Chad Haselden just scratching the surface with his 'Attempt at Alchemy'

Etched onto a piece of copper canvas, there is a scroll of paper tied to a cluster of balloons. The title of the work is "Dear God" and will be one of the many new pieces featured Friday night at Scoop Studios for the opening reception of Chad Haselden's solo show, "Attempt at Alchemy."

Haselden creates his art by engraving, painting or drawing on copper and then applying different acids to create colorful chemical reactions. Torches, engravers, hammers, metal plating chemicals, paint, markers and etching salts are just some of the tools that Haselden uses.

He is currently working on metal menus for Fish Restaurant as well as collaborating with a carpenter to create a furniture fabrication project in addition to constantly producing new art. Haselden creates large-scale pieces that range from abstract to representational.

"My inspiration comes from all directions. Usually, whatever grabs my attention: nature, architecture, music, a word or a phrase, an expression on someone's face, a conversation with a stranger," he said.

Haselden's work is striking. The colors, the detail and the texture are stunning and inspiring.

"I feel as though I have only scratched the surface with this medium of copper. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve," he said.

Next Event: Solo Show "Attempt at Alchemy," Scoop Studios, 57 1/2 Broad St., Friday, 5-8 p.m., Free.

Website: www.copperhaze.com (coming soon), www.ikmtp.com, www.scoopcontemporary.com.

Contact: cparadox@bellsouth.net.

Birth date and place: July 1971, Johnsonville.

Residence: Mount Pleasant, 11 years.

Family: Wife, Shelley; daughter, Reese, 8; son, Mason, 10; dog, Bella, 3, bloodhound.

Education: Associate of Science, Greenville Tech; School of hard knocks.

Career: Artist/fabricator/aspiring alchemist.

Goal: Make a living making art.

Price Range: $200-$4,000

Where your artwork is featured locally: Scoop Studios; Fish, 442 King St.; Tasty Thai, 350 King St.