Matchbox Studio
(11/02/16)
So, the Cubs are about to make history, and...
Anyway, I've had the Series on the radio while working on the stone. This was around Halloween...
The flying element is ready for carving under... Last night after Game 6 I went ahead and plotted out the blocking for the rest of the stone, cause this side was for real a blank slate...
Yesterday I took these registration photos of the markup blocking to print out for reference...
This side looks drastic, but most of the load-bearing will be over here - except for that deep hole...
The forward arch ends in non-load-bearing flying feet...
The opposite end with its small deep hole where the forward arch disappears...
The bottom after blocking has 3 big feet for the base. Once the whole thing stands out it'll be past 'hammer and chisel' to 'power tool' stage...
(11/04/16)
Now that the billy goat has left the building and the long drought is over (Game 7 was excruciating, but I'd watch it again), I started yesterday on all the negative space areas...
This side is much clearer, with bigger elements to go with the big hole. No more blank slate...
The deep holes on the 3 sides will connect...
This end blocked out fast..
The corners show that I don't have a lot of room for depth, but enough for light effects...
The most negative space will be on this concave side...
The end with flying feet, anchored to a floating 3-way hole..
The other side of the front with the big corner I want to keep...
(11/14/16)
Well, election week has been a big ugly sucker punch to the country and world I care about, but as anger and shock subside, the resolve to resist kicks in (recognizing that I'm yelling defiance in a blue state)...
Anyway, I can resist as an artist: I haven't written much poetry lately but my muse got something to chew on now. And I got the stones to grind on...
The center element will float free from this angle...
The hole on the other side...
This side with the two-in-one elements. This top area is just about done with the chisels, and as I work around the whole piece the elements are slowly congealing...
Establishing the hole on this side...
Still a lot to do on this end, though I think I have a feel for this particular stone now, which keeps me from trying to rush - the temptation is stronger with a harder stone...
(11/17/16)
In the past few days I've been ignoring the radio news and all TV - I don't need the details to know what a flaming bag of shit each revelation from the Trumpenfurher's minions is...
Anyway, I can resist as an artist: I haven't written much poetry lately but my muse got something to chew on now. And I got the stones to grind on...
The surprising thing is how fast this marble carves in small bites when you get a better feel for the particular stone - negative space like this took less than 30 min instead of an afternoon...
This smaller element will clean up fast and ready for the rifflers, which treats the marble like it's alabaster and works almost as fast as the point chisel...
Another reference shot...
The right half is almost blocked out...
More ref...
More ref...
Still more ref...
(11/20/16)
Going around the whole piece and spreading out the negative space seems to be working in preventing stress points under the chisel. The major side elements are coming into focus, making it easier to work out the ends...
These ref. shots are from Fri. and Sat...
More ref...
More ref...
More ref...
The big overhang element is almost cleared up...
More ref...
The base reference...
This much clearing after an hour or so, taking my time. I'd like to clear a quarter inch of space underneath the piece, if possible...
(11/29/16)
Ok, it's been a few days of working the stone down, just about to the point chisel's limits...
Ref...
More Ref...
Front Ref. The ends are staying point-free...
The base is ready for the dremel. The many holes in the piece are ready...