CathyOrnamentals: Tom Elfers, Sculpturer
December 14th 2010 14:30
Link: ornametals1.com
Tom Elfers, Sculpturer, Artist
Arboretum Holly Orbs
Midnight Memorial
Tom Elfers
Story behind Sculpture:
Commissioned sculpture made as a memorial. All forged steel and stainless steel.
The objects in the chest of Midnight are Forged steel Hearts made by the parents
and friends.
I Thought I would add the Story behind midnight since i had inquires about it.
The story behind Midnight. I was commissioned by the parents of a student at a local High School to create a memorial for their son. Their son was an A
student, on the football and wrestling team, had a great family, good friends,
but apparently that was not enough to stop him from taking his own life. The dog "Midnight" was his best friend, stayed by his side whenever possible and spent weeks crying and looking up to the sky after the son died. Hence the memorial being a statue of his Best Friend. After I started the sculpture I decided to invite the parents of the boy and his friends to my studio to help build the memorial. It was a Very tying time as ther were many tears and just as many stories which led to more tears. The friends helped me with the outside of the sculpture and I taught the Parents and the Friends how to Forge hearts out of steel and we welded them into the chest of Midnight. We left two of the hearts out of the sculpture, one steel and one larger stainless steel, when I sent the sculpture off for Powder Coating (Black). When the sculpture came back I welded the stainless steel and the uncoated steel heart into Midnight.
The Stainless steel heart would remain the same as a representation of the boys love of his dog and the unfinished steel heart would rust and turn red, representing the dogs love of her lost friend.
The memorial now is permanantly installed in a courtyard area of the Son's High School as a reminder to anyone that sees her, that when you "Leave" it is those left behind that do all the suffering. I know it's sad but it was one of my most rewarding projects.
Bio:
Tom Elfers, founder and creator of Ornametals and Finer Welding lives in the foothills of North Carolina with his wife, Michelle and fourteen year old son,
Austin. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Tom has always been drawn to the mountains.
Tom graduated from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and has spent the
last 23 years exploring all avenues and mediums of art. From graphic arts to
dimensional signs, stone carving, drawing, painting and sculpting, Tom has found his passion in creating extraordinary metal designs. "Metal is forgiving, it allows me to design, shape and perfect a creation that can last for hundreds if not thousands of years."
Ornametals and Finer Welding is the result of years of creative exploration,
one of the only full service ornamental iron work companies in Western North
Carolina.
Ornametals offers complete Entrance Design, Fabrication and Installation of
one-of-a-kind Custom Gates (including full automation with security devices for any size entrance), Stone Columns, Landscaping, Water Features and Signage.
Tom also has a unique ability to create Sculptures, Wall Designs and Art just by listening to his clients' ideas hence his motto, "We Fabricate Your
Imagination". Please check out our web site at www.ornametals1.com
Ornametals and Finer Welding, Inc.
828-288-3001
ornametals@bellsouth.net
www.ornametals1.com
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