ALACHUA ‒ While the idea of hand-carving and coloring concrete on vertical surfaces has been around for at least two decades, its popularity is on the rise. Homeowners looking for something unique for a fireplace or outdoor kitchen, or for special applications such as waterfalls and counter tops, may find that concrete is the perfect answer. Concrete designs are durable and can be fashioned to create a contemporary or earthy mood.
As with other creative endeavors, there’s no one formula to create the structure as well as achieving the desired color and appearance. Each concrete artist has different techniques and formulas to create the realistic impression of wood or stone. While it can be used for interior uses like fireplaces and counter tops, the biggest market for carved vertical concrete involves the backyards of homes where concrete is much more durable than wood and less expensive than stone.
Keith Vermillion of Alachua is a vertical concrete artist. After he retired from his professional career, he began making vertical concrete creations as a hobby 11 years ago. Now it has become a second career for him.
“I always had a love of building and construction as a hobby, and at 25 I helped build my first housing project, a log cabin for a family member,” said Vermillion. “My career took me in a different direction, but the passion for building was always there.
“When I discovered vertical concrete carving, it offered me an opportunity to blend construction with creative artistic ideas, and now it has become a business.”
The concrete mix is different than standard concrete mix, and different methods and products yield their own characteristics. Using a special concrete mix that is thicker than standard use solidifies faster and allows the artist to carve different shapes and sizes to emulate various surfaces. Any vertical build starts with a support for the concrete to build on. These include foam, wood, cement board or a metal lathe. The concrete mix is applied and carved to create the realistic impression of wood or stone. Once the mixture dries, the artist then applies various colored stains to give a sense of depth or color.
Vermillion’s technique begins with a cement board and a metal lathe to create the structural base. “I then apply the concrete between 1-3 inches thick to allow for carving the shape and create depth.”
Vermillion creates all carved shapes by hand. “Once the design is done, I apply the water-based stain, using three to four different colors to make it look realistic to the material it emulates, whether it is stone or wood.”
Vermillion works on commission as each project is unique, talking to each client about what they want and then he creates it with concrete. Most of his clientele comes from word of mouth. “I don’t really advertise much since each job is a unique creation, and I don’t need to work full time in my retirement.”
Vermillion enjoys what he does, especially creative projects, and he is always open to new projects where he can utilize his talents and creativity. Anyone interested in discussing an idea or project can contact him by email at vermillioncustomconcrete@gmail.com.
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Email rcarson@
alachuatoday.com
ALACHUA ‒ While the idea of hand-carving and coloring concrete on vertical surfaces has been around for at least two decades, its popularity is on the rise. Homeowners looking for something unique for a fireplace or outdoor kitchen, or for special applications such as waterfalls and counter tops, may find that concrete is the perfect answer. Concrete designs are durable and can be fashioned to create a contemporary or earthy mood.
As with other creative endeavors, there’s no one formula to create the structure as well as achieving the desired color and appearance. Each concrete artist has different techniques and formulas to create the realistic impression of wood or stone. While it can be used for interior uses like fireplaces and counter tops, the biggest market for carved vertical concrete involves the backyards of homes where concrete is much more durable than wood and less expensive than stone.
Keith Vermillion of Alachua is a vertical concrete artist. After he retired from his professional career, he began making vertical concrete creations as a hobby 11 years ago. Now it has become a second career for him.
“I always had a love of building and construction as a hobby, and at 25 I helped build my first housing project, a log cabin for a family member,” said Vermillion. “My career took me in a different direction, but the passion for building was always there.
“When I discovered vertical concrete carving, it offered me an opportunity to blend construction with creative artistic ideas, and now it has become a business.”
The concrete mix is different than standard concrete mix, and different methods and products yield their own characteristics. Using a special concrete mix that is thicker than standard use solidifies faster and allows the artist to carve different shapes and sizes to emulate various surfaces. Any vertical build starts with a support for the concrete to build on. These include foam, wood, cement board or a metal lathe. The concrete mix is applied and carved to create the realistic impression of wood or stone. Once the mixture dries, the artist then applies various colored stains to give a sense of depth or color.
Vermillion’s technique begins with a cement board and a metal lathe to create the structural base. “I then apply the concrete between 1-3 inches thick to allow for carving the shape and create depth.”
Vermillion creates all carved shapes by hand. “Once the design is done, I apply the water-based stain, using three to four different colors to make it look realistic to the material it emulates, whether it is stone or wood.”
Vermillion works on commission as each project is unique, talking to each client about what they want and then he creates it with concrete. Most of his clientele comes from word of mouth. “I don’t really advertise much since each job is a unique creation, and I don’t need to work full time in my retirement.”
Vermillion enjoys what he does, especially creative projects, and he is always open to new projects where he can utilize his talents and creativity. Anyone interested in discussing an idea or project can contact him by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
# # #
Email rcarson@
alachuatoday.com