Day Thirty

Whew! I have completed my first thirty days here at the museum and what a pleasure its been. I do feel like I've only just gotten started and now, with less than two months to go, I need to get cranking! This weekend I will assist Bob Rogers in teaching the Introduction to Sand Casting class and we'll pour bronze and hopefully be able (weather permitting) to fire up the cupola and pour some cast iron. This will be good experience for me, as we have all we need to conduct foundry classes at SmartShop, but up until now, I just haven't had the time to gain the expertise to run the equipment safely and teach at the same time. I like working with Bob, he's so funny. He's an engineer who swears up and down he's not an artist, but he is an artist! An artist in denial! Bob holds a wealth of knowledge about the foundry and all of its sometimes tedious and sometimes dangerous processes.
Last night was Moiler night. Its a time when volunteers are invited to come to the museum and help stage the next exhibition. Funny name huh? Moiler comes from the root MOIL which means to toil or drudge. I think its great how the museum has turned drudgery into a party. We painted the upstairs gallery walls, and most of the pedestals. I finished my moiling by scrubbing all of the paint out of the sink in the gallery kitchen. It was a fun night with pizza and beer and we even got to sing a few songs from The Sound of Music,.. "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens..."

Day Twenty Nine

Why is Memphis so great? Here's what Rufus Thomas had to say!

Day Twenty Eight

This may look easy, but I can guarantee you its very difficult. For me.

Day Twenty Seven

This is the new shape.

What does it remind you of?

Day Twenty Six

No progress to report. Spent the day singing this song:

Day Twenty Five

Okay, I'll eat my words and wipe that smirk off of my face. This Ice Storm is REAL! I'm so sorry to have mocked Southern Weather. Memphis is CLOSED and everything is covered with a 3/4" layer of frozen sleet. We're out of dishwasher detergent, cigarettes, and milk and we're running low on coffee and tp. This is HORRIBLE!
Yesterday, dizzily continuing my pattern of having great studio days when all of the rest of the world  is safely and sanely tucked in warmly at home, I managed to forge all day and make the beginnings of a very nice piece. I'll call it FLOW for now, but I'm sure that will change once I've started finalizing the design.

The only trip I made outside during the day was to go for coal. Once.

My Companion for the day, The Metal Museum's Hallmark power hammer. Yes, you did see correctly, the top sticker reads "I have been had by a Redneck" the middle sticker is Tatu and states emphatically that he is a "Love Machine" (a reference to the hammer as well, of course) and the lowest on the pole does indeed state, "Don't tip me over you freakin' hillbilly".This was the entirety of information that flowed into my head yesterday. Where is that redneck? Do I look like a hillbilly? I don't feel like one! The Plane! The Plane!

Parts is parts. FLOW in process.










And finally, for the cherry on today's utterly giganomous blog entry (can you tell I really am not excited about venturing forth unto the world today?) I made a little video with my friend Bill in mind. His last name starts with a K. Bill K. is a discerning character and is not impressed with blogs and silly talk. I'm almost sure he hasn't visited my blog yet, but I'm hoping one of you will let Bill K. know that I made a special video just to impress him (and now I'm doubting he'll be impressed) and prove that I am working and just not playing on the computer all day. This one's for you Bill!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3yMkCi2Mmo

Day Twenty Four

Photos:
"Three Characters" in process. Notice Phil is overseeing.
New terminus discovered while making "Three Characters"
"Three Characters" complete and delivered.

 Today we are having an "Ice Storm". I am trying to keep an open mind, because in Michigan this constitutes a beautiful day.
I am getting a really good perspective on how much harsh weather we really live with in Michigan. From a southern viewpoint, Michiganders are a crazy brand of super tough people.
The whole of Memphis is shut down and I may be the only person on the grounds today. Acting as sole Museum Blacksmith, I will continue my forging. After completeing "Three Characters" I have not yet had enough of the "funny little shapes on the ends of the skinny sticks." (my fine art training is really paying off!). Its great to be back at the forge, working with ferrous metal, something within my realm of experience. I will not linger long, however, as I am not here to function within my comfort zone. I am planning on forging a few pieces, but then taking those ideas and translating them to forged fine silver in a drastically smaller scale. Then the fun really begins (and the muttering and cursing and pacing and heavy sighs).

