Today near the top of the agave there was a busy little hummingbird.
Month: July 2015
Agave July 28th
Wool Bowl–Update on Rust Promoter Test
The test piece is still a bit damp and continues to change.
This is how the test appeared yesterday–
This is an image of how the test looks today. The piece next to it shows the original color of the cream wool yarn and the safety pins.
Don’t Piece in Progress
I started the Don’t piece after watching Blink one of my favorite episodes of Doctor Who. The episode introduces the Weeping Angels, sculpture that isn’t really sculpture. When you blink or look away the Weeping Angels move. When they move they are dangerous.
In the episode Weeping Angels also known as the Lonely Assasins are explained:
“You die in the past, and in the present, they consume the energy of all of the days you might have had-and your stolen moments. They live off potential energy.”
What if you approached viewing art in the same way? Well, not with the fear that you might be sent back in time to die, but to really look. To see what is there, you must look. Not give the art work a passing glance, but really look at it. What about being a version of the Weeping Angels by snagging some of the energy put into the work by the artist…
I started a piece that has coded into it, “Don’t turn your back, Don’t look away, Don’t blink” some of the warnings in the episode.
I used color for the dots and dashes of Morse Code–rust yarn for dots, gray for dashes, and cream for spacers.
I cut the squares of mirror in half because after wrapping the hardware cloth with cream wool they were too large. And I like the idea of sharp edges.
The frame will be bound to the coded piece. Actually the frame has code as well. The frame has the repeated word, see.
The plan is to age and wax the coded piece and the frame. Then bind the two pieces together and the binding.
Wool and Safety Pins
What happens when you find a stash of safety pins? What do you do with them?
Had just make a rope and wool yarn bowl for a birthday present.
I enjoyed making the bowl. A nice break from making wall pieces. I wrapped rope with cream wool yarn so the cotton rope would not peek through.
Formed the bowl by binding it with cream wool. Added additional binding in cream, gray, and brown. It is code for the person’s name and their date of birth.
Back to the safety pins–I decided to make I-cords, full them, and then pin them together to make a bowl. I pinned the cream wool I-cord together and took it apart 3 times. Just couldn’t get it quite right.
While I was working on putting the cream bowl together and taking it apart, I made two smaller pieces.
The I-cord is made of gray and cream wool yarn.
The exterior of the bowl.
Then I flipped it inside out.
I tried the same process using two kinds of brown wool yarn.
Exterior of the bowl.
Flipped inside out.
Flipping the bowl inside out was the solution. After finishing the pinning of the cream bowl, I flipped it inside out.
Once the bowl is aged and then stiffened I think it will be done.
How to age the bowls?
Test 1 Rust Promoter
4.0 parts white vinegar
1.0 part peroxide
.5 part salt
Test 2
1 Tablespoon epsom salt in boiling water. Submerged the piece. Then added another tablespoon of epsom salt.
This really did not work. It seems to have cleaned the oxidation off of the safety pins. The result brought to mind the ugly surface of silicon bronze when it is sandblasted.
Rust and bleeding onto the wool is definitely necessary.
When I finish adding some age to the bowls, I will most likely add an application of faux beeswax. Adding an all over application tends to help integrate the materials.
After the wax is applied a heat gun can be used. With some wax a hair dryer can be hot enough. It takes longer but, it is worth it to keep the integrity of the wool. I have found that microcrystalline wax requires a higher temperature and the wool can appear plastic.
I have attempted making cold wax, but still need to heat the piece to smooth out thick areas.
Rust Promoter Formula
It occurred to me that I did not give credit to the person who posted the rust promoter formula. I found the formula several years ago. I looked through my notes and sketchbooks, but I could not find reference to the formula or the fellow’s name. He made beautiful bells and used the rust promoter to give the appearance of age.
While writing this post, I googled bells and rust promoter, but did not find his site. When I find it, I will post a link.
Focaccia Mold
Apparently my focaccia with basil and black grapes do not go over well.
But what beautiful mold!
Rain
The California Central Coast is finally receiving some much needed rain.
Agave Blooming and Dying
Buds and Blooms
Detail of Flowers
Color Change, Curling, and Dying Leaves
Base of Leaves Bright Green and Changing Shape