Question 1

How are these made?

Accepted Answer

I sculpt each piece entirely by hand, hammering, grinding, and polishing steel to scale to reflect the actual topography of the land. 
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Color and surface texture are added using an entirely natural processes of chemical oxidation, employing over a dozen compounds and hundreds of protocols.  Pieces are copper plated, rusted, and patinated abstractly and no paint ever touches the surface of the metal. 
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The map is brought to a high gloss with a protective coat, and wooden frames are custom crafted for each piece.

Question 2

How large are they?

Accepted Answer

Frames are typically 44" (112cm) on the long end, and weigh up to 35 pounds (16kg), well within the weight limits of proper wall mounting. Smaller dimensions are possible upon request. 
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Question 3

Do you work with commission pieces?

Accepted Answer

Personal commissions are my preferred means of creation. I truly love the feeling of providing a collector with something particularly special to them, and I've produced personalized pieces as large as a mountain range, and as small as a boat marina. Collectors have asked me to produce everything from their family vacation home, to the Italian village where they proposed and I love the challenge of new terrain.

Question 4

Is there currently a wait time to commission a piece?

Accepted Answer

At present, there is approximately a 5 month wait time to have a commissioned piece created, which includes the 1.5 months it actually takes the create and ship the piece. I ask for a small deposit in order to secure a place in line. 
For those buying for a special occassion that falls outside of that window, I provide a smartly designed hard-stock certificate for the purpose of gift presentation, and will be avilable via phone or skype to detail the vision.

Question 5

What's the timing for its creation, once scheduled?"

Accepted Answer

The process typically runs as follows, over the course of 40 days: 
Day 0 - The relationship between a collector and artist should be just that. As such, I start each project with a phone, or when possible, in-person interview. This helps me better understand their personal ties to the geography, the setting in which the artwork will be displayed, and helps me better understand them as a person which guides my creative decisions
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Day 21 - Metal fabrication is complete.  Throughout the artwork’s creation, photos and video of the artwork’s progress will be shared to keep you updated on its progress, engaged in the creative process, and to ensure we see eye-to-eye on its design
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Day 25 to 35 - Oxidation is complete.  Following metal sculpting, nature takes over. I use a series of chemical processes to rust and patina the piece in a way that's personal to the tastes and experiences of the collector. Working with oxidation is entirely unpredictable, which ensures that no similar piece can ever be recreated. 
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Day 35 to 45 - Finishing, fine touches, lighting if elected, framing and shipping are complete, are a tracking number is provided.

Question 6

Do you have any already produced work for sale?

Accepted Answer

Yes, please inquire
 
At present the following locations are fully created and available for purchase: 
 
          National Park WPA Poster Series
                    - Zion National Park
 
          Topographic Series
                    - Nantucket Island, Massachusetts 
                    - Block Island, Rhode Island
                    - Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts 
                    - Boulder Creek, Colorado
                    - Arkansas River (Salida to Buena Vista), Colorado
                    - Boston, Massachusetts
 
...and the following are more than 50% created and available for reserve: 
 
          National Park WPA Poster Series
                    - Yosemite National Park
 
          Topographic Series
                    - Park City Basin, Utah

Question 7

Is custom lighting available?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  The artwork comes with the option to install into the frame, a museum grade track lighting system.  The light emits a warm 2700 Kelvin glow whose power can be modulated by a dimming dial, subtly recessed into the edge of the frame.

Question 8

I'd love to learn more.

Accepted Answer

I'd love to get to know you better. Please email me (mailto:jim@postcardfoods.com?subject=I'd love to learn more about your process)and I'll get back to you with either an answer, or a time we can chat.