Rustnstuff

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Of edges and light

The moon on Tuesday morning , very early, was stunning such clarity - the edge where it drifted into darkness was so well defined.

I loved how the early morning light pushed from the east and seemed to driving the darkness westwards.

Talking about edges - this small rainbow cut across the ruffle on one of F's tops - meandering its way over the ruffles and edges.

And this little visitor was ruffling its features to pick up the warmth of the sun.

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Fiona and I were away in Melbourne for a few days of work - facilitating conferences. One conference was on the 17th floor of a city building - I just loved being able to look out at the cranes dancing in the landscape and sky - cities never seem to be finished.

And looking down on the bare trees 17 stories below.

On our way home on Saturday we dropped in to the recycling fair at our local show-grounds to buy a stash of silver-plate. Got there just before the stall holders packed up.

Today there were many tasks to be done on the block; but I managed to cut and clean bone for earrings.

Friday, August 9, 2019

Sculpture and the environment

I completed the installation of a five post sculpture in a private yard a couple of years ago. The etched aluminium plates were attached to the hardwood posts with galvanised plated screws.

I had arranged with the client to install a nameplates for the piece she had requested.

But I was really disappointed to learn from the owner that most of the screws had rusted. Either poor quality galvanising or a reaction between the zinc coating and the aluminium. So I committed to replacing all the screws with stainless steel screws. Five hours of work and the job was done. Good outcome - we will see how these fare.

We seem to do things in quite big numbers. We have been planting miniature agapanthus plants on all the banks adjacent to the new sculpture terraces. I calculate we have planted about 350-400 at this stage.

The agapanthus plants will be gorgeous when established and in bloom - the terraces will be a bit of landscape art really.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Signs of spring

It has been unusually dry over the last few weeks - only a little dew overnight to give the plants some moisture.

However the plants seem to be quite resilient - producing the odd flower and forming buds; and the birds are getting more active.

Nature knows that spring is not so far away.

Sunday, August 4, 2019

Versatility of bone and horn

I made the above small installation-micro sculpture for a good friend of ours in recognition of her many skills, strength and talent. The piece is about strong women - three to be precise - standing strong individually and with each other.

I made the following pendant for a friend who is struggling.

And the earrings are to be given away to a bunch of friends next week.

I think one is fortunate to possess a bit of creative ability - it makes it easier to do random bits of kindness.

Friday, August 2, 2019

Hearts - just because one can

I was up for a little bit of unstructured creativity today so I decided to continue with the buffalo horn and make a trio of hearts from a slice of the horn.

Hearts roughly marked out and cut.

First grinding on the belt sander.

Second grinding on the wheel.

And then a polish to smooth and bring out the colour and grain of the horn.

The finished product looked good on the polishing bench and the rust table.

They could of course also be used as paper folders.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Silhouettes and stars and a bit of light at the end

I started this morning's walk in low winter light. Whilst it made it a bit difficult to cut through the trees etc it made for some good silhouettes when one was willing to look up. More of the trees follow.