I met with a couple that moved into their apartment, but had little time to decorate. With a limited budget, we discussed how we could accessorize their home to make it look more pulled together and incorporate cultural themes and color. What I discovered in meeting with them was a treasure of materials they had on hand – specifically colorful saris. I like the idea of adding window treatments, pillows, bedding and even framed wall art from the colorful cloth.

Michael Daniel

This month we are pleased to feature Michael Daniel in our series Art Apothecary.  Michael, who has been working as a metal artist for nearly two decades, designs and fabricates metal work for the trade, retail buyers and individuals. He works with architects and interior designers to create pieces that range from large-scale installations to decoration and furniture for residences and stores and other businesses.

EHD: You’ve been working as a metal artist since 1993. Can you provide some background on how you arrived at your craft? Were you an apprentice?

MD: I took a rather indirect route to metal sculpting and furniture design.   Several years ago when I was living in Chicago, I started taking found objects like metal shopping carts and old tractor seats, and transforming them into functional pieces. The tractor seat barstool, which I have refined and modified over the years, is one of my first designs from this period.

After creating these found object pieces, I knew I wanted to work with metal, but I didn’t have the background; I didn’t know how to weld.  In 1992 I moved to New York and took a metal sculpting class.  During that first class I knew that metal sculpting and design was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.  I spent the next few years teaching myself the craft and developing my own style and technique.  I began working full time as a metal designer and sculptor in 1996.

EHD: Why metal as opposed to wood, glass or other material?

MD: There aren’t a lot of people who use only metal in furniture making.  Although I use various materials that complement metal, such as glass and wood, I always try to use as much metal as possible.  Some people think metal is a cold and sterile material, but I find it to be quite the opposite.  Metal can be very warm and beautiful depending on how you treat or patina it.

EHD: Take us through the process. How do you go from concept to finished product? And how long does it take?

MD: I usually start with a sketch of an idea, which I then refine into a drawing. I take the drawing into my studio and start by going through my steel rack and looking at different shapes and sizes to figure out what I think would work best for the design. After I’ve selected the steel, then I start cutting, welding and shaping the metal into the look that I’m trying to achieve.  Length of process really depends on the complexity of the design.

EHD: What types of metal do you work with?

MD: Mainly steel because I do a lot of different patina finishes on metal. I also work with stainless, bronze, and aluminum.

EHD: What is the most interesting piece of furniture or sculpture you’ve been asked to fabricate and why?

MD: There are so many pieces over the years that I have designed and fabricated that I love.  One of my all time favorites is the Flip Clock that I designed, and for which I have a patent. One of my recent favorites is the Ceruse Dining Room Table.  As you walk around this table, the shape of the legs appears to change because of the design.

EHD: Tell us about your metal classes and why do you offer it?

MD:  I teach the basics of metal sculpting on steel. Students learn how to Arc weld, Mig weld, and use oxy-acetylene torches to heat, cut, bend and braze steel. I also teach students how to use power tools that are used in metal working, as well as some basic patina applications.I have a class starting January 24, 2012. I usually offer two sessions in the Fall, Winter and Spring.  I teach because I love what I do and want to share my enthusiasm with other people.

Michael Daniel works at his studio in Long Island City. See some of Michael’s work below:

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Marc Trujillo "200 East Cypress," oil on panel

Black and blue from Black Friday? Here’s something different to consider for Saturday. If you live in or are visiting New York City you should check out a fascinating exhibit at the Hirschl and Adler Modern Gallery. Artist Marc Trujillo has a show of mesmerizing panoramas of American suburbia — epic near-photorealistic paintings of supermarket aisles, shopping mall escalators, and parking garages. You’d think this kind of subject matter would be dripping with snarky irony, but this work is more earnest with only a slight tinge of Edward Hopper melancholy. There’s a bit of whimsy in his overhead still-lifes of his meals at KFC and Taco Bell.

Marc Trujillo, "Meal #2," oil on panel

From New Mexico but now residing in LA, Trujillo develops each painting through a rigorous series of drawing studies, rather than recreating from photos. Once the composition is locked down, he gets to play with the lighting moments of the numerous little narratives and people dotted across the painting. You can see his process here.

Unfortunately, his New York show is only lasting until December 3rd. If you can’t make it in time, be sure to peruse his website, where he gives more insight into his process.

Here are my picks for home, hostess and personal gifts under $30.

1. Aquatic Condo, a modern fish tank available at Chiasso, $28

2. Recycled Wine Bottle Platters, Uncommon Goods, $18

3. Happy Hot Dog Napkin Rings (set of 6), All Modern, $28.09

4. What I’m reading… Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.

5. The ingenious Retro POP Handset by Native Union available in a million colors, Amazon – $29.54

6. Happy Chic Accessorizing, Jonathan Adler, $17.95

7. Bring nature indoors with Shine Labs-Cypress Wall Vase, 2 Modern, $24

8. For the little ones, Ollie & Lime – George Hooded Towel, 2 Modern, $28

9. Three attributes I love – unbreakable, practical, stylish – the Rubber Vase by Menu, Lumens.com, $24

10. A Coloring Book: Drawings by Andy Warhol, Design Within Reach, $19.95

The holidays can be a little tricky for an expectant mom.

Depending upon what stage of pregnancy she’s in, she can’t fit into anything or travel, and those dreaded holiday parties just aren’t the same if she has to be sober. Add to that a little cabin fever during the colder months once her bundle of joy arrives, and you can understand why a little pick-me-up is necessary.

My friend Lori made a thoughtful gesture during my great expectation, and that was in the form of a pre-mama care package. It definitely lifted my spirits and made me feel appreciated. So here are my holiday gift recommendations for the new or expectant mom in your life:

Pre- and post-natal massage. The Great Expectations and Rookie Mom Rub Down treatments available at Bliss World Spa make for a relaxing time at the spa. Get a Bliss Spa E-card instantly here.

Skincare. She will either embrace them and wear her stretchmarks like a badge of honor or do all you she can to get rid of them. A basket of skincare products such as Belli has to contain the all-important stretch mark cream, and are always welcomed during and after pregnancy.

Bump patrol. Is your new or expectant mama is one of those celebrities that gets to work out five minutes after she delivers or is blessed with a body that bounces back to its pre-pregnancy weight? No? Then she might experience the following: venturing out to run an errand a few weeks after giving birth, she encounters a store clerk or stranger who asks, “So when’s your due date?” Enter the belly band, which provides much needed tummy support post-delivery.

Thomas Wold Block Party Bookcase or Basketball Wives Shaunie O’Neal in Nicci Hou?

Fall back with this collection of unique, modern and retro clocks. 

1- Juicy Clocks from Uncommon Goods

2- Recycled JVC Turntable Clock from the Etsy shop pixelthis 

3- A grouping of Mozia clocks by Giovanni Levanta for Diamantini & Domeniconi

4 – Tord Boontje’s Botanist-Free Flowing clock, from 2Modern

Or consider the Optic and Rollie clocks, both available at Chiasso. 

And finally, a collection of my personal faves from industrial designer George Nelson, which have been reissued by Vitra. Available at Velocity Art and Design. 1- Tripod desk clock; 2 – Night desk clock; 3 – Multicolored Ball wall clock; 4- Sunflower, and 5- Ceramic desk clock. 

The work of British artist Rachel Ducker is captivating to say the least. Originally trained as a jeweler, Ducker’s passion for working with metal eventually led to her experiment with sculpting the human form. 

RuPaul in Moods of Norway or PlaidBench Collection by Raw Edges for Dilmos Milano?