Sculpture RG355113224 (7"x2"x2")
After completing last months successful sculptural experiment, which saw the reintroduction of white powder coating in my work, I felt that maybe it was time to try another technique involving the use of powder coating. One that I had only previously experimented with.
A few years back, I helped a friend prototype some parts for a commercial venture he was undertaking (for obvious reasons I cannot disclose what this is). during that process, I dabbled with using black powder coating and re-machining as a way to create an inlay look on machined parts.
It is a process most similar to the way I re-machine anodizing, but the powder has a very distinct look to it, and is only really workable on recesses of a certain size. Basically it behaves differently, so it did not seem like a redundant thing to try.
It is a process most similar to the way I re-machine anodizing, but the powder has a very distinct look to it, and is only really workable on recesses of a certain size. Basically it behaves differently, so it did not seem like a redundant thing to try.
The original prototypes turned out quite well, but unfortunately my friends idea never fully panned out. So those experimental parts never saw the light of day.
I often thought about that experiment, but for one reason or another, I never found the proper sculptural project to explore the black powder process further. Mostly I think this is because I have been so involved in using anodizing for various things. But these two little pieces were just the design I had been waiting for to try it out once again.
These works feel a little more visually dense than what I usually make. Due to their small size and frequency of detail, they have a bit of an ornamental feel to them, hopefully without going too far...I think.
Getting parts of this scale to fit well can be tricky when you have to tolerance for the relatively thick and unruly powder coating. When applied, the powders thickness can range anywhere from .001-.003 inches thick, this can change the diameter of a part by up to .006" (.152 mm for my metric friends). which is rather a lot when talking about machine work on this scale.
Despite these obstacles, everything turned out far better than I had hoped. These works are an interesting new development for sure.
The weight difference between the two is quite noticeable, naturally the brass work on the left has more heft than the Aluminum one. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this months effort.
I felt it was about time for a nice vertical format drawing as well, very fitting for these works. 10" wide, 32" tall.
Speaking of drawings, this month, I managed to get the prints made up for the last couple of pieces. With the help of my wife, we did some staging to take some great environment images of the works and prints together. She keeps a design blog for some of the renovations we have undertaken in our home over the years and has a much better eye for placing things in an actual space.
Whenever I am away from the studio for a couple of weeks, it is usually because the two of us are working on a big home renovation. Anyway, I am sure these images will look just as at home on her blog as they do here.
One interesting side effect of me being an exhibiting artist, is that the work we have around the house is always changing. Pieces we have on display will suddenly go off to be shown, or they will sell and we are suddenly left with a void to fill. Or, a bunch of works will suddenly return home from an exhibition that need multiple places to live for a while.
And of course, new works are always popping up out of the shop so we are constantly rearranging things to display the art we have on hand in our living space. I suspect most people prefer their collections to be a little more stable, but It's always fun to try to keep up with it all.
I hope you enjoy seeing the work in a different context for a change
As always, comments are welcome.