Rustnstuff: Funky Fish

Showing posts with label Funky Fish. Show all posts

Friday, September 15, 2017

Off to the gallery-shop

Today was about delivering Artisan Lamps and Funky Fish to Entangle in Dayboro.

I tested the two tall Artisan Lamps and put globe surrounds on the top of both.

Nola at Entangle has agreed to sell my Funky Fish in the Entangle gallery-shop. So School of Funky Fish 2; a Trio of Funky Fish; and a Funky Fish will be delivered.

An below shows what it looks like to pack up 7 Artisan Lamps and 3 sets of Funky Fish for delivery.

Friday, August 4, 2017

Today was not about finishing; but rather about edging three art jobs along. By far the most time consuming was cutting a groove in the concrete base of the Buttress Root Sculpture so we can do some rectification work next week.

I had hoped that I could cut into the concrete with a battery powered angle grinder with a diamond blade.

But that was not to be the case - I just could not get the tool close enough because of the river rocks. The job of hammering and chiselling into super hard concrete took 2.5 hours. I had to cut a groove around a 1.2m long X 1cm wide X 1cm deep. But it got a good result in the end.

Before heading out to the Buttress Root site I selected the timber for the School of Funky Fish 2 sculpture; and got Fiona to work with me on layout of the 7 fish. I cut, drilled, sanded and oiled the timber before heading out - but more on that on Sunday maybe.

I have also been completing the aluminium pieces to be etched for the 5 post snake and water motifs sculpture. I needed to mark up and block-out aluminium for the tops of the post.

Then of course one needs to ensure there are adequate supplies of copper sulphate and salt if one is to do a big etch on Sunday.

I have got to the end of the day; and am now ready for a curry and wine.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Restoration and completion

There were quite a few demands on time over the weekend. Still one grabs bit of time when one can.

Recently we bought a small old chest of draws that we judged could become great for storing small parcels of letterpress type. I did not like the look of the old paint on the chest of drawers; and there were a few loose bits. So I decided to: do repairs; sand the whole thing; and give it all a few coats of matt finish. All of that was done with a mask on; and a good personal clean-up immediately after the job. I was worried about lead paint!!

The chest of draws is now ready for Fiona and I to fill with small sets of letterpress type.

I had three more small funky fish to finish to make up my next school of seven fish (A School of Funky Fish 2). So that was another task to complete - and I managed to do so.

I really like the lovely twists and turns of these smaller fish (about 15cm and 20cm long). All made from brass from old brass jardinieres and silver-plate from old trays.

I have modified the attachment of the brass rods to the smaller fish. In the past I glued them into place; but on these last three I riveted them in place with a 1.5mm brass rivet.

The seven look good as a school.

Now to make the mounting board and cut the rods to length so the school can go for a swim.

Friday, May 26, 2017

School of Funky Fish 2

The School of Funky Fish I entered into the Aspects Art Show won the best contemporary prize; and was also sold. I have started a second School of Funky Fish which, like my leaf inspired Bending sculptures, might become a series. There were seven fish in the first school; but I'm not sure if this school will be five or seven. I will decide once the next batch are complete.

The fish bodies are made from curved sections of old brass jardinieres; and the head, fins, tail etc are all made from various bits of silver-plated EPNS - mostly offcuts of trays I have harvested when cutting up trays for bigger works.

After making a selection of bits and doing a bit of a mock-up it is off to the grinding and polishing bench where the pieces show their true metallic beauty.

I managed to assemble a couple of the fish this afternoon - the riveting is a fiddly job and can take some time. I particularly like the baby fish - about 15cm long.

The riveting process associated with assembling the fish usually encourages me to polish my homemade riveting tools. I love the contrast between the rust of the recycled rods and bolts and the drilled and polished work faces.

A good Friday in the garage-studio - relaxing.

Sunday, April 16, 2017

School of Funky Fish off to Goondiwindi

Once again I'm entering a 3D piece of work in the Open Section of the Aspects Art Show (2017) in Goondiwindi.

I got the work finished on Wednesday and then realised that I really should post it on Thursday if it was to arrive in Goondiwindi on time given that the Easter break was going to eat into transport time.

The photos below show the work - 7 different sized fish forms made from recycled fragments of various silver-plated trays and a couple of large brass jardinieres. The fish forms are attached to brass tubing rods and set into a section of salvaged native River Oak timber.

The sculpture represents fresh water fish in the rivers and creeks of western Queensland - hence the River Oak timber. The whole piece (timber and 7 fish forms) was wrapped in copious amounts of bubble wrap and brown paper. A nice sturdy parcel (about 1m long and 5.5 kg) sent through Australia Post.

Doing the packing and sending was on my work list for next week - so I guess I'm ahead there.

Friday, March 17, 2017

The beauty of a hammered bowl

I have been asked to make a large hammered bowl and 40 words that will make up a Daily Word inspiration set for a family. I cut the metal some time ago as part of a cutting day for a few lines of work.

Today I got to make the bowl. It was made from a 25cm circle of silver plated EPNS cut from an old and cracked serving tray handed down in the family. Whilst the bowl shows patches of wear and history it has now been given a new life and great purpose.

I thought I would share a few of the process photos.

I also got to add the brass rods to the Funky Fish and glue them into place.

We harvested 6 large pumpkins from our patch - so I think that could mean post pumpkin and blue cheese risotto washed down with a glass or two of red.

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Fish finished and seven selected

The weekend was a bit crowded with tasks on the block and other engagements; but I did get a spot of time on Saturday afternoon and this morning too finish assembling the last of the 10 Funky Fish.

A lot of riveting was involved as evidenced by the rather cluttered workbench.

Still the completed fish look good after a grind and polish.

Fiona then helped me select the seven that will make up my installation. Amongst other criteria we had to consider size, material, shape curves. I think the seven look good as a school.

The Funky Fish will be mounted on a slab of timber - something aged, with curves, character and texture. There are a few possibilities in my wood stash including the piece below - formerly a very old fence post of the rail variety.

I have punched the holes in the fish for the brass mounting rods; but attaching rods, choosing and sanding and drilling timber will wait until next week.

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