Rustnstuff

Friday, March 11, 2016

Sculptural progress

There are works that just take the time they are going to take. At the moment I'm working on two small indoor sculptural works that will hopefully go into a couple of upcoming exhibitions. The sculptures have flight and mountains as the connected themes. One of the installations will have 7 mountain forms and the other 5 forms.

I had done the rough cutting of the timber based on my templates. The big job was to do the sanding to create the mountain yet wingtip like form. I love the cross section of the wing tip - lovely tapered shape as you can see from the photo below.

I have done the first sand of the 12 red cedar timber pieces with a very heavy grit sandpaper on my belt sander to get the mountain-wing shape.

Then it is a matter of two more sandings to get the refined form and the smooth finish so that the pieces can be oiled and polished a couple of times with steel wool. I have got three pieces to the first oiled-polished stage as you can see from the photo below.

Over the weekend I will finish the saving and oiling; and then during the week add the aluminium sheeting to the forms. But now it is the end of Friday - so time to sit, reflect and have pumpkin and blue cheese risotto and a red wine.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Misty morning magic

On the mountain we seem to be having our January weather in March - lots of short sharp rain showers - including heavy short rain showers overnight. It means I'm not getting a lot of work done outside; but it does result in some beautiful soft mornings and lots of moisture for growing moss and fungi and small droplets on all manner of things.

The different light of Monday and Wednesday morning in the valley.

Fungi on the walk this morning.

Tiny spider clinging to its web with a bug for breakfast.

And another moss droplet.

On the downside the grass and weeds are growing; but on the upside the air is clean and the autumn potatoes plants have started to push through the soil.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Art on the surface in the city

Fiona and I have just returned to the mountain after a few days in Melbourne for work-work. We did manage walk to and from our accommodation a work - so got to see a few sights on the way; and on Saturday we spent a few hours wandering Fitzroy.

In cities I love being able to enjoy the incidental nature of coming across both public art; and some of the feral art such as yarn bombing; some graffiti art; and the odd feral installation.

Fiona and I loved how the rain drops hung on a cluster of large stainless steel pebbles.

And an avenue of yarn bombed trees.

Some of the lane way and carpark graffiti.

And a curious little ceramic installation on a ledge of a disused garden bed - seen out of the corner of one's eye - we almost walked by.

Some areas in cities have such a vibrant spirit - Fitroy seems to be one of the 'homes' of graffiti art - some of it very good and some not so good and some just vandalised by mindless tags.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Design and material phase of a small sculpture

I'm going to make a layered 'mountain' range similar to the one above but slightly larger with more peaks - 5 to 7 peaks!!! I'm hoping to exhibit it in an upcoming art show.

The process has started with a rough sketch of the potential 7 peaks at actual size on a recycled piece of brown paper. I had a bit of fun with angles and curves - one has to love a flexible ruler for curves.

So I think I'm set with the 7 basic side view shapes. I plan to use a soft light timber that has a rich colour to contrast with the polished aluminium - in this case a piece of salvaged sawn redwood - it has some lovely shapes and grain that could be incorporated into the design. And it is easy to cut and sand.

Next week I hope to start the cutting and sanding process in readiness to add the polished aluminium.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Again after rain - crystal droplets

On Monday I took a walk on the block in the morning after a night of light rain - we measured 4mm. The morning light was grey but it allowed the wet surfaces and droplets to glisten.

And the wind had blown flowers and petals here and there such as the bougainvillaea that ended up in the rusted fire pit filled with water and the purple petal on the wet wood chip mulch.