This is a better picture of the piece prior to patination. When the metals are colored, the turbulence and the Koi will remain bright, but the background water will be more olive, the rocks will be purple black and the little branch will be chestnut colored copper. As soon as I pick up some more cupric sulfate, I'll be ready to go! Pictures of the work in progress are below.
Here is a new project. The composition is based on an age old Japanese motif of a Carp charging upstream over a small waterfall. I have liked the look of the fish and it's scales contrasting with the rough stream bed and the water.
I've chosen a variety of metals for their colors. They are the familiar fine silver and 22kt gold along with copper and the exotic alloys of shakudo and shibuichi.
A great deal of carving and engraving has gone into the surface.
The gold for the fish has been inlayed.
After the carving is done, the surface is burnished in preparation for cooking on a patina.
Stay tuned!
A Gentleman from Rhode Island commissioned me to make a model, in gold of his Herreshoff S racer, which is about sixty years old and in perfect shape. Shown above is the working model in sterling. The best part is that part of the fee is an afternoon afloat in the old girl!
I've been asked for years to make a golden retriever charm. I decided to make one... in two sizes. I like the detail on the larger one better, but it is more expensive. Woof!
This is one of my best works, and I just have to add it to the show and tell category. It is the Folia Bracelet. It is eighteen carat and set with pink sapphires and diamonds. The stones are set into individual pieces which are firmly anchored to each other, but very flexible owing to a unique joining method that I devised. There are more than one-hundred thirty separate pieces that were made and joined to make the piece. This piece was made for someone special for a big birthday.
I finished this engraving sampler recently. I really enjoy engraving in different styles. Engraved sterling cufflinks are so much nicer than those dreadful chrome plated things that one sees at some clothing shops.
I got a fun commission this season and I thought I would show and tell about it. I have many wonderful customers, but their taste is usually fairly conventional. I have a few that are adventurous. I have a couple that are really fun and can afford to indulge their whims. One of my favorites was in looking for a good idea. His wife is a fine artist, and historical basket maker. She had completed her finest work ever, a "Mattapoisett Basket" that she made in ten months full time work. It is made of pine needles, raffia wood and ivory. She was thrilled to sell it this November. Her Husband was understandably proud. I suggested that we make a gold model of her finest work for him to give, so that she might celebrate her finest work. With a wide grin, he said "What an idea. Do it!". I said "It is going to be expensive" He said "You know I don't care what it costs."
He is my kind of customer. So here is the result, about 1.25 inch wide, in green, yellow and white gold, ....carved, cast, inlayed, engraved and chased. All of the parts work. The hinges are oversized to work for the long haul in metal. The recipient was tearful and very happy. My customer should remain out of the dog house for most of the next year.
