Rustnstuff: 07/16

Sunday, July 31, 2016

More fragments of my art

Some of our creative time goes into many small tasks. For me this has included: testing out some different resin; making a single flying Funky Fish; and making leaf forms for different people and purposes.

The resin is to be used for a children's environmental awareness workshop in November. Whilst the resin worked well and fast it failed the toxic fume test as far as I'm concerned.

The Funky Fish looks good on its rough saw block of Hairy Oak and brass rod - it is going to a good home during the week.

And the different leaves for different purposes.

Though there is a degree of repetition in the creations there is also a bit of variety.

Friday, July 29, 2016

New beginnings

In earlier blog posts I have indicated that some of my work is being include in a new gallery-shop. In fact it is the Design Studio in the Old Butter Factory (shop 6/38 Williams St.) Dayboro - see Entangle Living Art FB here

The Design Studio Dayboro

There is to be an official opening on Saturday 6 August that includes meeting the makers (5-7.30pm). I delivered a batch of Artisan Lamps about a month ago. Some have sold so I have arranged with the Design Studio owners Nola and David, of Entangle - Living Art, to deliver another batch.

I'm also going to deliver some watch parts jewellery - pendants and brooches mainly. I have polished and packed the bits and have made my sales lists.

It is amazing how much time can go into the administrative side of our art if we are inclined to sell. Anyway the task is done and Fiona and I can now settle into Friday evening - that could include bubbles or a red - the decision is yet to be made.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Things that catch one's eye

At times photographs fall into natural themes and groups; and whilst there are a couple of small groupings in this post - the post is mainly an overview of some of the things that caught my eye during the week. All photos taken with the iPhone excepted where stated.

Such as half a moon setting in a navy sky.

Power poles

Birds (and power poles?)

Refracted light

Dark morning light - still quiet dark when I start the morning walk

And morning light imitating a sunset

Oh - and a hare on the way home this morning

All make me smile.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

More metal

I had a couple of jobs to do that involved using my guillotine to cut up recycled metal objects - a stainless steel stove range hood flue and a chrome over brass serving tray. But I thought while I was at it I might as well cut up other silver-plated trays and round placemats for other tasks I have on my mental list.

First the chrome over brass job - making small leaf forms to be handed out to family members to mark the anniversary of the death of a parent.

And then the stainless steel flue - creating covers for the signage posts for the Peace in the Trees Sculptural walk - to protect the wood from the damage of rain getting into the end grain of the posts.

And then select piles of silver-plated EPNS for: Leaf Spoons; Peace Leaves for sale; small peace leaves for giveaway; Daily Word Leaves; and giveaway inspirational words.

And left over is the pile of hard to use bits which will be cut into much smaller pieces for smelting.

A good cutting and recycling episode.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Hammered - prints from the anvil

I have been intrigued by the marks my hammers have made on my bigger anvil over the last 6 years. They never really remain the same - new marks overlay and push old marks aside.

I thought I might have a go at printing the anvil surface as it currently is - treating the surface like a printing plate that had been created by drypoint and scraping. Anyway I called on my resident local print person (Fiona) to give me a hand to lift some prints from the anvil.

Fiona cut and soaked the paper whilst I cleaned the anvil of gunk.

We set up a couple of rulers on the bench as a guide to help us with 'registration' - didn't really work.

We applied Payne's Grey water based etching ink to the anvil plate; and started to print.

The first few prints were a bit disappointing.

But towards the end we got the inking about right; dampness of the paper about right; pressure with a hand roller about right; and registration by eye about right. So in all we had 9 attempts hanging up to dry.

I think we have about 3 we could call an edition; and a couple of artist's proofs.

I think it was a mad idea to attempt to do prints of the anvil surface on the workbench; but I think it was worth having a go at it.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Magnificent mood of this morning's moon set

I know I go on about the moon - yet I think the display it provided over the last 24-48 hours reinforces why I do go on about it.

This morning we rose early for Fiona's Wednesday exercise group - I thought the moon had set - but as we gazed out of the window when we selected our daily words I was amazed to see the setting moon pop out from behind a thick bank of clouds close to the horizon.