Rustnstuff

Friday, December 11, 2015

Once was a piano

An artist friend asked me to dismantle and remove an old worn out piano - it could no longer be used (including badly rusted and broken strings), could not be refurbished and would cost too much to have it transported to the dump. And of course there were too many memories associated with the piano and too much good material that could be recycled for it just to be dumped.

So yesterday afternoon after 3 hours of unscrewing and gently removing components the main part of the job was done and the whole piano was loaded onto a trailer to be delivered to our place today. Below is a photo of the dismantled piano unloaded near the shed-studio this morning.

Today I spent another couple of hours finishing the dismantling job - removing all the screws and nails and stacking the bits into categories. I think there are plenty of pieces I will be able to share with fellow artists. So that is my art for this Friday.

All that is left now are: the board with pins for the keys: the bar of felt hammers: and the heavy wooden back frame with the cast iron body and strings.

The back frame and body with strings is a sculpture in its own right - might be set up on the block but could also be set up on someone else's block or yard - we will see. It can still be played like a slightly out of tune harp.

I was asked to use a mix of components from the piano to created a wall art piece to honour the memory of the piano and the joy it gave to the family - the learning and the playing of music.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

This and that

There are some weeks where there is just so much going on; weeks that have their own rhythm. This week was one such week and the photos below reflect that.

Early morning light - the sun is now rising at about 4.45am and the flood of peach light in the bedroom woke me so what was I to do but get up and enjoy the light and capture some of that beauty.

And I went for a wonder with a visitor on the terraces and checked out the organ amidst the mango trees - it is changing beautifully - returning to the earth.

It did get a speedy walk in on Monday and noticed the brilliant new colour in the pine trees.

And the rose bushes and frangipani trees on the block are just so rewarding this year - colour and perfume - delicious.

So there you have it - a mixed bag of a week - a mixed bag of beauty .

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Hot lights and giveaway result

I had a request to make a couple more Artisan Lamps - one from an old standard blowtorch and one from a candle stick. Given that both lamps were connected to fire I thought I might make a couple of other fire connected lamps from two slim, similar but different, solid fuel soldering irons I had in my stash.

The candle stick lamp started with the original painted candle stick and an old part of a brass light fitting. I added in: a couple of brass doorknobs, copper pipe, light fitting and brass screw capping piece. In sanding back the candle stick I discovered a couple of brass trims which I highlighted. A reasonably classy conversion of the candle stick.

The blowtorch was in a very bad state; but has come up reasonably well with a lot of grinding and polishing.

I made the two slim solid fuel soldering irons into a pair of reading lamps. I used a couple of dome clock bases for the bases and added in some gas welding bits as highlights. These are quite tall lamps - about 55-60cm tall.

The candle stick lamp will become a present; and the other three are likely to head to Redcliffe to be part of the December Steampunk Christmas exhibition in Jo St Baker's studio-gallery.

Fiona and I used a random number generator to select the three winners of the peace dove giveaway. The winners are: Gaby Bee, Julie Hauritz and Rick Forrestal. iI the winners can send their mail address to me at wbarry.smith@bigpond.com the peace doves will wing their way to you during the week. Thanks for all who visit my blog and who leave comments - that is much appreciated.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Pendant pieces for peace

Fiona and I are holding an open studio this afternoon (Friday 5-7pm) and tomorrow (Saturday 5 Dec 10am-4pm). I have made a number of inspirational Daily Word and Daily Leaf Word sets. I thought I would add to the inspirational and peace theme by making a few more PeaceBook Pendants as I only had a couple left in my studio-gallery shop.

The PeaceBook Pendants are a bit fiddly to make so I usually make a number at the same time - in this instance 5. Peace Book Pendants have four leaves and are hinged by two jump rings. All five are made from recycled vintage silver-plated EPNS and copper trays and silver plated brass chains.

Hopefully the folk who wear these pendants will not only think and feel peace; but also share a bit in the world.

Art this Friday has been about setting the studio-gallery up for visitors - off now to welcome those who brave the blustery and showery weather - and share some food an wine with them.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Micro weaver, morning colour and moon

We were at a friends house checking out stuff for assemblage work when she pointed out the small woven cocoon created by an insect. The woven basket was about 25mm long; and it was glued to a plastic table. So delicate; and yet it appeared to be strong. I don't know the insect that made this structure.

Though we have officially moved into summer the flowers still think not is spring.

There appears to be a bit of an issue with some of the bee hives this year - a number of decommissioned and burnt hives seen on my walk - worrying.

Thought I'd just add in a couple of moon photos given it is Wednesday. These were taken with the Canon Powershot.

I love that my decision to post some iPhone photos each Wednesday has made me walk with my eyes more open to the beauty around me.

Don't forget the giveaway will be drawn on next Sunday - check out the blog post.