John Lopez was born and raised in South Dakota. As a bronze sculptor, he already had a successful career and he also comes across the art of welded statues. Interestingly enough, his story began with a tragedy.

When he lost his beloved aunt, Lopez, he went to his windowed uncle’s ranch to build a family cemetery for his aunt’s interment. He ran out of material while building the cemetery gate so he visited the scrap yard nearby to find more. Using the metals he found, he was able to build not only a  gate but also an angel for the cemetery.

This was the beginning of an inspiration to build more weld work and now, these pieces are featured all across the nation. Here is a compilation of his works along with the stories of how they were made in his new Coffee Table Book.

“Friesan”

Photo Credit: John Lopez

“Texas Longhorn”

Photo Credit: John Lopez

John welded together a guitar, a fiddle, the Alamo and five Texas Rangers with chains and gears he got from farm equipment and scrap metal. This is inspired by the lone star state.

“Black Hawk”

Photo Credit: John Lopez

The  “Black Hawk” sculpture can be found at the entrance in a farmer’s market in Kensington, New Hampshire.

“Iron Star”

Photo Credit: John Lopez

“Tyrannosaurus Rex”

Photo Credit: John Lopez

“Dakotah”

Photo Credit: John Lopez

“Wild West Buffalo”

Photo Credit: John Lopez

Lopez made this life-sized buffalo with chains, circular saw blades and other farm tools and scrap metal.

“Moose”

Photo Credit: John Lopez

“Colt of Many Colors”

Photo Credit: John Lopez

“Calumet”

Photo Credit: John Lopez

Woah! These scrap metal artworks definitely took my breath away. I wonder how much work was put into each piece he created. Check out John Lopez’ work and see more of his amazing sculptures on his website: http://www.johnlopezstudio.com/