Magnolias have always felt larger than life to me, their blossoms bold, fragrant, and impossible to ignore. I wanted to capture that spirit and give it permanence in this stainless steel magnolia sculpture. Measuring roughly 24" across, about the size of a wreath, it made for a striking statement piece.

At the heart of the bloom was a detailed stamen bundle, surrounded by silver petals that gleamed in the natural color of stainless steel. Around the flower, a ring of leaves created a frame. Each leaf had burnt edges to help it feel more organic rather than engineered. I gave each leaf bead-rolled "veins" for texture, then used torch fire to coax out a gradient of color: blue at the edges fading into purple, then finally gold at the center.

For me, magnolias also carry a sense of home. Having grown up in North Carolina, their blooms feel like a familiar welcome, a reminder of porches shaded by massive trees and spring air heavy with their scent.

See also my larger Steel Magnolia sculpture with a full branch.

This metal magnolia sculpture is wall hanging, made entirely of stainless steel, colored using only heat patinas, and must be kept indoors!