The fourth element is made of metal.

The Painted Gecko on 3775 E. Fort Lowell St. shows metal art strongly inspired by the U.S.-Mexico border.

The following slideshow gives a little insight into the work of a metal artist. Today, a lot is made easier by computers. Big sheets of cold, rolled steel are cut by a machine where the designers can enter a pre-designed motif. The machine then follows the program continuously.

Nevertheless, every other little step needs a lot of elbow grease. All the steps from designing, painting, polishing, to putting the sculpture together, are done exclusively by hand.

And of course, customers appreciate the hand-made art. Many items are custom-made, especially metal gates, which are high up on the request list.