Solar roses have been a mainstay of my work since I first started making art. The sculpture shown here represents the latest evolution of this form and includes, in particular, the incorporation of bronze root structures as either freestanding branches or root 'veins' carved into various natural rock bases. I call single or double flower pieces "long stem roses". All are designed as indoor/outdoor sculpture and for placement inside, away from a sunny window, I can include a subtle power cord masquerading as a blade of grass to provide power for the lights. I build and release small batches of roses every now-and-again and frequently take commissions for people giving them as gifts. Prices start at $1000 for a single flower. Please feel free to inquire about any specific rose shown here, most are sold but they can help serve as examples for custom pieces.
Winter 6
Standing Rose Bush 2020
Glass flowers
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
White LED lights in flowers
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
$12000
Ultra Plasmatic
Triple Rose Bush 2020
Glass flowers
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
Onyx base
Steel base plate
LED lights in flowers
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
SOLD
Kryptonite
Long Stem 2020
Glass flower
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
Steel baseplate
LED lights in flower
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
SOLD
If you have not seen one of these in person, here's how they work:
Solar panels incorporated into the leaves charge a hidden battery during the day when the sculpture is in the sun. At night, a small circuit board (also hidden) powers a light display from the glass flowers. The lights can be any combination of colors and they glow and fade slowly from one color to the next. I usually suggest two different colors in each flower, this gives a dynamic yet calm display that is pretty but not overly distracting. The handmade, sandblasted flowers thus appear white during the day and vibrantly, softly colored at night. Except, of course, for sculpture with white lights in the flowers, these I would say are maybe more elegant. The flowers are detachable for transport and periodic cleaning, though for outdoor placements they are generally self-cleaning with exposure to the rain and dew.
Green Night
Long Stem 2020
Glass flower
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
Granite
Steel baseplate
LED lights in flower
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
SOLD
Windswept
Long Stem 2020
Glass flower
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
Shale
Steel baseplate
LED lights in flower
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
SOLD
Sunset 1
Long Stem 2020
Glass flower
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
Decomposed granite
Steel baseplate
LED lights in flower
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
SOLD
Rover 1
Long Stem 2020
Glass flower
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
Red sandstone river rock
Steel baseplate
LED lights in flower
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
SOLD
Big Skipper
Long Stem 2020
Glass flower
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
Blue shale
Steel baseplate
LED lights in flower
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
SOLD
Long Stem 2020
Glass flower
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
Grey and brown schist
Steel baseplate
LED lights in flower
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
SOLD
Twin Peak
Double Long Stem 2020
Glass flower
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
White soapstone
Steel baseplate
LED lights in flower
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
SOLD
Triple Deluxe
Three flower rose 2019
Glass flowers
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and walking roots
LED lights in flowers
custom PV power electronics
Wired for indoor power
leaf-integrated solar panels
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
$2500
Precipice
Long Stem 2019
Glass flower
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
Granite
Steel baseplate
LED lights in flower
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
SOLD
Lighthouse 1
Long Stem 2019
Glass flower
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
Shale
Steel baseplate
LED lights in flower
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
SOLD
Balancing Act
Long Stem 2019
Glass flower
Copper stems and leaves
Bronze bark and roots
Granite rock
Steel baseplate
LED lights in flower
custom PV power electronics
leaf-integrated solar panel
LiFePO4 rechargeable battery
SOLD