Artist Info & Bio
[In process of updating to more succinct yet thorough form...]
The purpose of my art is to bring a little oasis from the Arizona desert here to wherever a fountain or art may go, enhancing your space and bringing relaxation and enjoyment to you and others. To that end I try to have very diverse selection of artwork to choose from. Throughout this website you will find this love of diversity reflected in a variety of thematic artwork.
I began teaching myself to work in copper in 2004, and I have been working away with it since. A lot of artwork was initially made from my own interests and then a lot of work was made to help people bring their ideas to life... some were and are a combination of the two. I think art made individually is never done alone since it is inspired by so many other things, ideas and other people's work. Often art is an individual process as much as it is symbiotic one, or both, and certainly it is always meant to be shared and appreciated by others however it is created.
I work entirely by hand with basic tools. Everything is started in the imagination and then put to paper, making/drawing templates for use on the metal; followed by hand cutting with metal shears; shaping with bending, hammering; refining with further shaping and sanding... more than half the work is done before I get to the welding, whereupon it is then Brazed (a form of welding) with oxygen-acetylene flame systems, and then potentially further refined with the aforementioned hand shaping processes if need be.
The main technique I use for the decorative sculpture is Repoussé and Chasing. In between a lot of this, done in separate stages, color is produced on the copper from chemical reactions using gentle specialty acids or torch flame effects to change the color of the copper on certain areas and parts of the design. Often this patina is added or sometimes left to naturally develop over time... It is all a lot of work and a labor of love to create something beautiful and/or interesting that is also, by virtue of the material and crafting process, a very lasting artwork or product.
My copper art is inspired by a love of nature in all its forms. The constant, tranquil and soothing flow of a water feature is half the art, and I strive to create pieces that appeal to all of the senses in some way.
Most of my life has been spent in Arizona but I'm originally from Guam; my early childhood having been around much of the Pacific Ocean, though mostly near the Central and South American regions, all of which fostered a love for water that has been translated into primarily making copper water fountains and sculptures -- though I also enjoy creating in some other artistic mediums too, if and when time permits. At an early age I began drawing, painting, and sculpting in clay, followed later by many other creative endeavors and out lets, that all combine and continue to develop and help me cultivate my artwork further... Being a company of one person and a single parent too, I stay quite busy.
Some of my other ambient artistic penchants can also be seen beneath the photo collage.
Thank you for visiting the website and viewing my work!
Sincerely,
Joseph Ward
Waterfall Project from July 2020.
Pictured on a sailboat, circa 1979-80
No matter how difficult it seems, never give up on your dreams.
A floral 20 spout custom fountain project completed in a bowl 6ft. dia. x 360mm tall. (Bowl and all flower water spouts)
Photo from 2004 with a couple of the first pieces of copper art I worked on...
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Thank you Mom and Dad...
The desert scene painting is the first painting on "canvas" I ever tried; and made when I was 16 years old. I can draw, paint and sculpt in realism, but lest the time for it, and liking all forms, I diversify in thematic representations of various art styles... Nature inspires most of the art here, with a little extra fondness for the desert and the ocean
...older picture of little ones...
Sharing Art is an Benefit to All
Did you know most Art Festivals around the country are non-profit and in various ways, dedicated to enriching and improving the lives of those in their community? From helping to fund scholarship programs for youths for assistance with attaining higher education, to providing extra services to Military Veterans, to ecological conservation to... well, the list goes on and on. Often, many non-profits do fundraising galas with silent auctions and/or raffles to generate funds for their organization. I'm always astounded and inspired by the amazing amount of so many, many people and companies who do so much to help others: Many hands make light work!
I will always feel fortunate to get to be a professional artist, and equally so, both graciously inspired and humbled to get to use my art at times to help contribute a little bit toward such endeavors. With so many going on, I gear my efforts toward helping children and animals (with an ecological framework in mind) both of which are not only nearest and dearest to all-- and children are also the "ones" among us whose voices and aspirations, hold the least ability to herald their own ascension... thus my chosen concentration; a by-product of which I hope inspires my own children...
Looking forward the aim is to further cultivate this concept. It is also a component of a business model many individuals, companies and/or corporations employ - and employ in many varied ways depending on the point of view it is gazed on from, of which there are many... Given that art is an ambient part of life, my company aims to someday try to be as good too. And as the saying goes, "every journey begins with a single step"... these leave footprints leading to a destination... Having been a recipient of generosity many a time before, I'm just trying to do what little part I can to contribute to the overall enhancement of life for others. Eventually, as a solid component of my business plan and model, Copper Phoenix Art will have a fund for such endeavors.
As always and nevertheless, I hope each piece of art brings enjoyment and relaxation to you and others, but I also want to highlight that such efforts to allow art to benefit others beyond the feeling's art (such as fountains) can evoke -- that, in addition to this tranquility aspect -- I want all my customers (past and present) to know that this heartfelt aspiration of mine, cannot and is not achieved alone:
Thank you for your support in word, thought, deed - or any combination thereof!
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Sincerely,
Joseph Ward
A Great State of Copper Summary
Here is a link to an excellent article on copper and copper in Arizona. It conveys a lot of necessary information in an exceptionally concise and engaging manner, and I highly recommend reading it.
Copper is not just a family endeavor for some: be it State, Company, or other means... It is an endeavor that benefits everyone, everywhere.
In my humble opinion, art is rightfully the least among uses of copper, yet art, along with copper, has always been intrinsic to the development and innovation of technologies... and continues to inspire us all in countless ways.
Visit the "About Copper" Page to Learn More
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