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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Feathers in metal

Fiona is a feather person - on our walks we have to pause and pick up stray feathers shed by our local birds. Fiona uses them in a variety of ways but particularly mono prints on hand made paper.

Anyway over the weekend amongst other things I had committed myself to making a stash of leaves our of some of the recycled brass I annealed on Friday. At the end of my beating session on Saturday, I thought I'd have a go a prototype of a fold-formed feather. It turned out OK; but was told by the mistress of feathers (in the nicest possible and supportive way) that it was a bit out of proportion and looked a bit liked a cross between a leaf and a feather.

So two more prototypes later I think I have cracked it - a piece of brass that looks feather-like - photo below. The feather pictured below is about 150mm long.

Barry Smith© Feather in brass
The first and second examples are below; as is the image of all three together. Close inspection will indicate that I improved the shape and the shaft of the feather. The shaft is better resolved on the third prototype.

Barry Smith © Feather - prototype 1

Barry Smith © Prototype 2
Barry Smith © A flight of feathers?
And by the way, Fiona claimed the third prototype as her own .

Barry Smith © Fiona's feather
Feathers could become one of my new things.
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18 comments:

  1. Noela MillsJune 26, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    ooooh - wonderful - mini ones to use in Bazola???? xoxoxooxo

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  2. A mermaid in the atticJune 26, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    I'm a 'feather person' too...and a leaf person...and a shell person...and rocks, driftwood, sticks...but I digress! This is absolutely gorgeous, I love it.

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  3. ArtPropelledJune 26, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    I would have had trouble deciding between 2 and 3. Great new ideas, Barry!

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  4. ValeriannaJune 26, 2011 at 11:57 PM

    I'm a feather person as well - I think it'd be great if feathers become one of your new things... and I like the kind of ambiguity of the ones that look leaf-feather like, why not?

    Enjoying my leaf sitting next to me as I write, such wonderful undulations and textures....

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  5. Anna MavromatisJune 27, 2011 at 12:58 AM

    lucky Fiona!!!

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  6. LisaJune 27, 2011 at 1:03 AM

    fabulous!! a natural progression I'd say...

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  7. Jo MurrayJune 27, 2011 at 4:01 AM

    Feathers are good, but I like leaves too. Good work Barry.

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  8. Jo MurrayJune 27, 2011 at 4:06 AM

    Feathers are good, but I like leaves too. Good work Barry.

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  9. AmandaJune 27, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    Really beautiful pieces Barry. I would love to hold one - I love the idea that they would be cold, hard, heavy in the hand - such a contrast to a real feather.

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  10. alisonJune 27, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Barry these are just beautiful. I have never tried sculpture but admire them.

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  11. Luthien ThyeJune 27, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    F knows her feathers indeed! i would have chosen the one she chose :) these would be wonderful for dream-catchers ... perchance you might be able to combine these feathers and your light catcher concept into a dreamcatcher shrine using your sculpting mastery? ... hmmm... does this sound like a challenge :p

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  12. BarryJune 27, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    N, MIA, R, V, L, JM, Am, Al & LT - Thanks for sharing the joy of this new attempt. N- not sure it will translate to Bazola. MIA - glad you enjoy all things light and magical. R - I agree the feather shapes of 2&3 are good bit it was the shaft that made 3 a better piece. L - always good to be exploring new extensions? JM - quite a connection between leaves and feathers. Am - great thing about the metal is that our warmth infuses the metal and the two come in balance. Al - thanks - then again I don't do a lot with paper as you do. LT -hmmmm!! now that is a challenge - I will think on that. Go well all. B

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  13. Ken MunsieJune 27, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Baz ...
    love 'em ... but who is going to break the news to Audrey !!!!

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  14. LeoviJune 28, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    These bright feathers metal contrast beautifully with the fine textures of the oxide of tin, really beautiful. I like. Very good.

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  15. BarryJune 28, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    K- thanks. Maybe you can tell A she is not the only feather person in the village. L - glad you liked the contrast of polished metal against the rust - I enjoy it. B

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  16. Velma BolyardJune 28, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    sometimes i think htat certain feathers are left for me for a reason. how egocentric is that? but it's true. i look for the portent, especially in crow feathers. i like the middle one...and look forward to seeing more.

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  17. GabriellaJune 29, 2011 at 3:31 AM

    Barry, how good that you and F have each other as kindred spirits and mutual inspiration and also helpful advisors! I'm glad you listened to her on this one. They are all lovely, but the last one is perfection! So light and delicate and so ironic that it is of a material completely unfeatherlike.

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  18. herhimnbrynJune 29, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Beautiful feather B.

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Comments are welcomed - it is good to connect with fellow travellers.