When working with metal, it takes a true master to breathe life into their artwork. Russian artist Igor Verniy does just that with his beautiful and elegant articulated steampunk style animal sculptures. Their moving parts and Verniy’s attention to unique design makes them come alive.

A lot of work goes on behind the scenes before Verniy creates his steampunk artwork. He observes his creations’ living counterparts to ensure that he captures their movements just right. Then, he assembles them from various pieces of scrap metal and recycled materials – old car parts, bike parts, clock movements, tableware, and anything else that fits.

Bored Panda reached out to Igor to talk about his beautiful sculptures, so check out his responses below!

More info: Facebook | Etsy (h/t: laughingsquid, mymodernmet)

“At heart, I’m an artist and see the beauty of this world in bright colors, but I’m a technician, too,” Igor Verniy explained to Bored Panda. “The combination of these two qualities has led to the creation of metal sculpture art”

Igor says that he is inspired by the “outside world, in particular biology and the question of the origin of life and all natural sciences, and dreams about the future of human civilization”

“Many people bring me old items that I can make in my shop, but I also buy a lot of objects at flea markets and collect them in the garages of my brothers and friends. All parts are sorted by category”

“Feel free to dream childishly about unattainable things, because this always pushes people forward”