Rustnstuff

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.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Fragments from Carriage Works Sydney

I was in Sydney for a couple of days with Fiona as she participated in the Sydney Contemporary Art Fair. Fiona's work and that of the other members of her gallery looked gorgeous and attracted a lot of attention as you can see from Fiona's blog post.

I not only got the opportunity to experience the Sydney Contemporary Art Fair; but also the Carriage Works building in which it was housed. I was quite taken with the history that still exuded from the ceilings and wall as you can see from the photos below.

It is so good to see that old industrial buildings can be put to multiple uses without erasing the history.

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Two more completed and two almost there

I got a bit of time on Saturday and quite a lot today to work on a few more Artisan Lamps - four to be exact. I did manage to get the two simpler ones completed and tested; and got very close to completing the two larger and more complex lamps.

I quite like the simple gear and white industrial ceramic light fitting lamp below. The large very old and worn gear is made from steel and some form of compressed wood-like fibre.

With the lamp below I was able to use some vintage gas light fitting and a cube of hairy oak timber I had cut and set aside months ago.

The lamp below incorporates: a very very old fire fighting nozzle; a gas welding piece; and a multi belt cog. The fire fighting nozzle has been kept intact.

The more wood based lamp might appeal to someone in or has been in the carpentry industry. It features old wooden spirit levels and a broken square.

The two larger pieces are yet to be tested. The photo below once again shows how most of the lamps start out with pretty grubby bits and pieces.

Friday, September 8, 2017

Blow-torch Artisan Lamps

I have been trying to grab a few moments to increase the number of Artisan Lamps for Entangle in Dayboro.

I managed to finish a couple of lamps made from plumbers blow-torches.

When I make these I try to do so without too much change to the original vintage blow-torches just in case in the future someone wants to dismantle the lamps and change them back to functional blow-torches.

The finished lamps.

The blow-torches don't look pretty before I start working on them.

Dismantled - ground and polished.

All lights working

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

A pink moon and a couple of other bits

Fiona woke me early a few mornings ago to tell me that the moon was pink. I took her word for it and got out of bed, scrabbled around for the camera and headed out into the cold dark morning. The moon was indeed pink - a product of the combination of cloud and smoke in the air from burn-off fires.

But of course if you have seen the moon two thirds full - then one just has to continue to follow its progress - at least for this week.

We attended a paper related exhibition- in Brisbane last week - Fiona was a finalist - I went out on the deck and was mesmerised by the city lights and selections on the river.

The colours in the valley this morning did not disappoint.

Sunday, September 3, 2017

The power of leaves

Over the weekend I intended to complete a few more Artisan Lamps. However Fiona and I attended the opening of the Maleny Print Makers exhibition; and I was reminded that I had committed to giving a fellow artist Peace Leaves for International Peace Day. I knew that I needed to fulfil that commitment before I got on to the lamps. At the exhibition I was also reminded of the sad story of a woman whose baby daughter died about 12 months ago. I felt I wanted to gift her a few leaves to offer energy and hope.

So I got stuck into making the Peace Leaves; and Leaves of Hope and Healing. The Peace Leaves are about 9cm long; and the Leaves of Hope and Healing are about 13cm long. I always feel that the process of making gives me the opportunity to imbue the metal forms with a little positive energy.

After all the cutting, folding, hammering and opening it was off to the grinding and polishing bench to let the beauty of the metal and words shine.

The outcome was good - so I hope that these small leaves can carry a bit of power.

I did get to do some work on Artisan Lamps; but that will be progressed during the week if time permits.

Friday, September 1, 2017

Water and Snake post sculpture installed

A big part of today was given over to installing the Water and Snake 5 post sculpture in the small '
courtyard' at the house of the couple who commissioned the work.

The task really started with all the planning and loading of the posts and gear for the installation. But the on-site work started with agreeing the final set out of the posts with the clients. This was to ensure that they: could still service the courtyard; and the sculpture could be seen from the dining room, the bath room and the entrance to the courtyard. Set out in the cleared courtyard (2m wide and just over 4-5m long) marked out with white paint.

The individual posts were concreted into the ground using quick-set cement mix. Each post was levelled and then supported with timber held by clamps whilst the concreted cured. Curing to green hardness took about 20 minutes to the point it was safe to gently remove the supports and move the supports on to the next post. The whole on-site installation process took over 4 hours.

The clients were really happy with the end result. They will now fill the courtyard with grey gravel; and may also include a lighter grey pebble winding 'snake-like' pathway through the posts. Just as we were about to depart a small green bug thought it would have a little rest on the top plate of the front post.

A good day's work. Time for a small celebration that will include a wine.