Garden Bench Sculpture Build It!In this 3rd of a 5 part series titled Garden Bench Sculpture, my metal garden bench project, we will discuss some of the obstacles I encountered and ways I found to solve the problem once the sculpture and bench construction began. The first thing I worked out was how the sculpture would come together. This would determine the final size and any adjustments needed for the dimensions of the bench frame. 
© Sage Garden Style I found the torching of metal to be one of the most challenging yet satisfying art processes I have ever tried. The torch was held in a vise and heated to a red hot center (too much makes it brittle though) making the metal loose and fluid in a way that enables manipulation into almost any shape. I twisted and turned the metal to my desired shape with the use of a set of plyers. I takes some practice to get into the rhythm but the results are so rewarding. By the way, in the above photo, I am not wearing gloves, I only had them off for a moment to adjust the flow of the torch, and I don't recommend going without them-It is very easy to get burned. Also-always wear protective eyewear. 
© Sage Garden Style Once the componants of the garden bench sculpture were bent and twisted to my satisfaction, I began playing with them to arrange in a way that would seem natural and somewhat flexible using steel-a very inflexible medium. That was a challenge but also where I saw the most opportunity for artistic application. With some help from a fellow artist, it began to take shape. Figuring out how to keep it held in place securely to weld was another matter. After attempting to clamp it from every imaginable angle just to watch the pieces fall into themselves over and over from the weight of the steel was frustrating. On a visit to a metal supplier, browsing the aisles, I had a eureka moment and a solution. I have to say, one of the most amazing tools I found there were a set of magnets in a triangular shape. These handy tools held my floral design in place so that I could weld the pieces in a loose form in keeping with my design idea for the floral sculpture. 
© Sage Garden Style This photo shows what the floral sculpture looked like nearly completed. Each leaf and stem needed to be individually welded to the base plate and to each other and even with the magnets in place to stabilize them it was a tedious process- but worthwhile! See part 4 for more :)
© Sage Garden Style
Project Notes: Garden Bench Construction Part 4 of 5
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