Art can be electrifying
By Anne-Kathryn Bultman
Anne@TheColumbiaStar.com

Truman Teed demonstrates how he creates art pieces using a control transformer to burn a layer of oxides onto titanium. His paint is a mixture of soap and water. The clock is made from styrofoam, paper towel rolls, and decorated with titanium pieces.

Art comes in many shapes and sizes. Any type of material can be used in the design process. For example, paper, cardboard, and even titanium can become the canvas.

Andozing titanium to create colors began in England many years ago, and Truman Teed, an art professor for 30 years at USC continues to use this medium. Teed first heard about the art form when he took several students to a workshop about titanium jewelry. He now anodizes titanium to create ornaments, nativity scenes, clocks, and even pieces for his garden.

To bring the colors to life, Teed uses a control transformer to burn a layer of oxides onto the metal. This process controls the amount of color that develops on the titanium. Teed connects the piece of titanium to the transformer through a negative current while the paintbrush, which he dips in soap and water is connected to the positive current. The parts he doesn't want colored, he covers with tape. He cuts out parts of the tape for the designs he wants.

"The level of voltage controls what color you get," said Teed. "Green is the highest number, which is 80, about 50 volts gives you orange, and 20 volts gives you a purplish- blue color."

Teed does his craft in his home, which is decorated with much of his artwork. One of the garden pieces created out of titanium has been in the backyard for 20 years. Teed says he brings it in once every year to clean whether it needs it or not.

Although Teed is retired from teaching, he continues to follow the advice he used to give students.

"You can never make a mistake in your work. It's only a mistake if your mind lets you think it is," said Teed.