STEEL YOUR HEART AWAY (AXEL STUDIO)

Sunshine Coast, British Columbia

by Susie Lee

Although Sunshine Coast is only 45 minutes away from Vancouver, it felt like an untouched paradise as I traveled through this area. My guide Cindy (Artworks Tours) and I were driving along the forested road that curved up and down into Roberts Creek. From a distance Cindy pointed out metal sculptures that decorated the entrance to Axel Stenzel’s home based studio and garden gallery. As we pulled into his driveway, there was a fascinating world of metal creatures that welcomed us. There was an army of insects, mammals, reptiles, bicycles, robots, a tree, flowers, and many of them being life sized.

Axel is a metal sculptor who uses old automotive parts and steel scraps to create animals, machinery and political pieces. He originally began to create metal sculptures when he was working with children. He loved creating pieces for the children as it made them so happy. It is evident through his work that he loves people. He loves life and puts love and life into each piece of sculpture. A sign in front of his property welcomes visitors to come onto his property and browse through his steel art world.

It was a magical feeling walking through his beautiful garden filled with his masterpieces. Each one has a story and each one is unique in its parts. Much of the time, he will find his inspiration by looking at a certain steel piece to see of it reminds him of something. He will envision a picture or story and begin to create one steel piece at a time. One of my favorite pieces was the life sized tree with birds perched on its branches; it was a beautiful work of art that would compliment any garden. I said I was going to come back one day and purchase the beautiful work of art that would compliment my own home. I haven’t decided whether I will plant it outside or inside…

His property was filled with metallic sculptures and his workshop was crammed with automotive parts: exhaust pipes, nuts and bolts, which were organized, by size and shape. His property is a playground and eye candy store for both kids and adults.

PHOTO GALLERY