A good outcome

 

On Saturday I did my presentation on my art practice; and did a one hour workshop on leaf making with 20 participants - bit ambitious!!!! 

The event was held in the Caloundra Regional Gallery. A big thank-you to Jo Duke and Jo Huthnance for taking the risk of show casing a metal worker; being willing to support a hands on metal leaf making workshop; and show casing the tools and recycled metal that was part of the event.

I think the photos taken by Jo H show that participants were interested in the presentation.

And the they were right into the making. I set up six workstations with an example of each of six stages of leaf making - that enabled participants to move quickly from one task to the other; have a sample to eyeball and copy; and also for me to address any issues if folk forget what they had to do at any particular stage. Some of the work needed to be done on a solid stool as the benches could be a bit noisy.

The whole event was supposed to take from 11am-1pm; but I was still there helping folk finish their bits at 2pm - I think they enjoyed it and felt good about the outcomes they achieved.

Preparation

 

Tomorrow morning, weather permitting, I'm doing a talk about my metal work; and then taking 20 folk through the steps to make a copper leaf form in the Caloundra Regional Gallery. The leaf making process will include the six stages in the photo above. Participants will take home a copper leaf they made.

Of course it all starts with recycled material - copper blanks cut from the tank of an old hot water system.

I have prepared the metal for the participants including cutting and annealing the metal blanks; and then a bit of grinding to get the sharp edges off - don't want anyone cutting a finger.

I've had to pack lots of bits and pieces for both the show and tell and leaf making - including detaching one of the vases from the workbench. Probably too much - we will see what I use.

I'm ready to head to Caloundra Regional Gallery tomorrow morning. Good solid double cardboard boxes to carry the heavy stuff in.