The winners of the annual Metal My Way competition, designed to highlight versatility and craftsmanship in metalworking, fabricating, and design, were recently announced by a Toronto-based company last November. Angellos Glaros’ sculpture, “Blue Heron,” emerged as the grand prize recipient from a pool of 870 entries worldwide.
Drawing Inspiration from Metal
Residing and operating in Nanaimo, B.C., Glaros is the owner of [ppp1] in the area. While he spent his formative years in southern Ontario, his passion for the arts led him to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where he honed his skills in working with marble and clay.
Following his college years, Glaros delved into woodworking, broadening his artistic and business acumen. A shift to finishing work in the late ‘90s due to an injury marked a pivotal moment in his career trajectory. Subsequently, he established his woodworking enterprise, eventually inaugurating his personal studio in 2000. Specializing in crafting wooden furniture and sculpting animals, trees, and human figures, Glaros showcased his diverse talents.
It was around 2008, during a visit to a metal artist’s studio, that Glaros found his inspiration to venture into working with mild steel.
Recalling the experience, Glaros shared, “The artist was intricately crafting an oak tree motif, complete with leaves and acorns, showcasing remarkable detail. I was profoundly inspired and immediately procured a welder to embark on my journey of learning.”
Presently equipped with two welding power sources, two plasma cutters, an anvil, a power hammer, and a 6-ton fly press, Glaros has established a well-equipped workspace.
Embracing the Essence of the Natural World
One distinguishing aspect of Glaros’ work is his ability to imbue metal creations with an organic, lifelike aesthetic. For instance, he has fashioned railings resembling tree branches and a shaker-style dining table base that mimics a tree stump.
Describing his process, Glaros explained, “I initially shape the metal using a power hammer. In the case of the railings, I heat the pipe to a cherry red hue and employ the power hammer to taper the ends, resulting in folds that emulate a natural appearance. Subsequently, I apply weld beads along its length, filling certain folds to achieve the desired shape. Following this, I meticulously grind and sand the piece, utilizing a sanding flap wheel to attain the perfect texture and smoothness.”
While the texture is predominantly refined through grinding, the finishing phase plays an equally crucial role in his creations.
“At this stage, I subject the piece to a chemical bath, meticulously adjusting the color to my specifications,” he elaborated. “Subsequently, I apply an automotive finish for outdoor pieces, enhancing its longevity. This particular finish has proven to be the most effective in preserving the integrity of the artwork when displayed outdoors.”
Each feature of the “Blue Heron” sculpture was meticulously crafted, with Glaros employing a die grinder to carve out individual elements and create intricate feather patterns. The finishing touches involved blending the components with a flap-wheel sander.
Crafting the “Blue Heron”
The meticulous crafting of the “Blue Heron” sculpture, including the intricate detailing of the bird’s neck, was a labor-intensive process.
“I commenced with a smooth 12-gauge mild steel pipe and meticulously shaped it using a die grinder,” he recounted.
Elaborating on the feather detailing, Glaros shared, “I meticulously cut out each feather and utilized a die grinder to etch intricate lines, subsequently employing a flap-wheel sander to blend the elements seamlessly. To impart a curved effect, each feather was individually pressed using a fly press.”
Utilizing an armature for the body facilitated a seamless flow of the finish across the feathers’ back. For the wings, a basic armature at the leading edge was employed to convey a sense of lightness.
The intricate layering of feathers posed a significant challenge for Glaros, particularly in ensuring a uniform finish across all surfaces. To address this, he pre-treated each feather individually before welding to safeguard against environmental impact.
“To achieve the desired color variations, I subjected the sculpture to controlled torching,” Glaros explained. “For instance, the beak underwent a gradual heating process to attain the final dark gray hue, while the feathers required a more delicate touch to achieve subtle color differentials.”
The completion of the sculpture demanded approximately 450 hours of painstaking effort. While considering “Blue Heron” as his most intricate and accomplished piece to date, Glaros remains committed to continual growth and learning.
The sculptor envisions exploring the depiction of the human face in his future works, aiming to expand his artistic horizons.
Encouraging aspiring artists, Glaros emphasized the importance of observational skills and continuous practice. “Irrespective of your chosen medium, engaging in life-drawing classes and regular sketching exercises is invaluable. It’s all about training your eyes to perceive reality accurately, transcending preconceived notions,” he advised.