On Sunday afternoon I managed to get a couple of hours to starts making some bits for a fellow artist; and also trying out making feathers from anodised aluminium. But I did not get time to do polishing - that will have to wait until Friday as we are on the road for work-work.
I have been given a few items of blue anodised aluminium. Whist water and fish etc come to mind I did not think I would be using it to create leaves; but maybe weed flowers??? However, Fiona asked if I would have a try at making Blue Wren feathers - so below are a couple of feathers in the rough. We will see if they look more feather like when they are polished.
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| Barry Smith © Blue (wren) feathers in the rough |
I'm also in the process of making bits for jewellery. I always like how rough and un-jewllike the foldformed pieces are when they have gone through a couple annealings. But again I'm sure the magic of polishing will bring out their shiny spirit.
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| Barry Smith © Brass jewellery bits in the rough |
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| Barry Smith © Copper jewellery bits in the rough |
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| Barry Smith © Copper jewellery bits in the rough |
So I know what I will be doing on Friday afternoon next week.
the blue aluminum is such a find! i love fiona's idea of feathers - and these look to be wonderful...
ReplyDeletethose bits are fantastic... metal is just the best material - such interest in the finish after applications of flame, but such potential in other ways once polished and ready for other techniques...
do you prefer working on a smaller or larger scale? or just like the flexibility of being able to do either?
it's always a thrill to see your process Barry..and the amazing transformations that take place from bits in the rough!
ReplyDeleteI have a greater appreciation of the work you do Barry, since doing a silver workshop. Blue Wren feathers are inspired.
ReplyDeleteThose feathers just take my breath away - amazing! Loving the bits in the rough...
ReplyDeleteMD, L, JM & S - glad you liked the stuff in the rough. Always A bit of an issue - the rough bits have so much texture and character - but the polishing can bring out the contrast - see how I go tomorrow. MD&S - the blue aluminium is rich and the feather forms are so light and wispy - I'll try not to overwork them - Fiona will be the judge on these. JM - saw your silver workshop post - looked like an interesting experience - there are a few steps in the process for sure. L- I never cease to be thrilled by taking scraps of abandoned metal and reshape them and even in the rough see that they have begun anew life. Go well and create well. B
ReplyDeletewow Barry! the blues are just gorgeous... so rich!! and your foldformed pieces are ever so intriguing ... i have yet to use the ones i received from you ... every time i take them out meaning to use them i will put them back again ... i'll tell myself that i'll think of a better project to use them in. you know what, it just occurred to me, that i'm probably unconsciously hogging them!!
ReplyDeletethat blue is much fun!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see how the gorgeous blue feathers look when finished. Beautiful right now anyway.
ReplyDeleteMy friend who received the first leaf was just thrilled to bits with it. I knew she would be. Others still to be distributed.
Have you seen this blog with an iphoneography challenge?
http://bit.ly/reRV96 Looks like fun.
L, V & C - yes that blue is pretty dynamic - glad Fiona suggested feathers - I will need to refine it a bit. L - I had to laugh about your "hogging" comment - but then again the bits of metal are beautiful in their own way; and will be used when the time, if the time is right - in the meantime hog and smile. C- thanks for the iPhoneography link - will try to do that. Go well. B
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