Day Twenty Three...

I'm sure most of you already know that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated here in Memphis. There are several folks here who remember that day.  Their stories are as painful to hear as to recount. The profound affects of MLK's work still touch our lives today. His message lives on and there is still work to do.

A visit to the Civil Rights Museum is a must do here in Memphis.

 

The National Civil Rights Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., chronicles key episodes of the American civil rights movement  and the legacy of this movement to inspire participation in civil and human rights efforts globally, through our collections, exhibitions, and educational programs. 


Visit : http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/home.htm 

 

Day Twenty Two.

Photo: Last night's sunset. Glorious!

I have been fully and completely consumed with forging a piece for a client here in Memphis. Yesterday seemed like it ended before it started. I worked at  the front forge and hammered for the whole day away, concentrating on making tiny controlled shapes on the end of long skinny bars. Today's entry is short and sweet because I am excited to get to work again today and hopefully finish the piece - its called "Three Characters".

If you're reading this, please feel free to leave a comment. I love it when folks leave comments, its encouraging. We all need a little encouragement once in awhile, okay, maybe all of the time!

Day Twenty One

I've always thought this would be great for the South facing exterior wall of the 516 East North (SmartShop) building. Its sappy and sweet and beautiful.

"Horse and Buggy Days" by Paul Detlefsen

Day Twenty!

Wax! wax! wax!
After completing and sprueing up my little horses I've begun to work on the "real" work of 3 dimensionally illustrating water movements. Just last night, at the end of the day, my back aching and my eyeballs throbbing, I made three "Rivulets" and two "Eddys". These will be cast sterling silver pendants, and they are very very very good to look upon!
I have begun my research for my "Reflection Paper", choosing to focus on the Mississippi River and it history, geography and idiosyncrasies as the main impetus for my work. A river is a magnificent thing!
Did you know? The Mississippi River is the largest river system in the United States and also the largest of North America, it is the fourth longest river in the world and the tenth most powerful river in the world.
Johnny Cash was referring to the Mississippi when he wrote and sang "Big River".

Day Ninteen...

Photos:

1. Amazing artist and teacher, Richard Prillaman visits the Metal Museum to teach Jeannie and Holly how to use RTV silicone rubber to cast coins.

2. Jeannie's magnesium Mardi Gras coin patterns!

3. Jake and Phil take a little break

Saturday (yesterday) was a very productive day. Richard Prillaman came into teach Jeannie and I how to cast coins with RTV silicone rubber. It was delightful to spend some time with such an accomplished artist and wonderful teacher. Richard Prillaman has exhibited nationally and internationally. In 1989 the state of Tennessee commissioned him through the National Ornamental Metals Museum to design and construct a sterling silver tea service for the U.S.S. Tennessee. The following images are pictures of several of Richard Prillaman's pieces. Richard also spent a lot of his life as a Fine Arts Professor at the Memphis College of Art. If you'd like to know more about Richard and see some of his work, click this link: http://www.prillaman.net/rp_gallery.html

Richard will be back next saturday to help us complete the coin casting process as well as get us started on last wax investment. I love being in a place where its almost effortless to learn new information. So many great great metalsmiths show up here to teach, exchange ideas and get refreshed. Wow!

Look for some very cool coins from me when I get back. Guaranteed!

Day Eighteen..

Photo:
Flummi in the cross ties at Mid South Dressage Academy.
Two Holly horses sprued up and ready to invest.

Big Thanks goes to Stephen Engelhardt who sent 5 oz. of fine silver for my project. Thanks so much Steve! you're for sure going to get a piece from the project, couldn't have done it without you! Plus, its so nice to get mail from home.

