M Foster
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builtbyfoster.bsky.social
M Foster
@builtbyfoster.bsky.social
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I make metal art out of salvaged and recycled metal.

Www.builtbyfoster.net

https://builtbyfoster.etsy.com
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builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Dragon commission done. Dropped this guy off yesterday. I’m happy with how it turned out. Right about 22” tall at the top of the wings. Made with 100% salvaged metal. #dragon #art #sculpture #metalart #fantasy #recycled
Scrap metal dragon sculpture. Leathery looking wings a partially open, long claws at the ends of the wing spines. Dragon is facing to the right, mouth open showing large fangs. The tail wraps around the side of the body and has a loop in it. The body is made of scales cut from circular saw blades and other bits of machinery. Both the front and rear shoulders/hips have various bike gears and tools giving the shape.
October 28, 2025 at 1:25 PM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
This year’s Tiki Prizes. These are for the winner of best tiki attire, drink and appetizer at our friend’s annual Tiki Party. This year’s theme was rockabilly. So I tried to incorporate as much rockabilly symbolism as I could #tiki #art #tikiart #sculpture #rockabilly
Front view of 4 polished piston skulls mounted to gears. The spines are twisted square bar with a pair of dice in the middle Top 3/4 view of 4 polished piston skulls mounted to gears. On the top of each skull is a different rockabilly symbol. 8 Ball, Spade, Heart and the number 13 Close up view of the twisted square bar “spine” and the pair of dice in the middle.
September 29, 2025 at 7:47 PM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Haven’t posted anything since Eddie the Sea Turtle. So, I just sold my Angler Fish at the #pvartsfest so grateful. Got to deliver it on Sunday.
September 17, 2025 at 2:03 AM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Sea Turtle. Finished this guy up yesterday. Pretty stoked on how it came out. All salvaged scrap, the seagrass is salvaged copper pipe.

#art #sculpture #metalart #seaturtle
Scrap metal sea turtle swimming from right to left. Base is a large flywheel with a brown patina. The swaying seagrass is recycled copper pipe with a green patina. To the left of the base is a 12oz can just for scale. The edge of the turtle shell is the same brown patina as the base. In the center of the shell is a large orange-ish gear surrounded by small chains, typewriter parts, clock springs and gears. The fins are outlined with bike chain, and filled in with shiny brass clock gears and other bike parts, along with typewriter parts and miscellaneous hardware
July 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Turtle is progressing. This is turning pretty nice, I think. Patina is done. I’m redoing the sea grass, once that is done, I should be able to call it finished.
Scrap metal turtle sculpture, swimming from right to left in this picture. The fins are made with a bike chain outline and various typewriter, bike and clock parts. Some of the brass clock gears are very polished. The shell outline is steel squares with a brownish patina. The inside of the shell is a large orange gear and other gears of varying sizes. There are also clock gears and springs, bike chain, a pressure gauge (covered in green tape due to clear coating) and some other heavier chain pieces.
June 24, 2025 at 2:35 AM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
WIP progress on the turtle, patina for the sea grass turned out alright. Pretty happy with the progress so far.
June 9, 2025 at 5:01 AM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Turtle progress. Pretty good idea on the base, and decided on making some sea grass out of salvaged copper pipe. Still a ways to go.
Scrap metal steampunk style sea turtle sculpture. A large orange gear is the center of the shell, miscellaneous gears and chain make up the rest of the inner shell. The outer edge of the shell is shiny steel with bronze accents. The turtle is swimming from right to left. The fins are outlined with bicycle chain and filled with a variety of of small typewriter parts and clock gears. The base is an automotive flywheel. Growing out of the base is salvaged copper seagrass
May 27, 2025 at 7:16 PM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Sea turtle-WIP. Coming along nicely, I think. Now that the flippers are attached and there is a head it looks a bit more turtley.
Partially finished sea turtle made of recycled bike parts, clock gears and miscellaneous scrap. This angle shows top front left view. Front right view of a sea turtle sculpture in progress. The head is turned to the right and slightly tilted. Bike chain makes up part of the shell, and the outer edge of the flippers Close up view of the sea turtle head. Ball bearing eye and the lower jaw is made up of screws.
