Greens

It's hard to get into the studio when green things are sprouting.  This morning I picked plantain, dandelion, lamb's quarters and sow thistle for our green smoothies.  Soon I'll be putting nettles in there.  The slight bitterness is good for bile production, I think.  It must be good for us in some way!

Rusting, resting

It takes a while to determine if the rusting was successful. Patterns are important, it can't be too uniform.  I have waited for the spring rains and humidity to help, but it's been a strange season so far.  Perhaps a few thunderstorms are what is required.

Workspace

Does anyone else's workspace look like this?

The back of a fish

How much effort should one put into the back side of a sculpture?  One that will hang on a wall so that the back won't be seen.  Shaping the metal plate is so difficult.  I can heat and heat and heat the metal, but the shape of the fish seems to dissipate the heat away.  Some kind of magic geometry?  Today I made two cuts in the metal to create a concave shape to the back of the fish.  Many hours... and I'm still wishing for an acetylene torch.

Big Fish

I worked on Mary's second fish today, it is a gift for her son - an avid fisherman on Vancouver Island.  After pounding out the second half of the body of this 3 foot salmon, I discovered that I had pounded out the wrong side.  Nearly two hours of pounding gone to waste.  My wrist isn't happy today.  The second attempt did not turn out as smooth, but there are some nice marks in it anyway.  Today I welded the two halves together.  It's a big fish!

Flock of Cedar Waxwings

As I work on new bedposts to renovate the girls' bunk beds, I hear the light squeaking of cedar waxwings.  Immediately I wonder how my little flock is enjoying the view at the Henderson's house.  This sculpture was installed shortly before Christmas, just outside their front door.  I'm pleased to know J & J enjoy it each time they enter their house.  I just realized that the waxwings really influenced my most recent piece, "Forgotten Fruit," currently in the gallery.

Deep Freeze

I am so glad I finished this piece before this weather started, it was -20 this morning, and with wind chill -32.  I would have frozen my fruits off in my almost-outdoor studio.  I am pleased to see this hanging in the gallery.  It's in a safe place (comes away from the wall about 20 inches) and won't take any eyes out.  Friday is the opening, and my girls are all looking forward to seeing the show.