Sunday, May 13, 2012

REFLECTIONS, In-Progress - Part One.

A few times a year I find myself immersed in commissioned work. Some of these commissions involve some precious object of the client's to be used in a piece of wearable artwork.

 A friend I've known for several years had been talking with me for much of that time about commissioning me to produce a piece in remembrance of her mother, who passed away over a decade ago. At the beginning of this year, it came to fruition and I began putting my mind to it. How very special to be making a piece for a friend, to be entrusted with precious keepsakes to creatively employ.


Felicity's mother, Maureen Kistle, had been Miss Australia in 1955. I was supplied with some of Maureen's baby hair, a small clover charm that she frequently wore and a phenomenal portrait of her, likely from her Miss Australia days. This was my generative image, ripe with possibility.


This is also the first chance to employ my newly-learned resin and moldmaking skills (this piece formed alongside the oyster piece seen previously).

So I begin by creating a patterned 'lens' that would cover the front of whatever I'd create. Into this clear matrix I embed some of the baby hair and two small rubies.


 The resin disc complete. 

 Now I begin the search for a suitable structure for the piece. This is often the way things will run for me - I will create something intuitively, not having a context for it to live yet. As I'm about to discover, this element will sit this piece out.

 I had just bought this lovely 1950's compact case while teaching in Queensland - it quickly becomes the vehicle to work with. It immediately is apparent that I can't use the resin window I'd just made - the diameter is too large for the compact - so it is laid aside; I have intentions to use it on something else for Felicity; maybe a brooch? The rubies, and more importantly the hair, make this an element crucial not to merely toss aside. I'll come back to that later.


 I study the compact. There are two mirrored surfaces. The powder compartment opens on this side ...

 ...and the other side has a beveled mirror, so the whole piece behaves like a miniature hand mirror.

 The handle of the compact houses a lipstick, which is removed by nudging the little tab upward.



 The original lipstick is still inside.

 It's rank and rancid. Needs to go.

Gooey and stinky work. Not my favorite part of the day.


During this time, I've been at my kiln, firing Maureen's image onto opaque ivory-colored glass, in the diameter I need to insert in the compact. I've got an extra in case of any problems (this second image will come in handy, as we'll see).

Cutting the glass to size.


I begin removing the mirror backing from one of the mirrors, then decide not to use that glass in this piece.


 It'll get used in something else, no doubt.

Next step is to burn off the compact's coating that has kept the metal from tarnishing all these years.

 I can examine it now that is has cooled. The big decision I make at this stage is to have the piece be truly double-sided - able to be worn either way. The side opposite the hinged lid previously held a mirror facing out. I will create a lens fitting to seal the open side.

I find a doorknob escutcheon plate, just the right diameter, which I will cast. This will enable me to use a copy of the plate - the original is quite heavy, and would max the weight out at this early stage.

The plate as I find it.

 The center ring is removed.


Ready to pour the mold.




The mold ready to make a casting.

The next piece to cast is this turn-of-the-20th-century gutta-percha binocular lens hood, which I do. LOVE the texture on this object.


Lastly, I create several lenses, one of which will be incorporated into the assembly.


Six molds a-making...


Right out of the mold - the center has been drilled so I can remove the interior with the jewelers saw. The resin is heavily loaded with bronze powder - it will respond to a polish just like a piece of metal.



The three elements - escutcheon, binocular hood, lens - assembled, polished - and ready to use.


Time to work on modifying the compact. Check back next week...


Keith



18 comments:

  1. OMg cant wait to see this piece progress so far its totally awesome Keith.

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  2. Ahhh KLB brilliant as always. xo

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  3. Arrggh - I can't wait til next week Keith - what are you doing to me - I may go crazy with the wait - you wouldn't want that on your conscience would you? Loving seeing the casting process - got myself along to Barnes in Newtown recently - omg - kid in a candy store!
    x
    sue

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  4. Wonderful!!!! I love these photo journeys, and can't wait for the next installment. Thank you for sharing yourself!

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  5. I can imagine how much this is going to mean to your friend. Such an honor for her mother... truly... Love the molding process, too. I've got to try the resin with metal powder as I can see so many possibilities with that. I'm staying tuned!

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  6. How can this be so 'RIGHT' and so 'WRONG' at the same time? I adore this piece and venturing along with your amazing creative process, Keith. Very inspiring, at the same time I cannot wait to see the next installment, that is just wrong!!! LOL... Seriously, can't you just show us a hint of your next installment, rather than waiting an entire week for this beauty in waiting?

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  7. Thanks. This is fun and very informative.

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  8. Thank you for sharing the journey of creating this beautiful piece; your friend is very lucky that you are creating this for her. I'm looking forward to next week's installment!

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  9. This is completely fascinating. I can't wait for the next episode. I'm hooked.

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  10. Wow, thanks so much for sharing your process it is so amazing to see it as your work it through. After my class with you I knew that I needed to spend more time thinking things through. Thanks for the reminder! You are so good to share with the world, it will come back to you in many good ways...

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  11. Today is my birthday, Keith, and I'm spending it in the hospital with my brother who was in a terrible motorcycle accident. I've been crying all day long, but I decided to check emails on my iPad and watching the progress on this piece was a wonderful birthday gift. Thanks for giving me something to smile about today. You are so generous to take the time to share your progress with us.

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  12. Sooo cool Keith, love the process, and can't wait to see the final result! I know it will be something else. Riki

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  13. OooooooBABY! This one sings! Thanks, Keith! ~ Toni Federe

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  14. A new exciting creative LoBue adventure, woo-hoo!! Bronze powder in resin, who'd have thunk it? I must know more about this!

    It's so touching that the hair is being used. I've saved a lock of my mother's for that very reason.

    Methinks perhaps there might be a future moldmaking workshop???**

    **pretty please?

    Sue M. :)

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  15. Cool piece in the making Keith!

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  16. Your resin moulds are great. Talk about multi-skilled! This will be both beautiful and meaningful.

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  17. Specialist in jewelry
    Recent times when internet has so much gossiping and stuff, your content really refreshes me.

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