May 15, 2025 at 1:56 AM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Horse head sculpture I finished up early last year. I named him Pappanick from a Seinfeld episode. Lots of hours in this, and it’s heavy. Turned out pretty good, I think. #art #sculpture #wildhorses #horse #scrapmetalart
Left side view of a horse head sculpture made from salvaged parts. Including retired tools, auto parts, machine parts and lots of hardware. Heavy tow chain makes up the mane, 2 sizes of roller chain encircle the base. The ears are adorned with bike gears and outlined with chainsaw chain. Right side view of a horse head sculpture made from salvaged parts. Including retired tools, auto parts, machine parts and lots of hardware. Heavy tow chain makes up the mane, 2 sizes of roller chain encircle the base. The ears are adorned with bike gears and outlined with chainsaw chain. Left/front side view of a horse head sculpture made from salvaged parts. Including retired tools, auto parts, machine parts and lots of hardware. Heavy tow chain makes up the mane, 2 sizes of roller chain encircle the base. The ears are adorned with bike gears and outlined with chainsaw chain. Left/rear side view of a horse head sculpture made from salvaged parts. Including retired tools, auto parts, machine parts and lots of hardware. Heavy tow chain makes up the mane, 2 sizes of roller chain encircle the base. The ears are adorned with bike gears and outlined with chainsaw chain.
March 19, 2025 at 8:54 PM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
WIP. Progress on the first turtle flipper. This was originally going to have fewer parts. That didn’t really work out. Reasonably happy so far.
Steampunk type turtle sculpture, work in Progress. Lots of gears and roller chain, pressure gauge. Close up of the flipper work in progress. Outline is bike chain, inside are clock gears, bike parts and miscellaneous hardware
March 16, 2025 at 3:19 AM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
In honor of Pi Day. A selection of Pi Boxes I have done over the years.
Small metal box with an inlay in brass of 2 pi symbols A small round metal box with a copper hinge and a brass inlay of the pi symbol. A small box shaped a bit like a house. This has a removable lid. A brass inlay of the pi symbol is on the front. This box was made with well worn and weathered piece of rectangular tubing. A box that looks like a book. The cover and spine have the pi symbol carved into them. The rest of the cover has a brown patina that looks like leather.
March 14, 2025 at 11:31 PM
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WIP. This is the back of a sea turtle. Still a bit to do on this part.
March 10, 2025 at 1:43 AM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Finished Robot. This is Little Timmy. Vintage robot, or robot made from vintage parts. 😃. #art #robot #metalart #propellerhat #scifi
Right side view of a vintage looking robot. Body is green with natural patina, he is holding a balloon in his left hand. An old movie projector lens is the eye, he has a colorful propeller hat. Various engine parts make up the legs and large shoes. Front view of a vintage looking robot. Body is green with natural patina, he is holding a balloon in his left hand. An old movie projector lens is the eye, he has a colorful propeller hat. Various engine parts make up the legs and large shoes. Rear view of a vintage looking robot. Body is green with natural patina, he is holding a balloon in his left hand. This angle shows some of the gears and inner workings of the robot. He has a colorful propeller hat. Various engine parts make up the legs and large shoes. Left side view of a vintage looking robot. Body is green with natural patina, he is holding a balloon in his left hand. An old movie projector lens is the eye, he has a colorful propeller hat. Various engine parts make up the legs and large shoes.
March 4, 2025 at 12:48 AM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Robot, current WIP

#art #robot #scrapmetalart #sculpture #fair
Monocular robot made from a cylinder valve cover and lens from a vintage movie projector. This little guy looks like he came from the fair. He has a balloon and a colorful propeller hat.
February 24, 2025 at 2:50 AM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Marcelino the Rooster. 100% salvage and recycled parts. #art #fineart #rooster #metalsculpture #recycle
Right side view of a beautiful rooster made from retired tools, salvaged scrap metal, typewriter parts and silverware. Can shows scale. The tail is made up of colorful screwdrivers, typewriter keys, hay fork tines and some other miscellaneous tools Left side view of a beautiful rooster made from retired tools, salvaged scrap metal, typewriter parts and silverware. Wings are made from salvaged shelf brackets and cutlery. The tail is made up of colorful screwdrivers, typewriter keys, hay fork tines and some other miscellaneous tools Right/front side view of a beautiful crowing rooster made from retired tools, salvaged scrap metal, typewriter parts and silverware. The tail is made up of colorful screwdrivers, typewriter keys, hay fork tines and some other miscellaneous tools. One foot is slightly raised compared to the other. Very colorful view of the rooster tail showing the yellow, orange, green and red screwdriver handles as well as the typewriter keys. The “center” rail feather is an old oil can pour spout.
