A Tree of Life in Metal: Collaborating with Lisa Rauchwerger for Hospice of the Valley

Over a year ago, I received a phone call from my friend and fellow artist, Lisa Rauchwerger, about a commission she was considering. The project was for a 6′ x 8′ Tree of Life in metal incorporating stoneware flowers from a previous sculpture for Hospice of the Valley at Sutter Health in Saratoga, California. It sounded exciting and deeply meaningful — she didn’t want to miss the opportunity.

There was just one challenge: Lisa is a paper cutter, illustrator, Hebrew/Torah scholar/teacher and chef, but she had never worked with metal and didn’t have a workshop. When she called asking for advice, I laughed and said, “You need more than advice — you need a partner!”

Lisa and I have admired each other’s work for more than thirty years, so collaborating felt completely natural. She brought her elegant tree design, and together we began translating it into metal — a whole new medium for her, and an inspiring creative journey for both of us.

We had a large aluminum backing custom cut, and then attached hand-cut copper pieces on top. We spent weeks experimenting with different patinas and finishes, learning how torchlight could bring out blues, ambers, and golds in the metal. Each branch and leaf was cut by hand with shears, then riveted with handmade copper nails. Slowly, the tree began to come to life — glowing, textured, and full of warmth.

What began as a question over the phone turned into a year and a half of collaboration, problem-solving, and discovery. The finished sculpture now hangs proudly at Hospice of the Valley, a shimmering Tree of Life that celebrates renewal, compassion, and friendship.

For Lisa, it was her first copper sculpture. For both of us, it was a reminder of how creativity can take root and grow in unexpected ways — especially when shared.