Bob Lillich (RL Baroni): Copper Sculpture

R L Baroni is the artist name of Robert Baroni Lillich. He was born in East Meadow, Long Island, New York and moved to Plymouth, Massachusetts eight years later. Brought up without a father and limited family income, he learned trades such as plumbing, carpentry and electrical from neighbor tradesmen. He also set up small businesses in his early teens to supplement family income. His mother Leah was very artistic in oil paintings, hooked rugs and was a dress designer in New York City.

After four years in the US Air Force as an Airborne Radio/Radar Technician, he graduated for Northeastern University with a BS degree in Industrial Engineering paying for all his tuition and living expense with the GI Bill and working several day and night jobs. After graduating he started working for General Electric and other manufacturing industries for thirty seven years as an engineer progressing to executive management.

After retiring from Daimler Chrysler, Thomas Built Buses in 1995, he started in earnest his life-time ambition to continue as full time Copper Sculptor and enjoy other favorite activities such as golfing, biking, tennis and reading. He continues to live in High Point, North Carolina with his wife Marti, a Tai Chi Instructor and ESL Teacher, working out of his studio and workshops creating copper and bronze sculptures. His son Dave Lillich lives and works in Los Angles, California as an Audio/Visual Specialist and his daughter Sue Gissal lives and works in Tampa, Florida as an Interior Designer with her husband John.

Copper and gold are the only two metals that have color. I worked with copper for more than twenty five years in industry and found that it is one of the most beautiful metals to create with. Copper possesses properties that allow the metal to be shaped into intriguing designs and with proper heat treating, beautiful colors; reds, greens, blues, gold, etc. can be captured from it.

My artwork is made from natural copper, bronze, granite, marble and rocks and is cut and formed by hand tools. The fastening of the metal is done by using special copper and bronze alloys. The granite and marble that I use is also hand cut and formed.

Most of my artwork is brightly colored by a special heating and rapid cooling process that I developed. I also use a chemical process to accelerate the patina effect on copper to obtain vivid blues and greens. I do not use any paint for coloring. I do use a thin protective coat on the metals to retain these colors.

I enjoy designing my artwork with original ideas and shaping them into life-like adaptations to show their character. I want each piece to be unique, natural and make a statement without words. My art work is on display in art galleries, medical facilities and financial institutions.