Mindful metal - hearts and stars

 

There was not a lot of time for making this weekend as Fiona and I have been sorting and sifting stuff, purchasing storage boxes and making up Ikea as part of our transition from our public studio-shop.

I did make some time to melt some metal to make some hearts and stars as you can see from the opening and following photo. 

You might ask why I have used the term mindful metal in the title of this blog post. In a recent conversation with Fiona it came to me that one of the aspects of my metal work was making bits that supported quietness, a focus for daily living or just wishing folk gentleness in their lives. 

The metal work I sell takes the form of Daily Leaf Word sets; trios of silver-plated leave with inspirational words stamped on them, Meditation-Insense Bowls, Memory Keeper Bowls. However, I also have mindful metal I give away - metal hearts with go gently stamped on the back and stars. 

Recently there has been a bit more of a need to give more hearts and stars away so I was glad to get a bit of time to replenish my stash. Progress photos follow.

Go gently hearts are a simple way to wish people well; and stars to remind us all to shine.

Two more bird watercolours

 

These two postcard sized bird watercolours are the last two in the series of 8 I'm doing as an art and sale project with a business owner. 

The blog is quite brief as most of my art time today has been taken working on a draft  quote for a repair and conservation project I have been asked to consider and quote on.

The opening watercolour is of an Eastern Whipbird - some subtle colours. The watercolour below is of a Grey Butcherbird.

Following are a couple of process-progress photos.

There is still some detail and shadow work to be done on these two watercolours; but they are getting close to being finished.

Though doing quotes can be time consuming they are part of an art life; and it is quite compliment to be asked to do some projects - a recognition of skills and professionalism one hopes.

Proteas, bees in magnolia and jacaranda blossoms

 

Sharing three series of photos today - as it says in the title - proteas, bees in a magnolia flower and fallen jacaranda blossoms. First the proteas - above and below.

Bees feasting in a magnolia flower as the stamen falls apart.

Some photos of jacaranda flowers that are carpeting the road, grass etc - to be seen on our various walks.

Such a feast of colour and activity - restores the spirit.

Culinary Metal and salvaged metal

 

I have a request to make a larger ladle (6-7cm in diameter) with drain holes and a shorter handle about 12.5 cm long). The ladle is to be used for straining off the spices that are used to make a mug of chai. The above photo shows the outcome from the work bench.

Following are some process photos - starting with a couple of silver plated brass disks cut from silver plated coasters. The positioning of the drain holes were carefully marked before punching the holes with a largish hand operated punching tool. I considered several options for the handles but finally settled on strips of salvaged 2mm thick brass. The brass was quite brittle and needed to be annealed well to enable me to bend the hook at the end of the handle.

The person who requested the chai strainer also wanted an olive strainer ladle. The photo below shows the three culinary functional items - though the person requesting the chai strainer will be given the choice between the 6cm and 7 cm strainer.

I had all but run out of pewter ingots so I did a bit of cutting and melting - so I now have a good stash for making hearts and stars.

A satisfactory couple of periods in the workshop.

Spring joyousness

 

The abundance of colours and forms of blossoms out at the moment offer so much joy in our part of the world. 

May some of the colour, beauty, joy and hope of our local abundance carry to other parts of the world and gently bring some vibes of peace, hope and joy.

More about patinated bowls and posts

 

I have sold the first Memory Keeper and Meditation-Incense Bowls I made so I'm looking to make a few more from the remaining patinated copper cut from the old laundry copper boiler. I tried two different finishes with the two I just finished. As you can see from the photos above I did not renew the patina on the hammered bowl - but I quite like the outcome. On the bowl below I refreshed the patina colour using a patina solution - gives a rich free-blue patina colour. Both bowls have been given a light coat of varnish.

I'd be interested in folk's opinions as to which they like as I will be doing another four bowls in the coming weeks.

As you can see from the photo below I have finished adding rusty bits to the two small (80-90cm tall) posts I was making by repurposing the timber from a bench seat I had made and that had been in use for 3-4 years.

Fiona and I will install these posts in our garden in a couple of weeks.

Birds - postcard sized watercolours

 

I'm currently working on a series of 8 bird watercolours that hopefully will be sold by a fellow artist who runs an accommodation business up our way. I have finished 4 this week as you can see from the hastily taken photos above and below.

A few of the process-progress photos follow.

I have a couple more bird watercolours to go before framing and delivery; but that will have to wait for a couple of weeks.