22 May
Most of what I’ve done in the past from a steampunk standpoint has been dirigibles or airships. I love doing them and they can be quite different from each other while still maintaining the classic arrangement of envelope and gondola. However, in the gallery where my work is on display for sale, The Artisan’s Bench in Brighton, Michigan, there have been several requests for hot air balloons in the steampunk aesthetic. Well, I finally got to the task of creating one…a sort of maiden voyage, if you will…and here it is.
Maiden voyage
As anyone who knows my work already expects, this piece was made using re-purposed and up-cycled materials that I happened to have or collect.
Gondola close up
The balloon part was the trickiest part…trying to maintain some symmetry without driving myself too crazy. Deciding on how to paint it, what colors, how to patina and antique it, how it would hang, etc.
Balloon close up
All in all, I think it was a success, and apparently, so did the lady who bought it right away and ordered two more!
As always, I encourage comments and dialogue. Drop me a line to ask questions, make suggestions or order a custom piece of your very own!
Stephan J. Smith is the artist and sculptor at Artsmith Craftworks in Swartz Creek, MI. Using recycled and repurposed materials, Stephan builds a myriad of sculpted wonders, including fantastic and whimsical steampunk airships that have amazed and delighted fans for years. A passion for reusing and up-cycling found items into beautiful and amazing art is what drives Stephan to make art that both teaches and inspires. Stephan also does commissioned work and is available to do talks and classes on repurposing/upcycling and may be reached at ArtSmithCraft@yahoo.com or by phone at 810-516-7381.