x 5 in x 4 in) (10.1 cm x 12.7 cm x 10.1 cm) copper

Ellen Krieger, www.ellenkriegerjewelry.com, McLean, VA, U.S.
“Caesar's Salad” (2 in x 6.5 in) (5 cm x 16.5 cm) copper, fine silver, silver foil, enamel, amazonite cabachon
Photos by David Terao

Ed Lay, www.edlay.info, El Cerrito, CA, U.S.
“FF Bowl #7” (8.5 in x 6.5 in x 3.5 in) (21.6 cm x 16.5 cm x 8.9 cm) copper, vitreous enamel

Linda Leviton, lindaleviton.com, Lewis Center, OH, U.S.
“Eve's Leaves” (4.2 ft x 2 ft x 10 in) (127 cm x 60.9 cm x 25.4 cm) copper
“Shades of Green” (6 ft x 6 ft x 1 ft) (1.8 m x 1.8 m x 30.5 cm) copper, wood, patina, dye, paint; photos by Jerry Anthony

Daniel Lippitt, Madison, WI, U.S.
“Candleholder” measures w/o candle (3.75" x 1.75") (9.5 cm x 4.4 cm) copper, enamel, wax candle

Louise Mary Muttitt, www.louisemarydesigns.co.uk, Burton upon Trent, U.K.
“Sugar Sifting Spoon” (15 cm long) sterling silver
“Twist Candlestick” (25 cm x 21 cm) Britannia Silver

Sher Novak, www.shernovak.com, Albany, CA, U.S.
“Autumn Leaves Necklace” (10.5 in x 10 in) (26.7 cm x 25.4 cm) copper, patina, leather cord
“Vine Necklace” (9 in x 8 in) (22.8 cm x 20.3 cm) fine silver, garnet, 18K gold bezel
Photos by George Post

Stella Rose Powell, www.silverfallsjewelry.com, Bend, OR, U.S.
“Beyond the Garden Gate Collection Earrings” (1.75 in x 1.5 in) (4.4 cm x 3.8 cm) 18K, sterling silver bimetal
“Beyond the Garden Gate Collection Necklace” (1 3/8 in x 1.5 in) (3.5 cm x 3.8 cm) 18k/ss bimetal, freshwater pearl

Bradley Sanders, www.bradleysandersart.com, Shepherdstown, WV, U.S.
“Rebecca the Blue Heron” (38 in x 20 in) (96.5 cm x 50.8 cm) copper, iron, patina

Hendrik Schouten, St.Cruz, Aruba
“Anemoon” (19 cm x 19 cm x 9 cm) copper, ammonia patina
Photos by Christian Schouten

Kest Schwartzman, www.vagabondmetalworks.com, Frederick, MD, U.S.
“Guardian” mask (24 in x 18 in x 10in) (60.9 cm x 45.7 cm x 25.4 cm) copper