Steelhead Fabrications Sign Gallery

This was a collaborative piece with my friend Nick Rhinehart who built the frame of this piece. The gate is constructed of stainless steel and copper. Over time, the gate will change in the salt air environment...just like the water, ever changing.

This is the only sign I have built for myself. I am fortunate to work with a wonderful team at the Seattle District Army Corps of Engineers. It is constructed of high-grade stainless steel and burnished copper. It is an uncommon sign for an uncommon group of very talented people. As I could not attach the sign to the walls with screws, a set of stainless steel hangers were built specifically for this installation.

I was called by Chris and Megan of Legacy Landscaping with an urgent request...they needed a sign for the Seattle Home Show with their brand new logo. The only problem was that the show was less than a week away. They provided the logo and graphics file and said to use my best judgement...pretty scary for me. They were some of the best clients I have worked with. Their only request was that the sign was made with the best quality and attention to detail, just like their work. (I actually think their landscaping design and implementation is better than my metalwork....). Legacy Landscaping has moved to Issaquah and is now located at 1705 Newport Way. Chris can be reached at (206) 571-8855.

I was honored to be asked to work up a design for the Torchmate Corporation who helped me to build my Plasma Table. Their technical support and quality of equipment is scond to none. This polished stainless sign was 7 ft. long, is 6 inches deep and very heavy, but it looks light when on the wall. The Torchmate design team was a joy to work with.

NVL Labs is a small, but highly successful Asbestos and Industrial Hygiene laboratory located in Seattle. They wanted something simple but with a strong design statement. The sign is installed in the entryway of their classic laboratory building (a Craftsman-style house), mounted against a rich red wall. The stainless steel sign is high tech, but at the same time it looks like it was designed in the 1930s. On another note, I have used NVL for numerous remediations and investigations and they perform very well.

A friend was discussing how complicated his life had become because of the discovery of Dioxin at one of the marine sites he was responsible for. Being a chemist and not being smart enough to know when to leave an issue alone, I created a 2,3,7,8-TCDD molecule out of Stainless Steel (yes, I know it has a large amount of Hexavalent Chromium in it....), so he can look at it whenever he wants! Dave was gracious and even had a smile on his face...I'm so fortunate to have friends that humor me. I have been just been asked to create a PCB Congener (call if you want an explaination) for another science nerd......

Pivetta Bros. Construction is a rock solid heavy civil construction firm located in Sumner, Washington. They can do it all and most likely have! They wanted a sign that pointed to their business and this is what we came up with. The sign is constructed of mild steel, aluminum diamond plate and stainless steel. This project was fun and Candy Riorden was a joy to work with.

Justin Seth of Seth Motors approached me to create a new sign to comply with Ellensburg Fire Department requirements. He wanted a wild and well made sign to grab the attention of his clients...this 5 foot long sign is the result.It is mounted with pounds of fasteners and will never come down, even in the Ellensburg wind!

This was one of the most technically challenging pieces I have worked on...tough materials, hidden joinery and the need for exceptional craftsmanship. It was created for (and with) my dear friend Ross Jones, the Principal of Wattenbarger Architects. For more information, see the Creation Process page of this website.

This piece was created for some homeowners close to Alki Beach in Seattle. I will be constructing a large (6 foot wide) wave that will face Puget Sound. This test piece is made of stainless and mild steel, but the finished gate will be made of Copper and Stainless. The copper will gradually change to a mottled green in the salt air...can't wait!

I was asked to develop a classy sign for a very classy place in Issaquah, Washington. This store/spa was the brainchild of Linda Ellis, the creator of Sweet Addition, a truly fantastic dining spot. Their motto is "The Sweetest Things on Earth" and their website can be found at www.sweetaddition.com. While installing the sign, my son and I observed a constant stream of beautiful women looking for that special "thing" before a night on the town.

The six-foot long sign is made entirely of stainless steel and copper...made to look fresh for a very long time, even after a night on the town!.

Adapted from an Art Noveau printer's ornament, this piece now lives in Sulpher, Oklahoma on the house of an old family friend. Pierced Stainless Steel approximately 14" square.

This sign is built using Bronze, Naval Brass, Tempered Copper, Stainless Steel and Chemically-treated Mild Steel. It is entirely composed of elements bolted together with stainless steel studs and fasteners. Robin Spicer created the concept and I created it our of metal. This was a fun, difficult and exciting project that allowed me to play with a variety of materials. Thanks again to Robin and Bernadette for all their help (and patience!).

This is the sign I created for the best Automotive Repair Shop in Washington State! They wanted the best, so I used 304 Stainless throughout.

This has been a saying that, while made popular by President Reagan, was actually from an old Russian proverb. A rough translation is "Trust, but Verify". My friend Nikolai Pribytko provided the Cyrillic script that was the basis for this piece. In short...it's always good to do your own homework! Speaking of homework, Nikolai is one of the best Database folk around. Get in touch with me if you need a magician!

