Rick DeTroyer

A note from Rick DeTroyer: I have always been intrigued with making things. I love to see a thought in my mind and try to shape it into reality. After many years of teaching techniques to others, I feel I need to take what I feel and bring it to a form. My hands seem to know what to do when I cut, hammer and weld metal. I’m learning to let my heart over rule my conscience. I see resources being wasted; Details not recognized by people. I want to speak out but my mastery of the English language was left back in a religious elementary classroom. So I take this step forward to call attention to you to look at my experiences. I hope they convey a new light in your eyes.

Enjoy a Rick DeTroyer original piece in your home, office or yard for a full year. At the end of the year, swap it out for a new piece, or apply your loan fee toward the cost of owning the piece. Your choice!

Contact Rick to request a specific sculpture, or if you have any questions.

Entry “K”
THE SPIRIT OF CHELSEA 2184

This is my latest work, created to celebrate the City of Chelsea’s 175th anniversary in 2009. I first shaped Chelsea out of clay. I then formed her in sand to hold the 737 bits of metal into her shape and gas welded all the pieces together. She stands atop a representation of the Chelsea Clock Tower for all to see for the next 175 years (2184). Presently she is on tour in downtown Chelsea, Michigan, but she is available to come to your location for limited engagements. —Rick DeTroyer

Medium: Metal blanks from Hatch Stamping in Chelsea, MI
Weight: 150 lbs.
Size: 5 ft. tall X 16 in X 16 in.
Purchase price: $6,000
Art on Loan price: Available for limited engagements

STATUS: Rick DeTroyer’s “The Spirit of Chelsea” is currently on display at San Chez Bistro as part of the Art Prize show in Grand Rapids.

Entry “M”
HEAVY METAL CELLO

This is an old cello I souped-up to meet my audio and metallic expectations of what I would play if I could. This piece can visit your patio for just  $365. —Rick DeTroyer

Medium: Cello, furnace parts and electrical parts and metal of course
Weight: 30 lbs.
Size: 47 in. tall X  27 in wide X 20 in. deep
Purchase price: $900
Art on Loan price: $365 for one full year

Entry “L”
WASHTENAW GOTHIC

This is a sheet metal cut-out of my idea of the classic American Gothic. I Made it with all the beautiful farmland and nature we have in Washtenaw county. Enjoy this piece in your own your garden for just $365 a year. —Rick DeTroyer

Medium: Pole barn sheet metal, found objects from Chelsea.
Weight: 100 lbs.
Size: 6 ft. tall X 6 ft long X 16 in.
Purchase price: $900
Art on Loan price: $365 for one full year

Entry “J”
HOPE

I wanted to create a piece art that was inspired by the hope that Barack and Martin Luther King, Jr. have had all these years. Old sheet metal lockers were perfect to hammer into this new shape. —Rick DeTroyer

Medium: Metal lockers, brass and found objects.
Weight: 125 lbs.
Size: 6 ft tall X 3 ft wide X 23 in. deep
Purchase price: $ 1,100
Art on Loan price: $365 for one full year

Entry “I”
BOTTLE TREE

Old trampolines are great for outdoor sculpture. The curve of the pipes and gas welded electrical conduit hold the wine bottles in place for the sun to shine through them. This piece can currently be viewed at The New Chelsea Market in downtown Chelsea, Michigan. —Rick DeTroyer

Medium: Found old trampoline, wine bottles and truck rim
Weight: 800 lbs.
Size: 11 ft tall X 3 ft. wide X 47 in. deep
Purchase price: $3,300
Art on Loan price: $500 for one full year

Entry “H”
WIND MACHINE

I call this piece “Wind Machine”. It was created using  old scrap metal from a water tank and found bits. I cut and hammered a shape to spin as the wind feels fit to play. This piece can be viewed at the Applewood Sculpture Show in Flint through October, 2009. —Rick DeTroyer

Medium: Metal, found water tank, pipe formed by hand hammering
Weight: 800 lbs
Size: 8ft. tall X 3 ft. wide X 3 ft. deep
Purchase price: $4,000
Art on Loan price: $575 for one full year

Entry “G”
BARBIE

I wanted a friend in the garden with me. Barbie stands guard and her earrings keep the birds out. I love when the sun shines through her jewels in the morning. —Rick DeTroyer

Medium: Metal, stained glass and found objects
Weight: 35 lbs.
Size: 6 ft tall X 3 ft wide X 6 in. deep
Purchase price: $900
Art on Loan price: $365 for one full year

Entry “F”
SAND MAKER

This is called Sand Maker. It will take rocks and turn them into beautiful sand over time. You only have to sit down and relax as you look upon this sculpture in your garden. It was my first sculpture at a major show in Saugatuck, Michigan. —Rick DeTroyer

Medium: Metal, found objects and field stone
Weight: 500 lbs.
Size: 24” X 24” X 45” tall
Purchase price: $1,700
Art on Loan price: $475 for one full year

Entry “E”
REGROWTH 1

I call this piece “Regrowth  1” . This was my first sculpture flower. I cut and hammer the strong iron beam so to reshape the delicate leaves. The detail in the flower is unique as I tried to shape the center blossom into an unfolding fern leaf . The golden tone to the metal is red shoe polish. I feel good re-using these old elements. This piece is currently on display at a private residence on Main St. in Chelsea, Michigan. —Rick DeTroyer

Medium: Metal, found I-beam formed by hand hammering
Weight: 200 lbs
Size: 4 ft. tall X 2 ft. wide X 2 ft. deep.
Purchase price: $1,200
Art on Loan price: $365 for one full year

Entry “D”
REGROWTH

I call this piece “Regrowth” as I see the old scrap metal from a rundown building unfolding into a flower. I cut and hammer the strong iron beam so to reshape the delicate leaves. The wind can sway the tall slender ones but the outer shapes stand firm as they did for years holding the building up. I feel good re-using these elements. This piece has been in numerous shows in Flint, Tecumseh and is currently on display at the Dexter Library. —Rick DeTroyer

Medium: Metal, found I-beam formed by hand hammering
Weight: 800 lbs
Size: 6 ft. tall X 3 ft. wide X 2 ft. deep
Purchase price: $3,800
Art on Loan price: $550 for one full year