When Fiona and I went to Portland (Oregon) in December last year I spent a day with Greg Wilbur - master metalsmith. I wanted him to check my Pod metal work; and give me instructions on how to go beyond the pod form to create sacred water container forms.
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - Sacred water vessel |
A few weeks ago I started to create a form that went beyond the pod. The photo below shows where I had got to - looks like an ugly slug.
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - Going beyond the Pod |
Today I decided to finish this metal trial. After many cycles of heating and hammering I was getting the shape going. But there was one piece of Greg's advice that I could not quite grasp at the time and needed to test. I pushed the metal both forwards from and back towards the pod form.
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - Going beyond the Pod |
This was ok for one or two cycles to get the shape going; but too much repetition made the metal in the neck thin and it began to split - so I ceased doing that; and turned the form into a very lovely organic pouring vessel.
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| ©20124 Barry Smith - Vessel in the rough |
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| ©20124 Barry Smith - Vessel in the rough |
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| ©20124 Barry Smith - Vessel - polished |
So I have learnt from this trial; and hopefully will improve my skills as I do more of these forms. And because one can't just do one piece of work I decided to make some small raised bowls from the copper bases of wine goblets - in photo below.
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - Annealed copper goblet bases |
After about 5 cycles of heating and hammering they were taking shape.
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - Small copper bowls take shape |
With a bit of hammer finishing they were good to go.
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - Small copper bowls - ready for grinding and polishing |
And after a grind and then a polish with a brass wire wheel they are ready for my shop.
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - A beautiful trio of small copper bowls. |
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - A beautiful trio of small copper bowls. |
So Friday has been a good art day - I have learnt something new; and created something from old and discarded stuff.
I'm excited you are venturing into Sacred Water vessels... and I also love the one that didn't quite work out - it is like an old artifact.
ReplyDeleteHi VA - I know you would grasp the meaning of this new work; and yes the test piece has an ancient feel about it. Go well - peace. B
ReplyDeleteexperiments are all about learning something essential…and you had a good day, also essential.
ReplyDeleteV - you are so right - I always approach new work as a learning opportunity - even the next couple will still be learning experiences. Go well. B
ReplyDeleteThis is an exciting turn of events, Barry, and your pouring vessel is beautiful. The copper bowls become like little miracles after you work your magic! Great stuff!
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