Flora “paints” the metal’s surface using layer upon layers of different substances. This process sets in motion an evolving “alchemy” of chemical activity, as she works and reworks the metal. Her patinas can include vibrate colors, such as orange or blue, or can be subtle: ghosts of previous marks are revealed as the patina is sanded back to bare metal. There is no guarantee on the outcome, too many factors are always in play, which adds to the mystery of this exciting, uncontrollable process. Her choice of “substances” include kitchen staples like salt, vinegar, and baking soda, to cleaning products like bleach, or other agents such as sawdust, muriatic acid, and commercially produced metal patinas.
Flora has used her patinated metals to form abstract compositions on wooden panels. Lately, her work has taken the form of wall sculptures that incorporate woven metals.
