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This incredible 3D art is made from common household screws

3 min read

Inspiring People
Source: Andrew Myers

California based artist, Andrew Myers, works by oil painting on top of the heads of thousands of screws to create unique 3 Dimensional sculpture-like portraits.

Warm, soft flesh recreated with cold, hard steel

Andrew Myers’ art is made from thousands of a lifeless, common household object: screws. Still, he is able to create his unique and realistic pieces, many of them portraits, by combining oil paint and the right use of depth and shadow. It is quite astonishing how something as warm and soft as human skin can be depicted using the cold, hard, and sharp medium of steel screws. His stunning 3D creations of life from metal are something even the blind can appreciate.

Andrew Myers must be one of the most patient artists around: he creates stunning 3-dimensional portraits by drilling 8,000 to 10,000 individual screws into a plywood panel, then paints over the head of each screw to enhance the 3D effect. Source: Facebook/deMilked

“I consider this a traditional sculpture and all my screws are at different depths.” – Andrew Myers

Born in Germany and raised in Spain, since his early childhood, Andrew Myers has been artistically influenced by European life and culture. At the age of 20, he applied to the Art Institute of Southern California (now known as the Laguna College of Art and Design); with no previous art training, Myers was accepted based upon the natural talent his application portfolio evidenced. 

Many of his works have been highly acclaimed nationwide, but he’s probably most famous for his 3D Screw Portraits. What’s best is that Myers doesn’t rely on any computer software while drilling in the screws, he figures it out as he goes along. “For me, I consider this a traditional sculpture and all my screws are at different depths,” says the artist.

Source: BoredPanda.com Main Photo: Facebook/AMyersArt

Somewhere between a portrait and a sculpture, many of Myers' works rely on his keen eye for shadow, shape, and texture to add that extra element of three-dimensional illusion to each piece. The 3D element allows blind and visually impaired people to feel the depth and form of the features, just as they would with a real human face.
Portraits even the blind can appreciate Somewhere between a portrait and a sculpture, many of Myers’ works rely on his keen eye for shadow, shape, and texture to add that extra element of three-dimensional illusion to each piece. The 3D element allows blind and visually impaired people to feel the depth and form of the features, just as they would with a real human face. Source: BoredPanda.com

A blend of modern materials, classical techniques and universal subject matter

Myers blends modern material with classical figurative technique featuring a universal subject matter that is prevalent throughout his work. It is his unification of these three characteristics that results in the innovative and modern artwork that captivates viewers and has been so highly acclaimed nationwide.

Most recently, Myers has been working on public commissions, some of which include, St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in the Diocese of Orange, and a public work for the City of Laguna Beach, California, as well as several private client commissions.

Myers’ work graces the pages of LA Times’ Coastline Pilot, OC Register’s Laguna New Post, H Magazine, and NBC San Diego’s spread on The Port of San Diego Sculpture Show. Most recently, Myers placed 1st Sculpture at the highly acclaimed annual Sausalito Arts Festival, and 2nd in Sculptural Pursuit Magazine’s National Sculpture Competition and is featured in a 6 page spread of the July 2008 edition . Andrew Myers has also been featured on ABC’s Eye on LA, Orange County Edition and participates in several nationwide shows each year.

Below: "It’s been a long day" – 6,500 screws, oil paint, French newspaper from 1910-1932. 4’x4′.

Source: Facebook/aMyers

Source: ThisIsMarvelous.com
The 3D effect is achieved by positioning the screws at different depths.
The 3D effect is achieved by positioning the screws at different depths. Source: ThisIsMarvelous.com
6,500 screws, oil paint, French newspaper from 1910-1932, 4'x4' Not all of Andrew's work is made with screws, as a potrait of his sister, below, shows.
“It’s been a long day” 6,500 screws, oil paint, French newspaper from 1910-1932, 4’x4′
Not all of Andrew’s work is made with screws, as a potrait of his sister, below, shows. Source: ThisIsMarvelous.com
Not all Andrew’s art is screwy “Love You To Pieces”: Andrew’s newest work is a new study in creating sculpture using over 500 pieces of recycled wood that are inserted at varying depths into a 36″ x 36″ wood panel with a black automotive paint background. Each individual piece of wood is hand painted to create the portrait of his sister Caroline. Source: AndrewMyersArt.com

To view more of Andrew’s innovative creations "CLICK" to go direct to his website.

Make an Impact

101 arty and useful things you can create at home using everyday items

If Andrew's art has got you feeling all creative, here are 101 ideas of cool and useful arty ideas you can make at home with stuff you have lying around, from spare buttons to old t-shirts and bits of scrap wood. Get your creative juices flowing today and turn some of your clutter into works of art!