Approximately 55 new and reprised pieces will be installed on March 31

Copper Works Art will be the Camas Gallery April Featured Artist of the Month. Approximately 55 new and reprised pieces will be installed on March 31. The show will be ready for viewing on April 1.

Area residents are invited to come and view the 10-foot wide by 5-foot tall piece depicting Trout and Salmon of the West. Other copper mixed media paintings will include birds of prey, sea turtles, wolves, butterflies, hummingbirds, patriotic flag and eagles and there will be some surprises and a free raffle for an original Copper Works Art piece valued at over $1500. Also available for sale will be the fresh off the press 2nd Edition of the “Rare Butterflies of the World,” coffee table book. Don’t forget the 1st Friday event April 7 when the gallery and most of downtown, and Uptown Camas, businesses will be open late from 5-8 p.m.

About the artist and Copper Works Art

David Gerton grew up in Colorado. Many happy hours were spent fishing with his dad, grandfathers, and cousins. They fished all over the state with occasional forays into Wyoming and Montana … always chasing the wily trout. This resulted in David’s love for the natural world.

David’s father, mother and grandparents taught him love for his country, freedom and how fortunate he was to be a citizen of the USA. This explains why many of his pieces are created with patriotic themes.

His professional career was in the high-tech Commercial and Industrial Lighting industry. However, his avocation and passion has always been in design and art. His goal is to produce patriotic works of art and works celebrating the wild things found in nature. Included are wild critters, wolves, cougars, bears, fish, turtles, eagles, owls and raptors, and landscapes. He has memorialized a number of pets in copper.

Mixed Media Copper is his medium

An image is drawn on a thin Copper Sheet with a marker, then by use of a series of small hammers and embossing tools the copper is shaped into the likeness of what he is trying to depict. Once the three-dimensional image is complete, a variety of paints, patinas and washes are used to “antique” and color the copper. A torch is used in concert with color mediums to create subtle colors. A variety of transparent alcohol inks and a couple of special coloring techniques create the final color palette.

The result is the flat copper is turned into three dimensional “paintings” which appear to have much more depth than they do. The goal is to make the works as life-like as possible. Each work is signed twice, one visible and one hidden. His “chop” (a wax seal of an American Eagle) is applied before pouring a layer of crystal-clear epoxy resin over the finished piece. The resin provides a finish which is clearer than glass and tougher than glass. No glass is used when framing the art.

Each work contains a hidden heart. It is up to the viewer to find the second signature and heart hidden in each piece.

Most works, including the largest, are made of single sheets of copper. High Definition Giclée images of the original copper are available on aluminum in several sizes up to and including 4-foot by 8-foot. Many large pieces have left the studio. The largest was 5-foot by 10-foot.

His work can be found in collections around the country with pieces having been acquired by collectors in Europe and the Middle East. He has participated in many shows, festivals, and Plein Aire events. 

David has been honored to receive People’s Choice, Artist of the Month and Best in Show awards.

The Copper Works Art Studio is in Southwest Washington overlooking the Columbia River.

For more information, contact David M. Gerton, Copper Works Art, David.gerton@icloud.com, (503) 803-8921.