Fig. 5 — Local artist Ron Lichtenstein’s sculpture, Sprocket Ball, was on display at the B.O.B., which stands for Big Old Building and is a Grand Rapids landmark. mild steel was GMA welded together with 25% Ar-75% CO2 shielding gas. The sculpture hangs from the ceiling, and features a small ball inside a larger one. The outer ball was built free form. Lichtenstein first built a 30-in.-diameter ring, and then crossed it with another ring to make the initial shape. After welding, he used a grinder with a sanding disc to clean it up. For 39 years, Ron Lichtenstein has run Gallery 154, a Grand Rapids, Mich., consignment gallery with his wife and daughter. As long as Lichtenstein has had the gallery, he has worked with stained glass, and in the last 15 years he picked up welding, metalwork, and silver soldering. Lichtenstein had always wanted to do metalwork, and so he took an adult education class in which he learned the basics over 17 weeks. He said he likes the idea of taking three different metals and making them one. His art often combines stained glass and metalwork. He once made a piece called Box of Dreams, which was a 3D bird cage that had stained glass windows. Aside from his art, Lichtenstein has built practical objects with metal, including chairs, tables, fountains, and clocks. To discover Lichtenstein’s work, visit gallery154.com. Lisa Dionne Lisa Dionne’s ArtPrize piece was inspired by her two sons, who are four and six years old. Livin’ the Dream addresses the joyful feeling of motherhood at the same time as it acknowledges its difficulties. The piece is made of mild steel. Using a GMAW machine, she welded this piece before sending it off to be professionally sandblasted and have it powder coated with a chrome finish and a clear gloss. Between welds, Dionne uses an antispatter spray and brushes the steel. When bending smaller rods (between 1⁄8 and ¼ in.), she uses her hands, but for larger pieces she uses a table bender. Lisa Dionne majored in painting when she first started studying for her bachelor of fine arts degree at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, but after a 3D design and sculpture class, she began experimenting with bronze and clay, and eventually discovered welding. When asked why she welded, Dionne said she enjoys building some- 40 WELDING JOURNAL / MARCH 2016 Fig. 6 — Lisa Dionne’s Livin’ the Dream sculpture was inspired by her feelings about motherhood. She is seen standing with it in front of the Women’s Club of Grand Rapids, Mich.
Welding Journal | March 2016
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