If you see some American made cast silver work and wonder why its so expensive, I can tell you. This process takes so much time and patience and effort. Just the waxes alone have consumed massive amounts of time. But I'm making headway and once I get it just right then I can make many. However, just for fun check the current price of Silver, its very high. So, you might not be able to get a silver piece, but I will make white bronze, bronze and pewter for you less than fabulously wealthy patrons. Notice, I did not even approach the issue of gold... the ole AU is astronomical!.. good thing I don't really think its that pretty of a metal anyway..

Last night at The Mid South Dressage Academy I worked with 4 horses. Worked means, I'd hurry to find their stalls, put their halters on, lead them to the cross ties, take their blankets off, brush them down, pick their hooves, put on their leggings, scramble to find their saddle and bridle, figure out which goes where, since each is slightly different, put on their saddles, bridle them, and lead them to the arena to hand them off to Nick, THEN take the horse he was riding and reverse the tasks, all the while making sure I had yet ANOTHER horse ready to go when Nick was done.. WHEW! I sure am earning my riding lessons!  The horses I hassled last night are: Flummi, Wendy, Belle, and Julie. Of all of the horses, I took a liking to Flummi best. If Phil the dog were a horse, he's be like Flummi. Flummi would nudge me with his nose if I hadn't petted him enough and took to looking at me right in the eye and nuzzling my face. PRICELESS! It took all of 4 hours, but it was fun and fantastic and I came home dusty, smelling of horses, with dirt under my nails - always a good sign.

P.S. Memphis has the best tap water in the WORLD. I am sure of it, Its all because of the aquifer that runs parallel to the Mississippi. Its ok to drink out of the tap here. In fact, the tap water is cleaner than most bottled water you can buy. YEAH!

Day Seventeen

Photo: Jeff Fetty's Daffodil on the Metal Museum grounds. BIG flower!

Aside from my friends, here are some of the things I'm realizing I miss about Kalamazoo:
WIDR - Martini's Pizza - short drives to work or play - knowing the person behind the counter wherever I go - my sense of belonging - my bed - being able to do laundry whenever I want - smartshop - ....

there's more I'ms ure and its such a nice feeling to re-appreciate home!

WARNING: BLOG MAY SUDDENLY DISCONTINUE.. but never fear, if I miss a few days, its ony because Its hard to blog when your computer keeps shutting itself down. Yep, that's right, the computer is on the fritz again. But seeing as how I'm in a no-panic zone, I'm working to find a solution. Its funny how I really never appreciate something until it is no longer available for use, then it feels like my right arm has been ripped off.

Today is a full day in the studio. I will start the long process of casting those little waxes. Mid South Dressage academy tonight to tack up horses for Nick.

Day Sixteen...

Greetings for The Mid South!

Tonight, after our day is done, we're all trooping to the Dixon Gallery and Gardens (http://www.dixon.org/) for a show featuring the artists from the Metal Museum.

Metal in Memphis

January 24 – March 18, 2010

On view in the Mallory and Wurtzburger Galleries

Metal in Memphis features the work of the artists in residence at the National Ornamental Metal Museum in downtown Memphis, including Mary Catherine Floyd, Jacob Brown, Jim Masterson, Kevin Burge, Andy Dohner and Jeannie Tomlinson Saltmarsh.  With work ranging from the conceptual to the practical, the artists in this exhibition attest to metal's versatility as an art medium and as a means of expression. Organized by Assistant Curator Julie Pierotti.

Opening Reception + Art After Dark: Thursday, January 21, 6 - 9 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Fifteen

Photo:
 One of my most favorite pieces on the museum grounds, "Out of Chaos, Let Reason Prevail". It was made in 1998 by Greg Elliot from Baton Rouge, LA.

Ms. Judy Davis and I are headed to Denver Elementary for our second day of helping the 4, 5 and 6 grade students make tiles for an installation to be displayed permanently at their school. There were A LOT of kids with us yesterday. One group held almost 40 students. we didn't have enough scissors, the kids didn't have their own pencils and they had to bring their chairs into the room that we were using. Its a fabulous learning opportunity to see how once again, you can make something, something beautiful, out of almost nothing. I think that's what learning about art really has to offer to people of all ages, that its doesn't take much more than human creativity to make something lovely. Beauty will exist regardless of budget. I'm looking forward to taking what i've learned and investing it back into Kalamazoo's Schools.

