John Lopez's Black Hawk

Scrap iron sculptor, John Lopez, is a genius . . . plain and simple truth.  After the death of his beloved Auntie Effie, Lopez moved in with his uncle on his ranch in South Dakota to build a family cemetery. Uncle Geno opened his home and more importantly, his welding shop to Lopez.  The rest is history.

Photo Courtesy: John Lopez Studio

While attempting to complete the fence around the family cemetery, the closest town is 35 miles away and Lopez ran out of material.  Thus, his imagination kicked into gear and he began to dig in scrap iron on-site to complete his work.

Photo Courtesy: John Lopez Studio

All visitors were amazed at his efforts; re-use gave Lopez such new-found personal satisfaction.  Lopez was already a successful commissioned bronze sculptor, but the excitement of the hunt and sculpting from scrap causes him to never be bored.  Scrap iron to Lopez brings forth a totally new direction for his work that piques his imagination and talent to a whole new level.

Photo Courtesy: John Lopez Studio

Over the past 10 years, Lopez has been working on The City of Presidents project in Rapid City, SD.   Bronze presidents reside on street corners through the town.  He has sculptures scattered across the country and in traveling exhibitions.

Photo Courtesy: John Lopez Studio

All the while sculpting presidents and other commissions, Lopez has been able to build a career in sculpture without leaving his rather isolated prairie home in South Dakota.  Lopez grew up on a ranch; he knows horses and he knows cattle.  It's no surprise that is what he loves to sculpt best.

Photo Courtesy: John Lopez Studio

Lopez's most recent work is a draft horse pulling a plow.  What I find so interesting is that the longer you look at the piece, the more items you discover being incorporated into the mix.  This brings forth curiosity at a whole new level as a spectator of Lopez's magical interpretations.  

Photo Courtesy: John Lopez Studio

Sure, it's metal.  Sure, it's scrap.  Sure, it's rusted.  However, Lopez's beautiful feathered work horse manages to capture your heart when you look into its seemingly kind eye, which brings a soulful feel to this magnificent piece named "Black Hawk."  

                                                                             Photo Courtesy: John Lopez Studio

                         

Photo Courtesy: John Lopez Studio

Photo Courtesy:  John Lopez Studio

Black Hawk made it's way over to the east coast this spring, but not before Lopez had a little fun with him in a photoshoot.   As of April 24, 2014, Black Hawk now resides at a community-governed, 7-day/week farm store called The Farm at Eastman's Corner (Est. 1737) in Kensington, New Hampshire.  

Please enjoy the John Lopez Studio Blog HERE to see his other works on display.  Also, click HERE to visit the world of Eastman's Corner on Facebook.