Some flowers demand attention by sheer brightness, and this golden metal poppy sculpture was one of them. From stem to leaves to petals, the torch pulled rich golds from the stainless, a color that felt like sunlight captured in metal. To break the glow, I pushed the heat just far enough at the center to bring out a flash of deep blue. That cool accent against all that warmth gave the bloom its spark.

The heart of the flower was packed with detail: a welded seed pod surrounded by tons of tiny hand-bent stamens, each one shaped and ground individually. It was tedious work, but it was what made the center catch the light and feel alive, almost like it could sway if a breeze came through.

Unlike some of my full-plant sculptures with roots and buds, this one stood alone as a single open bloom, more like a cut flower saved at its brightest moment. The leaves, bead-rolled with fine veins, echoed the curves of the petals and carried the same golden fire, tying everything together in one bright burst.

Check out my other poppy sculptures: Blue Poppy and White Poppy.

This Gold Poppy sculpture is wall hanging, made entirely of stainless steel, colored using only heat patinas, and is safe to be kept outdoors!