Meet Karla Deal

Karla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I became interested in working with copper about 6 years ago after touring a moonshine distillery with a friend. And you ask, how would a moonshine distillery lead to a future in copper patination? lol. I was intrigued with the copper stills that I kept seeing and several months later, I decided to take a small piece of copper and see what would happen if I tried to torch it or immerse it in chemicals. The colors were absolutely stunning and I was hooked!! It was the same feeling I had the 1st time I bought a film camera, took pictures and went to pick them up at the photo lab. Both are exhilarting. The anticipation while I wait. I still have a deep passion for photography and play with it daily. My camera is essentially just another appendage for me. Truly my copper art feels like an extension of my photography since all of my pics are of nature.

Fast forward 5-6 years later and my passion for copper has grown into a very exciting and creative path for me. I feel like I am really just beginning to experience the full potential of what I can create with copper. There are truly no limits and no boxes that I have to work within. I love working with clients and Interior Designers to try and bring their ideas to life.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My biggest struggle has been myself! I get in my own way so much of the time. I have really struggled with identifying as an “artist”. I struggle with the fact that I never finished college and needed to leave temporarily during my Jr. year for personal reasons. I was majoring in photography when my life took an unexpected turn. I always expected to return and finish when the time was “right” but that time never presented itself. I began working in the photography world and loved what I was doing. Then about 10 years into that, I started my own business as a marketing/printing consultant that continued for the next 23 years which essentially brings me to date. I loved working in the consulting world as my photography and creativity both were an asset to my business. I still have a few clients that I work with but my career has essentially taken the path of a copper artist.

I have never been a person that followed society’s rules and around the age of 20, I realized my path was not going to look like everyone else’s and I needed to take the journey that felt true to me. My life has been well lived through following what my heart said was right for me. Listen to your heart….it will never lie to you! I have had regrets in the past but as I look back on my life now, I no longer have those regrets. The paths I have taken have always been the ones that I needed to be on at that time and have led me to a much deeper spiritual connection by following my heart and opening myself up to what I felt creatively.

I am so grateful that I am doing what I know I was put here to do. I would have never imagined until recently that my earthly purpose would be copper. I love working with natural elements. What a blessing to be involved with this level of creativity every day of my life and that people want a piece of what I create in their homes. What a gift!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in copper patination. When I become obsessed with copper, I could not find anyone that could mentor or teach me a process, or any process for aging copper. I read as much as I could find on it and then it utlimately came down to me just experimenting with it and seeing what the copper had to say as I worked with it. And honestly, that worked for me. I love experimenting with copper was much as I loved and still love, experimenting with photography.

I mostly use chemicals to accelerate the aging process with copper. No two pieces are ever alike and the colors and patterns are all greatly affected by weather, temperatures, time, and humidity. I personally like the colors I get when the humidity is really high.

I can guide the copper to move in the direction of the vision I have but ultimately, I have to let the copper develop and grow into the story it needs to tell and it’s very much a symbiotic relationship that I have with the copper. There have been times in this learning process that I have tried to force the copper to do what I wanted it to do and it ended up being a hard lost battle for me. lol. I finally learned to let the copper speak through me. And I am in awe at what unfolds when I create in unison with the copper.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I listen to a lot of Buddhist Dharma talks on several different apps. Since covid, in-person meditations and talks have become scarce. Most are online right now. I use the Insight Timer app for meditations. I participate in a local zoom book club through Mindful Nashville. I have also become addicted to listening to stories on NPR. So many stories regarding unbelievable paths people have felt inspired to take. Things I could never even imagine. And how inspiring all of these stories are. Stories about everyday people listening to their hearts and doing it. Essentially taking their passion and making it happen.

I also try to spend time with my creative peeps in order to help me think outside of my box and bounce ideas off of.

I love photography and spend a lot of time in nature shooting pictures. Nature is a huge inspiration for my copper. I spend a lot of time making sure my 4-legged baby, Maverick gets to live his best life. I have a deep connection with animals and try to spend as much time as possible with them. They truly help me stay grounded and keep me connected spiritually.