February 17, 2025 at 5:27 PM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Seahorse sculpture. Made from gears, roller chains, typewriter parts and lots of miscellaneous hardware. #art #seahorse #sculpture #salvagedmetalart #recycle
Seahorse, left rear 3/4 view. Body made from a gear and various sizes of roller chain. The dorsal fin is made up of typewriter keys. There is a small pressure gauge on the back. Red adding machine keys make up the fins on the top of the head. The seahorse is mounted to a brake disc. Seahorse, right front 3/4 view. Body made from a gear and various sizes of roller chain. The dorsal fin is made up of typewriter keys. There is a small pressure gauge on the back. Red adding machine keys make up the fins on the top of the head. The seahorse is mounted to a brake disc. Right side close up of the body of the seahorse. This really shows the typewriter keys, the gear for the neck and miscellaneous hardware that makes up the head. The side fins are part of a vent for some type of machinery. Left front 3/4 view close up of the seahorse head. The nose is part of a transmission. The eye is made from a ball bearing and bronze, the heat coloring on the eye gives a really nice organic appearance. Some of the typewriter keys that make up the dorsal fin are visible in the background as well as the side fins, which have some blue heat coloring on the outer edge.
February 13, 2025 at 12:13 AM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Rooster progress. Getting close to being done. Overall I’m pretty happy with how this is turning out. #art #sculpture #metalart #rooster #salvagedart #recycle
Crowing Rooster sculpture, looking left. Body is made from retired tools, silverware, shelf brackets, lots of typewriter parts. The colorful tail is composed of primarily retired screwdrivers and typewriter keys. The feet have an organic meets machine feel. Made with bolts, roller chain, and additive welding. Crowing Rooster sculpture, looking right. Body is made from retired tools, silverware, shelf brackets, lots of typewriter parts. The colorful tail is composed of primarily retired screwdrivers and typewriter keys. The feet have an organic meets machine feel. Made with bolts, roller chain, and additive welding. Crowing Rooster sculpture, left/rear 3/4 view. Body is made from retired tools, silverware, shelf brackets, lots of typewriter parts. The colorful tail is composed of primarily retired screwdrivers and typewriter keys. The feet have an organic meets machine feel. Made with bolts, roller chain, and additive welding. Crowing Rooster sculpture, looking right. Body is made from retired tools, silverware, shelf brackets, lots of typewriter parts. The colorful tail is composed of primarily retired screwdrivers and typewriter keys. The feet have an organic meets machine feel. Made with bolts, roller chain, and additive welding.
February 10, 2025 at 1:35 AM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Nautilus from a salvaged truck turbo, copper pipe, tools and a plumbing snake. #art #metalart #sculpture #nautilus #recycled #ocean
Rear view of a Nautilis paid from a salvaged truck turbo. Good detail of the copper going around the turbo sits on a base me from an old gear. Right side view of the salvaged truck turbo Nautilis this angle shows pliers around the ball bearing eyes. The tentacles are made from a salvaged, plumbing, snake and old tools. Left side view of the salvaged truck turbo Nautilis this angle is a close-up of the eye and the gear inside the turbo. This shows the brown patina and copper contrast. Front view of the tentacles of the salvage truck turbo Nautilis close-up of the tool attachments on the tentacles with the body of the Nautilis and the base in the “background”
February 4, 2025 at 10:49 PM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Commissioned dog sculpture using my client’s grandfather’s (he was an airplane mechanic during WWII) tools. Really great and humbling project to do #art #metalsculpture #dogart #repurposed #metalart
Right side view of a sitting retriever. Made primarily from retired tools and miscellaneous hardware. The ears are made out of a toolbox then covered in salvaged nails. The “hair” on the hips and shoulders is garage door spring. Left/front view of a sitting retriever. Made primarily from retired tools and miscellaneous hardware. The ears are made out of a toolbox then covered in salvaged nails. The “hair” on the hips and shoulders and tail is garage door spring. The collar is old chain and there is a tag with my client’s grandfather’s name on it. The tag was on his tool box, which was used to make the shape of the ears. Rear/left side view of a sitting retriever. Made primarily from retired tools and miscellaneous hardware. The ears are made out of a toolbox then covered in salvaged nails. The “hair” on the hips and shoulders is garage door spring. You can see wrenches, sockets, hammerheads, pipe wrenches and lots of miscellaneous stuff. Even some wood handled pieces. Front/Right side view of a sitting retriever. Made primarily from retired tools and miscellaneous hardware. The ears are made out of a toolbox then covered in salvaged nails. The “hair” on the hips and shoulders is garage door spring. I tried to capture the look of an attentive pup looking up expectantly, maybe to go for a walk or get a treat
February 2, 2025 at 4:26 PM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
This cute little fish is made from salvaged bike parts, retired tools, and random parts. The fins are bike sprockets and copper pipe that was formed for the fins/tail. There are blue LED lights in the "lantern" as well as both eyes. #metalart #anglerfish #fineart #sculpture #salvagedart #ocean
Upper front view of an Angler Fish made from scrap metal. This view really shows the mouth full of teeth made from various sized nails. The "lips" are heavy automotive bolts that were forged into shape, and some gearing from a bike was added to the lower "lip" The eyes and lantern light up with a blue LED as can be seen in the left eye in this view. Right side view of an Angler Fish sculpture. Made from scrap tools, hardware, bike parts and in this view a salvaged pressure gauge. There is a beer bottle for scale. The copper fins offer a nice contrast to the darker steel of the body. Left side view of an Angler Fish sculpture. Made from scrap tools, hardware, bike parts, and even some engine parts. There is a beer bottle for scale. The copper fins offer a nice contrast to the darker steel of the body. Rear/right side view of the Angler Fish Sculpture. This view shows the tail nicely, made from copper and a bike sprocket. The base is an old wheel or pulley with a stand on it that the fish can swivel on.
