For the past month I have been very busy getting some work ready to be cast in bronze later this month. I will at long last be casting the "stair ball" that I have written about in several of my blog entries (9/11/12, 11/28/12, 10/27/13). In addition, I have made several smaller figural (human and animal) pieces to be cast. The creation of each of the figural pieces involved a common thread in that each piece is paired with a wooden object unearthed from my treasure trove of "it could be used for something someday" items.
 Walnut appetizer dish |  Wax cow |  Test set up for final piece |
While cleaning out a closet I came across an old shallow walnut appetizer serving tray, and it occurred to me that it might be just what I needed as a mounting surface for a relief sandcast bronze moon that I had done some time ago. It turned out to be a perfect fit, but it also inspired a new direction for the piece. I immediately decided to create a bronze cow to jump over the moon, a` la "Hey Diddle Diddle". To complete the piece, I will place a small wooden nob top just below the moon and will paint it to look like the earth.
 Wax figures ... view 1 |  Wooden clamp |  Wax figures ... view 2 |
The cow jumping over the moon project inspired me to find other objects that might be coupled with small bronze sculptures. This thought led me to an old wooden clamp that had been languishing away in the cellar. I immediately saw it as an effective jungle gym for small human figures... sitting on it, climbing on it, hanging from it, etc. I found myself with multiple ways of setting it up, with multiple arrangements of figures. In the end, I decided to start simple ...two figures seated atop the flat ends of the clamp looking over their shoulders at each other. The clamp itself with eventually be attached by the narrow ends to a base of yellowheart. (I will be looking for more clamps for future variations! )
 Door man ... view 1 |  Door man ... view2 |  Door man ... view 3 |
The final piece that I will be casting resulted from the discovery of a wooden dollhouse door that I had acquired for a project 40+ years ago and never used. Being in a figural frame of mind, I decided that I would make a figure that was either coming or going through the door. The door itself will also be cast in bronze. I have also made a small suitcase or briefcase that will be on the floor to the left of the figure. The fact that the figure is unclothed and he has a suitcase suits my sense of whimsy. The next step will be to get all of these waxes gated and ready to invest... yet another challenge!! Stay tuned!
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