Not by Design Metals from Oh Lucy!

Words like “salvageable, recyclable, reclaimed, reworked, reconstructed or recreated”, these are all music to the ears of metal artist, Lucy McEvilly-Schwab when she’s “in the hunt” for new materials. She visits local salvage yards, metal suppliers and small businesses that utilize metal in their work whether its water jet, laser or plasma cutting everything from brake shoes for race cars, trusses for houses, gate braces to geckos.

Looking at a 4 x 6 foot sheet of “punched out” steel may look just like that to the ordinary eye, but not McEvilly-Schwab. She sees the beginning of a paint palette, a vision, the beginning of a design. Gate braces become the background for a loveseat and a “school of fish” motif along with a table, mirror and clock…trusses were the cutout for a pair of chairs and tabletop. Cam shafts that are used in cars came by way of a good friend and made great table legs! Keeping this in mind, all works are one-of-a-kind pieces.

Transformation has always been in Lucy’s repertoire whether it’s creating a garden sanctuary, washing color on walls or catering corporate events in arenas and outdoor venues. As a Master Gardener and culinary school graduate, her work is highlighted with texture, color and whimsy.

She maintains her passion for the art by continuing to educate herself in the craft. Recently discovering how much more depth and limitless possibilities are created in the supports and frames of her creations, she has become a member of the Arizona Artists Blacksmith Association where she’s begun taking classes from some of the great blacksmiths here in Arizona as well as aligning herself with other local artists who share her enthusiasm.

McEvilly-Schwab is originally a “cheesehead” from Madison, Wisconsin. She relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 1973 where she resides with her husband, Philip and cat Sophie.

Patio Table and Chairs

Click here to view the Breakfast for Two-Patio Table and Chairs project.