My connection to the ocean goes back about 30 years — that's how long I've been a scuba diver. There's something about being underwater, weightless, surrounded by life, that changes the way you see the world. I've logged dives all along the California coast and beyond, and every single one has shaped the way I think about my art.
One of the most unforgettable experiences of my life happened on my honeymoon. I got married on the Big Island of Hawaii, and for our honeymoon night, we went diving with the manta rays. If you've never done it, picture this: you're floating in the dark ocean at night, holding a light, and these enormous, graceful mantas — some with wingspans wider than you are tall — glide right up to you, rolling and swooping through the water just inches away. It was pure magic. That sense of wonder, of being so close to something so beautiful and wild — that's what I try to capture in my metal work.
So when I first walked through the kelp forest exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, it hit me on a deeper level than just "oh, that's pretty." I stood there for a long time watching the light filter through the swaying kelp. The way everything moved together — the kelp, the fish, the water itself — it felt like a living sculpture. As a diver, I'd seen kelp forests in person, felt them brush against me underwater. But seeing it from this perspective, I remember thinking, I need to make this in metal.
From Aquarium to Workshop
That trip was about three years ago, and the idea sat in the back of my mind the whole time. I'd sketch kelp fronds on napkins at dinner, or catch myself studying how water flows over rocks at the beach. The challenge wasn't just making something that looked like a kelp forest — it was making it work as a fountain.
I started with the base. The rocks at the bottom are shaped from heavy-gauge steel, welded together to create a natural-looking reef bed. Each one is hand-cut with my plasma cutter and then shaped on the anvil. Getting them to look organic while also hiding the water pump and tubing inside — that was the real puzzle.
Building the Kelp
The kelp fronds are my favorite part. Each one is cut from a single sheet of steel, then I use a combination of hammer work and heat to give them that natural curve and twist. If you look closely, you'll see that no two fronds are exactly alike — just like real kelp.
I use a layered patina process to get the green and brown tones. It starts with a base coat of copper patina, then I build up layers of green and amber using different chemical solutions. The colors shift depending on the light, which gives the whole piece that underwater quality I was going for.
The Sea Creatures
The sea creatures were the most fun to make. Each one is a separate sculpture that attaches to the kelp or the rocks. I started with the octopus — he's got eight individually shaped tentacles that wrap around a kelp frond. Then came the sea turtle, the starfish, the seahorses, and the clownfish.
Every creature is optional, which means you can start with the base fountain and add creatures over time. Some of my customers have started with just the kelp and rocks, then come back a year later to add a turtle or an octopus. It's like building your own underwater world.
Water and Sound
Getting the water flow right took a lot of trial and error. I wanted it to cascade gently down through the kelp, not just pour straight down. The pump is hidden inside the rock base, and the water travels up through copper tubing inside the main kelp stalk before spilling over and trickling down through the fronds.
The sound it makes is really peaceful — more of a gentle trickle than a splash. Several customers have told me they keep it on their patio and it's the most relaxing thing to listen to in the evening.
A Piece I'm Truly Proud Of
This fountain took me longer to develop than any other sculpture I've made. From the first sketch to the finished piece, it was about eight months of work. But every time I see one installed in a customer's garden, surrounded by real plants and catching the sunlight, I know it was worth every hour.
Thirty years of diving, a lifetime of loving the ocean, and one unforgettable night with the manta rays — all of that is in this piece. It's not just a fountain. It's my love letter to the sea.
If you're interested in the Kelp Forest Fountain, you can see all the details and add-on options on the product page [blocked]. And if you have questions about customizing it — different creatures, different sizes, different finishes — just reach out. I love talking about this piece.
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