I started working on this series in 2013.

October 19, 2017 - I have cast approximately a dozen pieces in the series. I did not cast them in the order that they will be installed. Instead, I started with the last pieces in the series. I am now ready to start applying the patina to the first pieces of the series; however, they have not been poured yet. This forces me to start with the last hat that I have cast: “gust #3."

The abstraction of the shapes of the hats reveals the power of Mother Nature, the patina of each piece outlines the impressions of the human spirit left on the felt.

The Patina Process-

I use a torch to impose a heat energy to the surface of the hat, when the metal glows a deep amber the surface is ready to unveil it’s history. I slowly brush on a ferric patina (a dark beige) and as the fluid darkness evaporates off the bronze evidence of an invested grip by determined fingers surfaces, I layer a white wash and the memories of opportunities missed fade into the folds. Next the ferric reveals unfortunate circumstances suffered during the darkest hours, then white washed with life’s lessons. With each layer the impression of the human spirit tell the story of a life well lived.

Below is the progresss after one evening of applying the patina.