Rustnstuff: 07/17

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Peace stash

I have finally completed the task of making 210 Peace Leaves for distribution on International Peace Day (21 September 2017).

The task took me longer than I anticipated - mainly because there were many other art, community, work-work and family commitments along the way. The photos below show the last 10 Peace Leaves before and after polishing; the impact polishing has on wire brushes; and the tattered remains of a new pair of leather gloves.

But I'm really pleased to have such a significant stash of silver-plated Peace Leaves.

The photos below really just show the stash, or some of it, in different locations and formats - a bit of a celebration of the whole stash before I begin to separate it in to smaller states and send it out into the world.

Somethings are just worth persisting with - I guess peace is one of those.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Legs, logs and letterpress

First about those legs and logs!!! I attached galvanised legs to the five posts for the five post snake and water motif sculpture that I have been commissioned to make. The legs are set into the posts with a 2.5cm round X 7.5cm long pin; and bolted to the post with heavy gauge 10cm long galvanised coach screws. This enables me to concrete the posts into the ground but just have them floating above ground level out of the reach of termites and rot inducing moisture.

As you can see from the first photo and the one below, the wood drill bit I use is serious gear; and it is kept in a plastic case of it's own to keep it sharp. That single bit cost $80' but it is perfect for this task.

Whilst I was over at the polishing bench working on my peace leaves I broke up the task by restoring some bits for our letterpress. The beautiful brass and black pieces are quoins for locking up type.

The goodies below includes quoin keys and letterpress composing sticks.

The quoins, keys and composing sticks will be used in future letterpress courses.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Winter fragments

Light and colour are the things that catch my eye at this time of the year.

On clear mornings the colours on the skyline can sometimes be quite intense as it was this morning as I walked Treehaven Way at about 6am - but only for a very short period of time - as little as 5 minutes. Then the colour fades away as the sun comes over the horizon.

I'm also intrigued by the intensity of the morning star against the grey background ; and again it is washed away by the ethereal light and then the sun.

A finger nail sliver of a moon appear a couple of nights ago - hard to photograph as there was so little light and the moon was getting close to the horizon - the camera focus kept flaring out. Still I like that I was able to capture the finger nail moonlight and the grey of the rest of the moon.

Nothing is able to suppress the colour and texture of Fiona's dad's orchids. He has gone into hospital for surgery and he gave us these couple of special orchids to look after. The white and yellow orchid had not bloomed when he gave it to us - so it was good to take a photo to show him how it looked in full bloom.

The bees are loving the winter blossom on the nectarine bush.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Restoration and completion

There were quite a few demands on time over the weekend. Still one grabs bit of time when one can.

Recently we bought a small old chest of draws that we judged could become great for storing small parcels of letterpress type. I did not like the look of the old paint on the chest of drawers; and there were a few loose bits. So I decided to: do repairs; sand the whole thing; and give it all a few coats of matt finish. All of that was done with a mask on; and a good personal clean-up immediately after the job. I was worried about lead paint!!

The chest of draws is now ready for Fiona and I to fill with small sets of letterpress type.

I had three more small funky fish to finish to make up my next school of seven fish (A School of Funky Fish 2). So that was another task to complete - and I managed to do so.

I really like the lovely twists and turns of these smaller fish (about 15cm and 20cm long). All made from brass from old brass jardinieres and silver-plate from old trays.

I have modified the attachment of the brass rods to the smaller fish. In the past I glued them into place; but on these last three I riveted them in place with a 1.5mm brass rivet.

The seven look good as a school.

Now to make the mounting board and cut the rods to length so the school can go for a swim.

Friday, July 21, 2017

Creating reflections on water

As part of my 5 post commission I have been asked to add a water motif based on an actual black and white photograph. This motif will be attached to the five posts along with snake motifs (whole and part).

The image is to be created using a single etch non-acid etching process. I have tried to take the central swirling water aspects of the photo and, in bold strokes, I want to create the sense of shimmering water surface against a darker background. The blue on the metal (paint applied with a paint pen) will become the shimmering silver; and the uncoated parts of the plates will become the etch darker background.

As you can see above I also finished coating the rest of the snake motifs. I drew the snakes using the paint pen; and blocked out the rest using shellac. I the no too distant future there will be a big day of etching. But for now that has been a good milestone achieved.

Blogger is playing up so I can't add captions etc.