Garden bench seat

 

As you can see I finished the garden bench seat today. The seat is to sit along the pathway beside the communal orchard that is under development.

The main feature of the bench is a salvaged slab of eucalyptus. As you can see from the photo below I had to put in a plate under the slab to stop it splitting any further and trim the split and splintering end off.

The slab had been milled a bit roughly so I needed to spend quite some time sanding down ridges etc. But in the end it was worth it as the sanding and a coat of timber oil really highlighted the grain as can be seen in the opening and closing photos.

The legs and cross beam were made from salvaged cyprus pine timber and all looked a bit rough and a number of cut ends were on show. In the end I decided to paint the legs and cross beam to protect and integrate them better.

The bench is now ready for installation - maybe on Sunday weather permitting.

Light-shadow and carpets of colour

 

We are experiencing a dry spring period and the blossoming trees seem to be revelling in it as they are producing full canopies of red, purple and yellow. So much of that colour is drifting to the  ground and creating carpets of colour on the road as can be seen below. 

But also hearty plants are blossoming under the shade of other trees and catching the filtered light as seen in the opening photo. This has encouraged me to look more closely to notice how other blossoms appeared and created shadows in filtered light - see some below.

It is now the season for agapanthus starting with the whites and purples below.

I am forever grateful for the colour and joy of nature in our neighbourhood.

A few things on the go

 

Over the weekend I was doing bits and pieces of work on four different projects. In this blog post I will share just two of those: a pearl shell pendant commission; and a bench seat for the new orchard garden and path in our village.

From the fairly fragile pearl shell I was given to work on I managed to cut out two 4.5 cm round pendants - as you can see above - with jump rings and cord. The pearl shell had a family-sentimental link - so I nervous about shattering it.

A few process-progress photos follow. Cutting out the pendant disks with a 4.5cm tube diamond drill was a bit nerve wracking; as was drilling the jump ring holes in with a 2mm diamond bit.

Both pendants were given a grind and then polished with a very fine jewellery polish on my polishing wheel. The two pendants will go to their new owner in the next day or two.

I had been gifted a 1.65m long by 40cm wide by 60mm thick plank of eucalyptus. After a short discussion with the person gifting the plank it was decided I make a bench seat that could sit adjacent to the path on the top side of a newly established community orchard in our village. Folk walking the orchard path will be able to pause and just draw in the beauty of the orchard as it matures. I drew up the following diagram for the seat - it is to use not only the gifted plank but also salvaged timbers from my stash.

Over the weekend I cut up all the shorter components for the seat with a hand saw.

Early next I will more batten screws of differing lengths I will assemble the bench. 

Light duties and watercolours

 

I have a bit of an infection in my good eye so Im being cautious not to expose it to dusty areas.  Im continuing with my watercolours including starting another door and window as you can see from the photo above and below,

A few process images follow - sketching out the outline and starting to lay down washes of colour.

There is still quite a bit to be done on these two watercolours but I have made a solid start.

I have finished numbers 7 & 8 in my bird series; and as you can see in the photos below there have had my stamp put on them. I like both these watercolours - both birds have a cheeky look.

With a bit of planning over the weekend I hope to do a bit of metal work. I aim to finish off the last few bowls using the patinated copper from the old laundry copper boiler I was given

Blue sky, bees, heron and wallabies

 

In this blog I'm going share a few series: tree blossoms and blue sky; heaps of bees on the magnolia; a pacific heron reflected in a rain puddle; and wallabies transiting through the the development site on their way to the lawns at the next door hospital.

First the trees full of blossoms against a cloudless blue sky.

I have posted on the bees and magnolia before but a couple of days ago they were just piling into the flowers and jostling for the good bits - so delightful. See if you can spy 9 bees or parts of bees in second photo.

What a strange sight - a pacific heron reflected in a building site rain puddle - also reflecting building site stuff. I wonder if there are tadpoles in the puddle???

The sight of the shy wallabies always brings me joy; even when they only in transit. I look forward to the day when the building down below is finished and lawn and gardens are in place for the wallabies use!!

So many opportunities for moments of joy!!

Mindful metal - hearts and stars

 

There was not a lot of time for making this weekend as Fiona and I have been sorting and sifting stuff, purchasing storage boxes and making up Ikea as part of our transition from our public studio-shop.

I did make some time to melt some metal to make some hearts and stars as you can see from the opening and following photo. 

You might ask why I have used the term mindful metal in the title of this blog post. In a recent conversation with Fiona it came to me that one of the aspects of my metal work was making bits that supported quietness, a focus for daily living or just wishing folk gentleness in their lives. 

The metal work I sell takes the form of Daily Leaf Word sets; trios of silver-plated leave with inspirational words stamped on them, Meditation-Insense Bowls, Memory Keeper Bowls. However, I also have mindful metal I give away - metal hearts with go gently stamped on the back and stars. 

Recently there has been a bit more of a need to give more hearts and stars away so I was glad to get a bit of time to replenish my stash. Progress photos follow.

Go gently hearts are a simple way to wish people well; and stars to remind us all to shine.

Two more bird watercolours

 

These two postcard sized bird watercolours are the last two in the series of 8 I'm doing as an art and sale project with a business owner. 

The blog is quite brief as most of my art time today has been taken working on a draft  quote for a repair and conservation project I have been asked to consider and quote on.

The opening watercolour is of an Eastern Whipbird - some subtle colours. The watercolour below is of a Grey Butcherbird.

Following are a couple of process-progress photos.

There is still some detail and shadow work to be done on these two watercolours; but they are getting close to being finished.

Though doing quotes can be time consuming they are part of an art life; and it is quite compliment to be asked to do some projects - a recognition of skills and professionalism one hopes.