When most of us think about old pieces of farm equipment that have outlived their usefulness, we probably think about them sitting behind a barn somewhere, quietly rusting until they return to the earth. Although that may be the case in some locations, it is quite a different story on one farm in South Dakota. In fact, you might just be surprised by what you are able to find when you visit.
The images below show you just how much a man can transform one item into another if they just have a little creativity. These creations practically come to life at the hands of artist John Lopez and you are not going to believe how beautiful he can make those old pieces of machinery. He doesn’t restore them to their former splendor, he takes them and transforms them into metal sculptures. Have a look for yourself:
These welded figures are eco-friendly and beautiful. They are designed out of the Wild West and include a horse, Texas Longhorn, and a bison. Each piece is made out of recycled materials.
Lopez started out as a bronze sculptor but was inspired when he saw the scrap metal at his disposal. He used it to create a family grave for his aunt and hasn’t stopped creating since.
These pieces respect the past and show us that it is possible to renew what would otherwise be tossed to the curb. They are also unique, such as the cowboy riding a dinosaur.
“My favorite part about these pieces is the texture,” explains Lopez. “I just start grabbin’ stuff from the pile and welding it, in and if you weld enough of the same thing on over and over it creates this really cool texture that I’ve never seen in these kinds of pieces before. And I think that’s what draws people in.”
There is a lot that can spark the imagination when Lopez puts his mind to his craft.