Not a lot of time for hands on creative art at the moment. I'm still catching up with things (particularly weeds) about the block; and doing computer (paperless) work of both a work-work and community nature. But one little respite and way to feed the art soul has been to grab bits of time and beat metal such as this handful of tiny foldformed brass leaves.
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| Barry Smith © A stash of tiny brass leaves |
I have a commission to make about 25 tiny leaves (3/4-1 inch long) that the client wants to use to create a unique piece for a ceremony. Whilst I have not got thinking space and time for bigger art pieces, it has been good to have this set task so I can duck downstairs into the garage studio and hammer a little litter of leaves on the anvil from time to time.
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| Barry Smith © Cut pieces of annealed recycled brass. |
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| Barry Smith © Folded and cut to shape |
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| Barry Smith © Formed and ready for second annealing |
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| Barry Smith © An anvil full of opened foldformed leaves |
As you can see from the photos above I have gone from small pieces of annealed brass to about 30 tiny leaves; and this time just to challenge myself I did make one 1/2 leaf. These leaves are in the rough (but some of like them like that - some beautiful colours); and will get a polish - maybe on Friday. When you look at the stash of leaves in the palm of my hands it hardly looks like 30 pieces of beaten brass.
There is beauty in the small and these leaves look so real. Little windblow treasures
ReplyDeleteLove those tiny leaves...the color is so varied and wonderful in that last photo.
ReplyDeleteJenni
they are beautiful... so glad you have this outlet in the midst of all the obligations that need attending to... you have such discipline in your work style... i admire that...
ReplyDeletePure alchemy!!! Turning those bits of metal into such beautiful tiny leaves is wonderful....so beautiful!
ReplyDeletei never cease to be amazed at your talent for creating these tiny unique treasures that beg to be held...
ReplyDeleteI love those little leaves you have created, great texture and shape.
ReplyDeletethe colors are just so gorgeous B!! so earthy and serene and natural ... cannot believe that these are metal, they look super real!! gonna have to tumblr this ...!!
ReplyDeleteOhboyohboy... keep it up Barry... I really would like two of those little beauties with holes cut in the stem end to make some earrings. The copper ones with the dark edges look gorgeous... but then so do they all.
ReplyDeleteIt's the only way to stay sane in this crazy word or at least from the mundane chores we have, isn't it. Truly a hand full of sunshine you have there.
ReplyDeleteTruly beautiful - you know I love those colours in the last photo! Thirty of them - in my mind I am seeing them dangling from strings and hearing them chiming gently in the breeze...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. They will be treasured by those who receive them.
ReplyDeleteVA, J, MD, P (MB), Lisa, L, LT, JM, SZQ, S/R & H - it is such a boost to have feedback from a bunch of leaf lovers; thanks for the encouragement - though there are some who would say that when it comes to forming metal leaves I don't need a lot of encouragement. Creating them is a soothing process for me - a real stress buster. VA - these little ones would blow in the wind. J - the fire brings out some great colours. MD and P - as I said a good outlet amidst my current computer work - but I'm getting through that. Lisa and L - the tiny ones are magic - so much detail and texture and lovely to hold and play with. LT - you make me smile - and glad you thought the photo worthy of tumbling.Thanks. JM - today I made a few pairs with you in mind - we will need to arrange a viewing. SZQ - I think my leaves are a bit like someones shovels?? Good stress relief. S/R - I agree in the rough the hammering of the brass gives them a nice tiny chime. H- I hope they will be a treasure. May we all continue to be uplifted by leaves. Go well. B
ReplyDelete~ah...welcome home my friend...such beauty in those itsy bitsy leaves...it must take a wee bit of patience when working with smaller pieces...be well and much love light and blessings be with you and yours~
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