TEN – Call to Artists – Day 10 – Part B

It has been quite a journey since I received the above ten items. From here to:

FINISHED!

Day 10 – Part B for the TEN art challenge for Creative Studios https://www.facebook.com/elblockcreative

I am thrilled to say that the piece created for the 10 art challenge is finished!

The Magic of Mind

THE GREATEST POWER ON EARTH!

 

I decided to use the finial with the three spheres. I chose this finial because I felt that it complimented the retro feel of the magazine page plus it echoes the sphere shape of the glass paperweight.

View the film below to look at different views from the glass sphere plus the sides and close-ups of this art piece.

My first attempt at creating a movie from pictures. There is a lot of room for improvement but it is time for me to move on…

 

Left side

 

Left side close-up view of bird

 

Top view

 

Right side

 

Close-up view from right side

 

Bottom view

 

So far I have shown you how I incorporated six of the ten items I was given. Below shows how I included the remaining 4 items.

I made a name tag with information about the challenge.

 

This was attached to the backside of the art piece.

These are the finished artist trading cards for the nine other artists who participated in the challenge plus one ATC notecard for Erika Block of Creative Studio, the host of the challenge.

If the other artists leave me a comment with the ATC that they would like to receive, plus contact information, I would be happy to send them that one. First come, first serve (plus you need to have actually finished your challenge).

Stay tuned for auction details…

TEN – Call to Artists – Day 10 – Part A

 

Day 10  for the TEN art challenge for Creative Studios https://www.facebook.com/elblockcreative

I decide the red cardstock would make a nice compliment to the etched metal plate and weathered wood of the base.

 

Time to bend the metal plate to conform to the glass paperweight and wooden base.

Safety Tip:  It would be wise to wear protective foot gear rather than sandals for this step.

My husband gave me these two steel plates to use as a tool to bend metal. I simply place the brass between the two plates. Then use some clamps to help hold in place.

 

Next bend the brass down using my hands. This is 28 gauge brass so it bends rather easily.

 

I end up bending the rest of the brass in the kitchen over the counter so that I have more room to work. My art always tend to spill over into the kitchen/dining area.

 

Checking the fit over the glass paperweight.

 

Pencil marks for next set of bends.

 

A little maneuvering and the bends are working.

 

Two sets of bends done!

 

Another check for fit.

 

I use the original pattern template to help me figure out the opening for the glass paperweight.

 

It fits!

 

I tacked the metal in place and then drew around the brass with a pencil to mark my cutting lines for the red cardstock. I cut the cardstock with an craft knife.

 

First layer with inspirational magazine page.

Notice the tripod over the fire in the magazine image, that fits into the niche, on the lower left side…

 

…I cut a little opening to peek through.

Second layer, the red cardstock. ( I forgot to show the “Magic of Mind” title and descriptive text in the first layer picture. Too late now)!

 

Third layer mica sheets to protect the text and opening.

Post for TEN – Call to Artists – Day 10 – Part B coming soon!

TEN – Call to Artists – Day 9

 

The etching is complete. The metal has been cleaned with a very fine steel wool pad.

 

A close-up view of the cut out for the bird, my favorite portion of the metal plate. On to day 10. My final day and there is a lot to accomplish!

TEN – Call to Artists – Day 8

 

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Day 8  for the TEN art challenge for Creative Studios https://www.facebook.com/elblockcreative

A little more filing and now it’s time to think about etching. I sand the entire front surface with fine grit sandpaper. Next I tape cut out copies of the printed text to the backside of the metal to help me visualize the finished project. Then I put packing tape over the entire backside. The tape is sticky and I don’t want to spend the time to cut away all of the excess. So I try sticking tissue paper to it, which is only mildly successful.

Free flowing lines to mimic creative energy, thoughts and ideas flowing from the mind. This design is drawn directly on the metal with a sharpie marker.

All done and ready to etch! Two more days of work left.

TEN – Call to Artists - Day 7

 

All ready to begin sawing.

 

Making progress, just replaced another blade. The sun is shining and I am enjoying it’s warmth through the window!

 

Next, I need to cut out the interior spaces.

 

Several hours later and about 14 broken blades and the sawing is done! The large size was cumbersome to work with.

 

View from the backside to give you an idea what the brass looks like.

 

Some filing to smooth out imperfections.

 

My workspace is a mess! Time to clean up and quit for the day.

TEN – Call to Artists - Day 6

 

Day 6  for the TEN art challenge for Creative Studios https://www.facebook.com/elblockcreative

I think that my assemblage needs a finial on the top. Which one do you prefer?

 

 

 

 

 

I haven’t made my decision yet.

 

Next I need to create a metal piece to hold the glass paperweight onto the wooden substrate.  So I draw and cut out a loose paper pattern of what I want, just to get an idea how it would look.

 

I need to convert a 2 dimension pattern into 3D.  This gives me ideas of how various curved flames will work.

 

Instead of starting from scratch each time, I decide to draw a precise master template to work from. I make copies of the ephemera that I am going to incorporate and tack these in place. Quite a difference from the first pattern.

When I am pleased with the design I print a copy of the master template.

 

I cut the copy out, fold it and place over the glass paperweight and wood base.

 

I contemplate how the curves and and placement looks on each side.

 

Some parts are redrawn and cut differently.

 

Now is the time for changes. It’s only paper!

 

No matter how much planning I do, I know that the translation always looks different in metal. 

Then I take this pattern and place it over the master template tracing the corrections.

 

The pattern is ready!

The next day is going to involve A LOT of sawing!