Steve and Calisse Browne started their work with flame painting copper jewelry. The process of moving from jewelry to larger copper pieces required experimentation with various torches and techniques to prepare the metal for painting. Painting larger pieces requires multiple steps. While some steps can be prepared in advance, a number of them must be completed in succession, requiring patience and endurance, if the piece is particularly large, to create the unique, one-of-a-kind pieces of art. The couple works together collaborating on the art pieces.

Calisse started working with metal by taking jewelry metalsmithing classes at the Denver School of Metal Arts. She started working with silver but quickly moved into working with copper as well. Steve, her husband, enjoyed a class he took and began working with enamel and copper as well. They started experimenting with flame painted copper wall art and to strengthen their understanding of the oxidizing copper with heat, took a class at the Ozark Folk Center in Arkansas from a couple that discovered flame painted copper many years ago. After much experimentation, practice, and testing, Steve and Calisse transferred the learned jewelry techniques to larger wall art pieces.

The couple is very fortunate in that they work well together and complement each other’s abilities. Every piece is touched by both artists. Yet, both can independently perform every component of the fire painting process. They brainstorm their projects and through discussion and experimentation, to push their understanding of working with copper and to produce more elaborate designs.

Their biggest satisfaction comes from watching others enjoy their art.