Rustnstuff

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Of clouds and spring activity

What a difference a couple of days can make. The photos below are of the light, scudding and rolling clouds of this morning.

Compare those with this photo taken on Monday morning - rolling but in a heavy ominous way.

The mornings are becoming lighter and the evidence of spring can be seen in the bursting buds, colours and the activity of bees and birds.

Seeds are shooting including the clump of pumpkins seedlings in our pumpkin patch. I dug six holes and threw clumps of seeds in thinking a couple would come forth - well I now have six clumps of seedings. I will thin the clumps to the strongest two plants.

I'm enjoying the light and cool of spring.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Geared - Artisan Lamps

On my recent road trip with Fiona's dad I bought a couple of vintage geared hand-drills. I had a couple of lamps in mind. I have been able to create a pair of sibling lamps from the two slightly different hand-drills.

There was a lot more work making these than meets the eye. I needed to strip the section out that takes the drill bits; drill a hole down the shaft; thread the drilled out section to take the threaded pipe for the light fitting; and drill an entry point in through the thread under the head of the drill.

I wanted to cover the cord; so I brought it in through the silky oak base and threaded it through an antique gas pipe that has a flat ornate profile. I think it worked.

With the addition of stop-cock handles, silky oak bases and other brass bits and pieces I think they have worked out well.

These Artisan Lamps will go to Entangle gallery in Dayboro. Today I also started making making the floor lamp for Rhonda McK as a thank you for the stash we collected from Bundaberg;l but more on that another time.

Friday, September 9, 2016

Polishing, packing and production

Today has been another of those here and there art days.

I have been polishing leaves for the citizens festival in Tatebayashi and cutting, stamping and polishing peace words for giving away in Japan; polishing art works and packing them for three exhibitions - Sano in Japan, Calondra Gallery and the Kenilworth art competition; finishing resin keyring for Entangle; and making a couple of pendants for a friend to buy as Christmas gifts (is it that time already).

Leaves and peace words for Japan.

Boxes of artworks polished and packed and ready for transportation.

Resin keyrings.

Resin pendants - seriously in need of cleaning and polishing

All part of the art life.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Contrasts - before and after rain

The last few days have been quite overcast with many threatening clouds scudding across the valley. We have had about 30mm of rain which we and the trees and plants have welcomed. To walk this morning it was necessary to call on the rainbow umbrella.

The trees and flowers held many of the overnight droplets.

The impact of the rain is evident across the block.

And speaking of the block - how is this for colour - ground numeric from the garden - makes a beautiful tea.

Love the colour and contrasts in our life.

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Four metal projects

Over the weekend I was progressing and finishing 4 different projects: peace doves for International Peace Day on 21 September; Leafspoons and Leaf Pate Knives for Maleny Additions and Entangle; some leaves to test out an idea for a wall piece; and brass leaves for the citizens festival in Tatebayashi.

The Peace Doves are looking good. I have 21 made; and have about 12 I need to stamp with the word peace.

Because I was making Leafspoons and Pate Knives for two outlets I had about 24 leaf forms on the go at the one time. But as you can see they have turned out well; and the stashes for Maleny Additions are tagged. for delivery tomorrow.

The patinated leaves on the Red Cedar timber looks good from the perspective of doing the test run for the wall piece.

And I'm about halfway through grinding and polishing the 100 flat brass leaf forms for Japan.

Pretty good outcome given that quite a bit of time over the weekend was given over to visitors etc.

Friday, September 2, 2016

Avian fonts finished

Some time ago I posted on some fonts I was making. I reflected on the fact that some folk suggested they were really birdbaths. Velma suggested that they could be called avian fonts - I like that so that is what they are - Avian Fonts.

I got to finish the bowls of both and attached them to the rusted supports I had attached to the posts. I needed to plug the holes that were in the centre of the metal (bottoms of old jardinieres); so I riveted centre pieces in on both sides of the plate. The bowls retain their hammer marks and some patina.

I also added some squares of brass from an old tray I cut us some time ago too protect the top of the posts and add another design element.

And the fonts look goo with the water in them and in the landscape.

They are ready now for sale. No I'm off to have a Friday afternoon beer at our new boutique brewery with Fiona's brother who is visiting this weekend.