Created for a group of wonderful traffic engineers and planners with the guidance of Colleen Gants of PRR, Inc. Solid stainess steel to last...no color except the polished and textured steel. A strong, but still subtle design statement.

For 30 years of dedicated service to ARCADIS, John was asked to create something special for his tremendous co-worker, V. Steve Reed. This was his attempt to make something worthy of such an award. In addition to providing litigation support, Steve is an amazing woodworker... Great logo to work with but the company is pretty weak in treating people fairly. Steve is a saint as are the people in the Seattle office. I do have a big bone to pick with the Denver Corporate people, however!

This award is constructed of Tempered Copper, Stainless Steel and Aluminum Bronze (as is used in statuary).

Based on the repeated urging of Stephanie, who manages the Fishbowl , I decided to exhibit in the main room of the brewpub in October 2003. The response has been wonderful. Imagine...being able to look at nice steel art while drinking some of the best brews in the Western United States (Fish Brewing Company wins LOTS of awards from the brewing world)...doesn't get better than that! Visit this great place. You won't regret it. If I'm there...I'll buy you a beer! I designed this sign to capture the spirit of the Fishbowl. Wonderful beers, beautiful people...

I have now completed many signs for this firm. They rebranded their logo and fortunately included me in their plans to help out with signs. When installed they are set on top of a dark blue wall with a bright red accent stripe. The script tag line (also in stainless) reads:

"inspired people

inspired solutions

making a difference"

I did this as a favor for a wonderfully sweet client who had the sign made for her Father to thank him for helping with her wedding. It was over 4 feet long with sharp, sparkly teeth! One of my attorney friends really likes the concept and hopes to have me make one for one of his partners (insert favorite lawyer joke here!).

This was created for the SR 520 office in downtown Seattle. The design was by Josh Vandenberg of Parametrix, who in addition to being a wild snowboarder, also is a talented guitarist and graphic designer. Tough location to set up signage, but I think he pulled it off! Better living through stainless steel!

The shield was the only design element that they insisted on! I was skeptical and dragged my heels until I realized they were right. The shield is composed of 1/4 inch Stainless numbers layered on 2 layers of 1/8 inch Stainless. My friend Ross Jones and his son Eero helped me to hang this sign the night before the big move into the offices.

This project wias the brainchild of Charlie Cunniff from ECOSS and Cliff Louie of the City of Seattle. Over 20 colorful banners were made to provide identity to the South Park Neighborhood. They asked for durable, permanent, low maintenence materials to be used (and they had to be removable and lightweight....). This was a cooperative undertaking and required some additional help from my son, Thomas and brother-in-law, Jack Seth.

Materials are mild steel for the frame (for strength), Aluminum panels (for weight) and Stainless Steel mesh for durability. All fasteners and emblems are Stainless Steel. Powdercoating by the best in the business....Northwest Powder Coatings!

This sign has been the focal point of the shop efforts for March, as the sign was to be completed by Opening Day of the Seattle Mariners. The sign was commissioned by KOMO AM Radio 1000 to celebrate their winning of the Mariners radio broadcast rights. The sign is in the main Luxury Suite in Safeco Field in Seattle. It is entirely made of Stainless Steel and weighs over 80 pounds. The folk at KOMO were a joy to work with, also, (especially Nicole)!

Here is the sign before finishing. Great design is the standard for Issaquah Salmon Days and they really hit on something with the Spawntaneous Rastifarians!

Here is the finished version of the Spawntaneous sign for the Issaquah Salmon Days folk. They are wonderful to work with, allowing freedom and encouraging creativity. I had to wear sunglasses to try to be as "cool" as their graphic!

This was an afternoon doodle for an excellent company. Created of Stainless Steel, it's simple and very clean design just cried for a sign to be made. You probably can't see it, but there are faint rain drops falling through the upper letters....after all, it is Seattle!

This was a quick piece I did as my formal acceptance of a job offer from this small firm. The piece lasted longer than I did at the firm. Made of Copper and pierced Stainless Steel.

This is the finished sign for EA Engineering and Consulting of Bellevue, Washington. The heavy Stainless Steel logo is offset with the heat texturing of the background shield. Glenn Hayman, the Office Manager, was involved with all phases of the design. His vision of the finished project was truly remarkable.

This is my version of the Columbia Analytical Services (CAS) logo. Great chemists and pretty good people, too! Now if only they collected fish art......

The sign was one of my first mixed metals signs. The folk at Northwest Powder Coatings were a big help by allowing me to submit trial pieces as I used chemical treatment for the background. Strange logo, but a pretty nice sign. I used to know many people from the firm, but they seem to have mostly left for greener pastures.

Another house ornament created from old printer's ornaments in pierced stainless steel.

Wave Gate-Seattle