Rustnstuff

Sunday, May 12, 2019

From tiny books to outdoors sculptural books

Over the weekend Fiona and I did the etching on the pages of the three large etched aluminium books we are making for the Compassion Artists' Book Exhibition. The largest book is going to be 800mm high and 600mm wide. Over on Fiona's blog you can checkout a few more images of the etching preparation and process.

We did the masking of the symbols and words not to be etched with paint pens.

Given the size of the pages-leaves of the largest book we needed to build an etching bath. We needed about 20litres of etching fluid in this bath - water, copper sulphate and cooking salt. The etching process results in quite a bit of heat and sludge.

We were using salvaged-weathered 1.5mm aluminium sheeting-plate. This is harder to etch because of oxidation that has occurred. Still the results are good if you accept the texture and patina of the weathered metal.

Hopefully we will get around to riveting the pages together during the week; and then be able to open the books. They will form a trio of books with the words - kindness, hope and care.

And because one has the etching mixture on the go there were a number of other bits that got etched including the sign for a 5 post sculpture I did a couple of years ago.

Friday, May 10, 2019

Private task - a stack of small precious books

Yesterday and today I grab time to make a stack (10) small silver-plated copper books. The words have not been revealed because it is a private and personal job. The only task left is to open the books so the wording can be revealed and read by the future owners.

The photos below share some of the process involved in making these wee books - 40mm high by 30mm wide and deep.

A grand way to end a Friday - all but completing a powerful stack of small precious books.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Autumn rainbows and subtle light and colour

We know it is getting towards the shortest day of the year when the house begins to be invaded by rainbows - in the nicest possible way of course.

The walk this morning stated in the blushing light of dawn.

Though the leaves are falling to herald the coming of winter there are still gorgeous fragments of colour.

The pre-sunrise light in the valley is just a delight - makes it worth waking up early enough to catch that 10-15 minute transition.

Glorious day today - lifts the spirits so.

Sunday, May 5, 2019

Small sacred books

I grabbed bits and pieces of time over the weekend to work on my 12 small silver-plated compassion related books. I have stamped the books with the words: kindness, care and hope - three elements of compassion. The books stand 40mm high and are 30mm wide and deep.

Today the sun was shining - I just love that I was able to get some good rust and silver shots as well as shadows.

It is a good feeling to get these books done for the Compassion Artists' Book Exhibition

Friday, May 3, 2019

Small book earrings

I have made time to finish riveting, grinding and polishing the book forms for my seven pairs of book earrings.

Opening the tiny books

So assembling can begin.

That will be finished over the weekend. Photo of the tiny 'kindness' book pendant unopened below

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Magic of moisture

It was too grey, bleak and drizzly to walk Treehaven Way again today; so I had to be staffed with meandering the block. As you can see from the photo below it was a grey layered scene in the vally.

Still the light rain and moisture has its own rewards - plants, fungi and flowers and even bees with droplets of water.

We are still experiencing very unusual weather - we don't usually have such prolonged period of rain at this time of the year. I'm waiting to get back into the yard to get control of the grass and weeds - I can hear them growing.