How harnessing the sun's power helps California man's 'burning desire' to create art
A California resident doesn’t care much for paintbrushes but instead uses the sun to make his art.
Harnessing the power of the sun to make art
Forget about paint brushes and chisels. Artist Michael Papadakis explains how he uses the power of the sun to create beautiful works of art.
When the forecast calls for sun every day, you must take advantage of it.
A California resident doesn’t care much for paintbrushes but instead uses the sun to make his art.
Dubbed heliography, Michael Papadakis uses lenses and mirrors to focus the sun's rays and uses them as a tool to create art.
"I focus the light onto wood or organic materials like stone in order to either burn or melt the material into a desired piece of artwork," Papadakis says.
Papadakis says what started as a childhood experiment turned into his life’s work after taking a trip around the world.
"Ten years ago, I walked out the door, and I took a one-way trip to the other side of the globe, and I traveled for 14 months," he said. "On that trip was where I discovered this magnificent art form. And so, when I returned, I decided to practice even more."
His work has led him to make many pieces that he sells and even hosts live events.
While much of the U.S. was getting blasted with snow last week, Papadakis said his FOX Weather app called for sun, which helped him make his latest masterpiece.
While the East was getting snow, it was sunny skies in California, and Michael Papadakis was able to make this piece of art.
(Michael Papadakis)
"The beauty about the weather is that if something is happening in one place, it could be the exact opposite happening in another. So this is an example that the great snowstorm of the East Coast was sunshine of the West Coast."