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Both Skip and Racheal studied fine arts at the University of Arizona in the late 60's and early 70's. Upon leaving the University, Racheal continued to develop in the fine arts refining her skills in drawing, color theory, and composition. She produced landscapes, portraits, illustrations and murals in a wide variety of media. She also enjoyed teaching others to build these very satisfying skills. Skip, on the other hand, began concentrating on copper as his media of choice. One of Skip's primary markets in the early 70's and mid 80's was fine arts shows around the country. Some of his early works were shown at the Phoenix Art Museum and the El Paso Museum of Fine Arts. In the early 80's and in his second decade of coppersmithing, Skip discovered and developed the technique of creating patterns and colors with the reduction part of an oxyacetylene flame. This came about as he endeavored to break away from the masses. Coloring the copper gave his pieces a unique quality not yet available to other copper workers. Also in the 80's, Skip made a decision to concentrate on smaller pieces and this was for three reasons. First, because he had two daughters and this enabled him to spend more time with them. Second, to create beautiful pieces for common people as well as the rich. Third, to hone his skill through sheer repetition. During this time, he went from being a copper colorist to being referred to as a flame painter because of the detail he achieved using a flame. In the mid 90's, after twenty-four years of touring the United States as a copper artist, this premiere American Flame Painter desired to settle down with his children. Being recognized for his unique and highly developed talent, he was asked to become a resident artist at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. In the new millennium, Racheal set aside her fine arts career to join Skip as a coppersmith. After years of watching him develop this medium, her desire to create with flame on copper overpowered her fear of the flame. She decided to offer her talents to Skip as a co-designer and flame painter. Other members of his family have also joined Skip. All of this has opened the door for him to add fine art vases and sculptures to his repertoire and has given Skip and Racheal the opportunity to once again travel the country and share their work with many. The work they now display reflects a combined seventy years of experience in the arts, as well as the inspiration, wisdom and knowledge gained from their faith in God. After working six years at Silver Dollar City, this company of Copper Colorists took on a new adventure. They now demonstrate and produce their unique product at The Branson Mill Craft Village (3300 N. Gretna Blvd. in Branson). There is no admission charge, so they are accessible to more people. And because of the controlled atmosphere, they are now able to create better colors and produce more of the larger pieces that people so highly desire. We hope that each
of you will be inspired and enriched by our artwork. Copper
Colorists
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