January 31, 2025 at 9:28 PM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
This is a little terrier I recently finished up. Made from 100% salvaged materials, bike parts, tools, hardware. Life sized, modeled after a Jack Russel. #dogsculpture #jackrussel #fineart #metalart #salvagedmetalart #sculpture
Right side view of a life size sculpture of a Jack Russel Terrier. There is a beer bottle for scale. The sculpture is made from salvaged hardware, retired tools, and salvaged bike parts as well as a number of other items. Right/Rear side view of a life size sculpture of a Jack Russel Terrier. There is a beer bottle for scale. The sculpture is made from salvaged hardware, retired tools, and salvaged bike parts as well as a number of other items. This view shows the curvature of the tail and wrenches in the back leg Front/Left side view of a life size sculpture of a Jack Russel Terrier. There is a beer bottle for scale. The sculpture is made from salvaged hardware, retired tools, and salvaged bike parts as well as a number of other items. You can see the face and ears from this angle. If you look closely there is a heart on the chest. Front/Right side view of a life size sculpture of a Jack Russel Terrier. There is a beer bottle for scale. The sculpture is made from salvaged hardware, retired tools, and salvaged bike parts as well as a number of other items.
January 30, 2025 at 8:51 PM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
White Rhino Head Sculpture I completed 2023. I built this around the eyes. 2 antique brass doorknobs. The rest is made from a mix of salvaged machine parts, retired tools and lots of miscellaneous hardware. Everything on this is recycled. #rhino #fineart #sculpture #metalart #salvagedmetal #art
Left side of white rhino head sculpture. Mounted on a base made from transmission gears. The rhino head is made from salvaged tools and hardware. Mixed levels of shine. Right side of white rhino head sculpture. Mounted on a base made from transmission gears. The rhino head is made from salvaged tools and hardware. Mixed levels of shine. Beer can for scale. Front/left side of white rhino head sculpture. This angle shows the nose made from ball valves and mouth made from forged automotive bolts. Mounted on a base made from transmission gears. The rhino head is made from salvaged tools and hardware. Mixed levels of shine. Rear/left side of white rhino head sculpture. Showing the back detail. Mounted on a base made from transmission gears. The rhino head is made from salvaged tools and hardware. Mixed levels of shine. This angle shows the detail in the ears, made from sheet metal and bicycle gears. The outer edge is a chainsaw chain, really gives shape and texture.
January 29, 2025 at 2:12 PM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
Current work in progress. Have had a rooster on my list for a long time. I think it’s coming along nicely.
Right side of a rooster made from salvaged metal parts, tools, and typewriter parts. The tail is bent screwdrivers and typewriter keys. The rooster looks like it is crowing Left side of a rooster made from salvaged metal parts, tools, and typewriter parts. The tail is bent screwdrivers and typewriter keys. The rooster looks like it is crowing
January 27, 2025 at 1:57 AM
builtbyfoster.bsky.social
This is Kirby the Bull. Made from an old Kirby vacuum and salvaged copper water pipe. Mounted on a “shield” of wood that was a table top rescued from going to landfill.

#bull #metalart #bullshead
Front view of an abstract bull head. Made from a Kirby vacuum cleaner and copper pipe for horns. It has been polished. Mounted to a dark brown wood shield 3/4 front left side view of an abstract bull head. Made from a Kirby vacuum cleaner and copper pipe for horns. It has been polished. Mounted to a dark brown wood shield Front/right side view of an abstract bull head. Made from a Kirby vacuum cleaner and copper pipe for horns. It has been polished. Mounted to a dark brown wood shield
January 26, 2025 at 4:16 PM