I always begin with a drawing on paper used as the pattern and guide while I am bending and forming my steel to later weld it (while still on top of the paper). Sometimes I found these burned drawings to be as interesting as the steel works. I used canvas in baths of different colored paints to create a skin like reference and then joined them together. They become like different generations of the same artwork, akin to different stages of life.
"Self Portrait" 2014, fabricated steel, 31" x 29" x 2"
Left: "Burned Slater on Canvas" 2014, (when welded steel on top of drawing catches fire) 52" x 40.5"
Right: "Slater" 2014, fabricated steel, 47" x 37" x 1.5"
Left: "Burned Christian on Canvas" 2014, (when welded steel on top of drawing catches fire) 46" x 36"
Right: "Christian" 2013, fabricated steel, 38" x 31" x 1.5"
Left: "Burned Bertha on Canvas" 2014, (when welded steel on top of drawing catches fire) 47" x 36"
Right: "Bertha" 2013, fabricated steel, 42" x 28" x 2"