Michigan

Grand Rapids

With under a week left to create a Grand Rapids print for ArtPrize, I sketched up a thumbnail and we made a plan. Over the next five days, I painted, printed, and preserved eight pieces of historic utility covers creating one large layered print from seven different covers. This is the first design I saw …

Grand Rapids Read More »

Flint Water 1

Spending years on a manhole hunt across the country, you start to appreciate our intricate, massive, and presumably indestructible infrastructure. Most of the prints are created from sewer or water covers and many are over 100 years old. We can admire the beauty of their exterior designs but have no clue what’s happening below. Like most American’s, I …

Flint Water 1 Read More »

Hartman Foundry

I made a single print of this cover the first time I came to Grand Rapids. I went back to this same location in July where there are three covers in a row each with their own unique nuances, but all using the same markings. The story behind this particular foundry and design is awesome! …

Hartman Foundry Read More »

East Jordan Iron Works

East Jordan Iron Works (EJIW) was founded in East Jordan, Michigan in 1883 and manufactured everything from machine and ship parts to farming equipment and railroads. By World War II,  EJIW shifted their large-scale production to street castings, water valves, and fire hydrants. EJIW is now one of a few suppliers of infrastructure products to almost …

East Jordan Iron Works Read More »

Henry J Hartman

I didn’t know anything about Grand Rapids before heading into town a few months ago to check out some spaces. I had spent the whole first day on the hunt – walking, driving, circling blocks and searching alleys while finding a few promising chunks of iron. I went out the next morning with a plan …

Henry J Hartman Read More »

Flint Blue

Spending 7 years on a manhole cover hunt across the country, you start to appreciate our intricate, massive, and presumably indestructible infrastructure. Most of our pieces are created from sewer or water covers and many are over 100 years old. We can admire the beauty of their exterior designs but have no clue whats happening below. Like most American’s, I …

Flint Blue Read More »

The Detroit Edison Co.

“The Detroit Edison Co.” Detroit, MI June 2016 While waiting to have some canvas stretched outside of Flint, we decided to steer the print mission towards the Motor City. Passing by the exit for 8 Mile headed downtown and actually listening to some old Em at 4:30 PM on a Thursday, one would expect heavy …

The Detroit Edison Co. Read More »

Water Supply Gate Dept.

First cover in Detroit!   Original Artwork made directly from a utility cover in Detroit, MI.

Flint Water 2

”City of Flint Water Div.” Flint, MI July 2018 Spending years on a manhole cover hunt across the country, you start to appreciate our intricate, massive, and presumably indestructible infrastructure. Most of our pieces are created from sewer or water covers and many are over 100 years old. We can admire the beauty of their exterior designs but have …

Flint Water 2 Read More »

Flint Gold

Spending 7 years on a manhole cover hunt across the country, you start to appreciate our intricate, massive, and presumably indestructible infrastructure. Most of our pieces are created from sewer or water covers and many are over 100 years old. We can admire the beauty of their exterior designs but have no clue whats happening below. Like most American’s, I …

Flint Gold Read More »

Flint Red

Spending 7 years on a manhole cover hunt across the country, you start to appreciate our intricate, massive, and presumably indestructible infrastructure. Most of our pieces are created from sewer or water covers and many are over 100 years old. We can admire the beauty of their exterior designs but have no clue whats happening below. Like most American’s, I …

Flint Red Read More »