We were lucky to catch up with Lyle Adair recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lyle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I started out sculpting copper as a passtime. It began as a way to relieve stress after work, volunteering at a local gallery in exchange for learning the ins and outs of copper design and fabrication. I’d always enjoyed working with my hands and grew up working with wood and found objects. When I was offered an apprenticeship to learn to use a torch on copper, I jumped on the opportunity. Soon after learning the process, I knew I wanted to pursue it professionally. The community I was in worked together on several projects and while the work was labor intensive, there would be lavish celebrations at the conclusion. I was surrounded from the beginning by so many creatives working in various mediums that it inspired my creativity. I sold a few pieces early in my career and knew that I had so much more to offer through sculpture. That was over twenty years ago and I still feel the same way.
Lyle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I sculpt copper for various art galleries, shows, and clients. My copper creations are both free standing and suitable to hang on a wall. I use an oxygen/ acetylene torch to heat copper sheet then cool it down to touch with water. From there, I’m able to hammer both sides with a series of chisels and hammers to create designs in relief. In addition, I’ll fuse or solder copper wire and sometimes pipes or bars to create even more depth. In the last stages, I’ll add different chemicals to create patinas and coat everything with a clear coat to stop the oxidizing process. My copper pieces look gorgeous hanging indoors or out. I enjoy meeting with new clients and designing a custom piece for their home. I’ll meet with them to get an idea of the space and color patterns to work with. We’ll talk about their thoughts for a design and I’ll draw sketches of what I have in mind. Many times, I’m presented with only vague ideas and it’s up to me to interpret those ideas into concrete examples while figuring in how the sculpture will be sized and secured. The design process is one of my favorite tasks as I enjoy making someone’s ideas a reality. The creation can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months depending on the size and scope of the work.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
In order to support the arts, I think the most important thing for a society to do is show up. They need to come out to the shows and galleries and markets around town where artists hang out. Of course sales are important, but so are donations to artist collectives and gallery memberships. Even just attending an open studio and saying a kind word to the artist can do so much to boost and encourage the creative process. As a society, I believe foundations are important in supporting the arts. Cities can support the arts through various funding mechanisms such as public arts displays. Also, financially sponsoring art shows throughout the year and setting aside public lands to display art on both a temporary and permanent basis. Maps and brochures should be printed marking public art displays around the city as well as galleries to visit. The brochures should be available at all city offices and visitors’ centers and more permanent map displays should be present at strategic spaces around town. This will, in turn, encourage tourism in the city.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is standing back at the end of a project and seeing the finished artwork hanging on someone’s wall. I had an opportunity recently to create a custom piece for a client’s new house. I visited with them in their home to see the space intended for the artwork and talk about a design. They were interested in plants and wanted to incorporate some color with the earth tones represented in their home. I designed a four foot ocotillo in relief splashed with verdigris and burnished copper hues. Taking a step back after installing it in their front entryway left me with the rewarding experience that drives my creativity forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: copperbylyle.com
- Instagram: @copperbylyle
Image Credits
Photos by Autumn Adair