My
luck ran out and that disaster of a mold produced a disaster of a
casting. No amount of cold work can make this usable. I'm not sure why it cast so badly, need to consult with my gurus. If I want to
make this piece, I have to start over with a new wax model for the
box. I've already pulled out my drawings and made a list of sizes for
the wax slabs. I'll start on those tomorrow while I'm grinding away
on the heron head and the egg. After another hour and a half
yesterday morning I freed the sticks. It was after I came back from
that that Marc showed me the box. Well, I know a few things I'll
change. The color for one. I like it but not enough contrast with the
heron. I'll go darker blue. And no billet. From what I can see, I
don't like it. I think I'll do some color samples, see if I can come
up with a combination with enough of what I have on hand. I may also
not carve the wavy lines if I can come up with a texture I like or do them differently because I'm not sure I like them.
As
mentioned, I finished taking all the excess glass off the sticks.
This
morning I got up at 7 AM, went out and watered for 45 minutes and
then went over to the shop where I set up and poured the wax for four
of the six slabs I need to remake the model
and
used the ring saw to cut off most of the extra glass on the heron
head inlay
and then ground off some of the thickness. Came back to
the house at 9 AM for my coffee and then back to the shop about 45
minutes later where I used a different machine to grind off the
excess glass on the egg and then finished it off on my make-shift
flat lap, back to the house for Sunday brunch at 11:30 AM and then
back to the shop to set up and pour the wax for the last two slabs
and the 1/8” thick sheet and back to the house at 1 PM.
So
yeah it's hot and we've exceeded the high 90s forecast and have hit
triple digits and I may be done for the day, except for maybe doing
the dishes that I've been ignoring while I've been working over at
the shop the last three days (and no, I'm not going to show you a
picture of my messy kitchen) but not for a while yet.
Are you beginning to think this piece is cursed? I think it's just too hot for you to work at it right now. Of course, I could be wrong. But it's too hot, period.
ReplyDeleteI'm staying inside today and being lazy which is very difficult for me but I just can't get up the energy to do anything.
I've done everything in that shop that needed to be done at this time. remaking the model will be done in the house and that has to be done this coming week if I have any hope of getting this piece to the gallery on time. I hope it's not cursed but a lot does seem to have not gone exactly right.
DeleteThe heron, sticks and egg sure did come out fabulously! It is amazing to me that you haven't called it quits. Guess you are really motivated, partly because of the time. You will really need to charge a HIGH price for that piece! Good luck. We are cooking up here in North Texas, too. Staying in, in spite of dogs pleading eyes.
ReplyDeleteno way I will ever get a decent wage out of this one. I'm not even keeping track of the hours involves. I price my work based on what I think the market will bear without giving it away. this one will probably net me about 10¢ an hour.
DeleteYou may not like the heron head, but I think it's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYour dedication to work, especially in this heat is admirable, but yes, breaks and lots of water. The dishes can always wait. Or get Mark to do them...
Oh, bummer about the box mold. I DO like the wavy lines, for what it's worth. The heron head and the egg came out beautifully, I think.
ReplyDeleteI think I might incise them instead of carving them the way I did.
DeleteI am amazed to learn how much work this involves. I hope it is your passion driving you in this heat.
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best of luck on this final push. I exhaled because all is under control, and then sucked in another big one because I know it ain't over till the heron has a box.
ReplyDeleteThat heron is stunning. The box will be too. If it first you don't succeed etc.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the idea of the heron box is just wrong and that something is trying to tell you that it's just not necesary. Have you thought of something else if this doesn't work?
ReplyDeleteI think it's because we cut corners trying to make it easy. that never works. I'm pretty sure it will cast OK next time but I have been trying to come up with a way to use the other components if it doesn't.
DeleteI am loving watching this piece come together.
ReplyDeleteThat heron is amazing to me! Here's hoping the box cooperates this time!
ReplyDeleteI love the heron and the egg. The egg is just wonderful, it's a great color. Here's hoping things will improve.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your process. I so admire your ability to stick with it. When a project turns for me like that one has I usually set it aside and figure that I will eventually get back to it. That is why my studio is filled with unfinished pieces. You are inspirational.
ReplyDelete