When scraps of metal get thrown away, what happens to them? Well, many of them get recycled and turned into something new.
Other times, people like artist John Brown find them, and while he gives these scraps new life, too, he goes about it in a slightly different way.
Instead of seeing only the mechanical potential in these hunks of metal, John sees something a little more organic.
Just like the pair of travelers who knew that a simple hula hoop could become a magical prop, John sees the potential in each piece of metal he comes across, and transforms them into startlingly lifelike sculptures of birds, insects, and other animals.
His talent for bringing old scrap to life is just remarkable. John uses everything from nails to bicycle chains to car parts to create his sculptures.
But thanks to his incredible skill, the sculptures look as delicate and detailed as their living counterparts. Further detail is added in with paint so they look even more like the real thing!
Take a look below, and you'll never look at a hunk of scrap metal the same way!
(H/T: Colossal)
John uses scrap metal of all kinds to create his sculptures. The finished products always end up looking incredibly delicate, despite coming from pieces of hardware and machinery.
This butterfly measures only three inches across.
He's inspired by nature, particularly the small, often-overlooked things like insects.
But insects aren't all he makes. His bird sculptures are breathtakingly realistic, too. It's hard to believe that this was welded!
For the colors, he uses oil paints. These embellishments are kept as true to life as possible, and add extra reality to his creations.
Depending on the subject, the painting can be just as intricate as the metalwork.
This sculpture is of an Adonis Blue butterfly, and though it looks impossibly delicate, the metal used in its creation started out as the hood of a car!
These butterflies show not only his talent for sculpting, but his talent for painting, too.
The textures of old chains, fencing, and wire mesh make up the scales of this coiled snake. From far away, it really looks real!
It's not just about the shape of the metal pieces, but the texture, as well. You can almost see each feather on this pheasant, thanks to the texture of the metals.
Of course, some of his sculptures are allowed to keep their metallic shines, like these cute frogs. Check out their eyes — they're screws!
And he's not just about cute bugs like ladybugs and butterflies. His sculptures explore creatures of all species.
In this case, the yellow paint stands out against the natural metal and is all the more striking.
This happy little dude has a few silverware handles for added texture.
And he's not an arachnophobe!
You can see much more of John's work, including some of his wood carvings and drawing projects, on his Facebook page. You can also purchase one of his unique sculptures on his Etsy shop.
And as usual, be sure to SHARE this artist's amazing work with your friends!