Tonight, Bob Rogers and I will go to The Cove for oysters and lots of hearty planning for a cast iron pour. Am working up models of riverbeds for cast iron sculptures, and I will delight in learning how to effectively run the cupola from Bob.

Tommorrow is our last day at Denver Elementary and I am looking forward to having all of Friday to work in the smithy and get going on casting the little horses. After the casting job is through, I'll concentrate on forging silver. Big list, lots of plans, lots of goals. I'll get there.

Day Fourteen...

photo: Wally instructing..

Yesterday, I went to Hernando, Mississippi for my very first Dressage lesson with trainer Nick Handy. Nick is a great trainer and an all around fabulous person. I rode a very lovely horse named Harley and had an all around magical experience. the facility is amazing, big, beautiful, drenched in natural light and very well designed. You just can't call it a barn, its a palace for horses. The riding arena is more than two full size dressage arenas, again, drenched in natural light. The footing is white, consisting of small pieces of felt and silica sand, making for very soft sounds when the horse's feet touch the ground. There are huge mirrors on the far end of the arena, which I try to avoid looking at (am feeling very fat these days), but are very helpful when trying to perfect the dressage seat. The riding arean is more like a dancer's studio, inspiring, airy, and the perfect canvas for a lovely horse.
Why not click on the link and check it out?
www.midsouthdressageacademy.org

Day Thirteen...

Photo:
Phillip enjoys his sunbath on the museum overlook. The Mississippi river provides an excellent backdrop for his contemplative pose.

Last night, after class and a great dinner at Colleta's, Jake, Wally and I stood on the overlook facing Arkansas over the great and mighty Mississippi and drank champagne. We toasted the river, we toasted Scott Lankton, we toasted each other. It was a peaceful and fulfilling experience. Wally launched into several very exciting stories about barge crashes, river mishaps, historical reroutings and strange occurences he had witnessed during his 30 years of looking over the bluff, across the river and onto Arkansas. He lives in Arkansas now. I wonder if he chose that state because he's gazed at it for so many years. If the grass is always greenr on the other side of the fence, then does that apply for rivers too?

Wally's class is great. I would suggest it to anyone. Even though he couldn't quite understand what he might have to teach me, I found lots of opportunity to learn. I learned alot oabout blacksmithing, forge welding, coal, religion, the history of metallurgy, and so much more. He even told me what the circumference of the earth was. But I forgot, so I can't tell you. Anyways, its a secret. I did successfully finish my grille project, but I was so exhausted by the end of the project, that I neglected to photograph it. Yep, just threw my hammers down. took off my apron and headed to the house. Done.  Lucky for me it will be around for the next 80-100 years, so I can probably manage to get it photographed.

Day Twelve

Photos:
Working on the waxes for the silver charms, coins, pins and pendants.. yes.. the scope has expanded. nice glasses eh? i like to call these pictures "wax dork".

Almost didn't get this post up becasue I have been forging like a maniac all day. Its great to have gobs of uninterrupted time to work on something.. anything..
Yesterday in the smithy, I re-learned ( you can never learn from too many teachers, well good teachers that is) the basic composition of a coal fire, the three steps in heat treating and how to hold my hammer. We're making a grille.
I made a square punch from some tools steel we found out under a bush in back of the shop. I oil hardened and tempered it. It didn't work. It bent. I then water hardened and tempered. Its works. All of this was done with Wally watching over and directing. Hands-on learning with a great teacher is the best!

Day Eleven..

Forgin' with Wally today!

Thinkin' about other stuff including money and the lack thereof..I've applied for a KADI Grant from The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. I applied for funding to support my project here at the Metal Museum. As you might have guessed, there's no pay involved with this project and i need to buy some silver and some tools (and some groceries!). I should be hearing sometime soon if I was awarded funding. If you're reading this, please cross your fingers and say "Please! Please! Please!", because that will surely affect the outcome in a positive way!