This large rolling ball sculpture is one of the most personalized pieces I’ve ever built. Rather than simply choosing the size and track elements, the clients asked me to tell the story of their life together—with the marbles traveling through and activating the memories along the way.

The story begins with the Williams arch in Williams, California, followed by the Golden Gate Bridge. From there, a bicycle has spinning wheels, fish swim around a snorkeling mask, and PLNU represents the college where the couple met. Their wedding comes next, with a bride and groom who move together for a kiss when activated by a marble.

The story continues with an angel, a skier descending a steep snowy mountain, their home with the sun rising behind it, and their growing family. Their youngest child holds a snake while jumping up and down. Disneyland’s castle and a large cruise ship complete the journey.

These aren’t simply decorations attached to the sculpture. The marbles roll through many of the scenes or trigger mechanisms that bring them to life, making the couple’s history part of the movement of the artwork itself.

This sculpture also has one of the most unusual ball lifts I’ve built. A large rotating metal ring carries the balls from the bottom back to the top. Designing the pickups so they could collect the balls, clear the motor mechanism, and then tip them cleanly onto the tracks at the top required an entirely different approach from my usual chain and helical lifts.

This is what I enjoy most about building a completely custom rolling ball sculpture: it can be designed around a person, a place, a company, or—as in this case—an entire story.

Handmade in the USA from 100% stainless steel and TIG welded.