Lapidaryforum.net
Rock Art => Carvings and Sculptures => Topic started by: Asianfire on October 28, 2015, 06:04:07 AM
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OK here we go from beginning to end for those of you who do not partake on FB.
It all started a bit over two years ago, with a Montana heel, that had a line of dendrites running through milky but otherwise clean chalcedony.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppm1_zpsq4cjji6l.jpeg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppm1_zpsq4cjji6l.jpeg.html)
Step one, pretty much exactly 2 years ago (Oct. 2013), entered this in the cab-contest and for it ground down the back to stable material, and polished both sides.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppm1_zpsqs3uzwwn.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppm1_zpsqs3uzwwn.jpg.html)
After that put it away again, but by now had an idea as to how to preserve the dendrites in front in form of a staff.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppm2%202_zpssaq7hlni.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppm2%202_zpssaq7hlni.jpg.html)
By now, I envisioned to use the inclusions at the back as a sort of dragon-wing that swings forwards at the bottom of the piece and having a person standing on the inside of the wing holding the staff.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppm2_zpscamioh5g.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppm2_zpscamioh5g.jpg.html)
Acted on that fairly quickly, but it would be another 6 months before I somehow could get the nerve to try to outline the person.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppm3%202_zpsfvdxkpst.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppm3%202_zpsfvdxkpst.jpg.html)
Did not like it, so I put it away again. Until earlier this year as I got the drive to try out some dragons. That started the dragon face, but not much more.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppm3%205_zpss2vuk5yr.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppm3%205_zpss2vuk5yr.jpg.html)
5 months on in September, I finally got the vision to deepen the legs and wing-tips as well as to do a basic back.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppm6_zpsyti09nee.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppm6_zpsyti09nee.jpg.html)
Followed by digging out a tail-end for the dragon.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppProgress_zpsw3sifjzx.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppProgress_zpsw3sifjzx.jpg.html)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppoct61_zpsyzsnt76d.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppoct61_zpsyzsnt76d.jpg.html)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppm7_zpswtdyrbng.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppm7_zpswtdyrbng.jpg.html)
Was tinkering with it all month long, still hesitating because I could not envision the torso and head.
But eventually there was nothing more to do so I had to try a head and the final arm leading to the dragons mouth.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppm8_zpsmamrwayj.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppm8_zpsmamrwayj.jpg.html)
The head turned out situated much lower than expected and without hair. Looks ok as long as you don't magnify. The proportions fit, but I'm not sure if I would try to refine it, if I would not mess it up.
So finally I'm ready to call it done (for now)
Best daylight-pics thus far
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppOutdoors_zpsnmghr5ao.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppOutdoors_zpsnmghr5ao.jpg.html)
And Indoors plus back-lit
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/kainzerkurt/ppindoor_zpsw3ymg8sr.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kainzerkurt/media/ppindoor_zpsw3ymg8sr.jpg.html)
Ohh yeah, drilled a second hole under the dragons neck to utilize solid material to string the cord (not trusting the stability of the wing-tips)
Never had so many uncertainties in the past few years, does not look like what I originally envisioned at all, but still proud to wear it. yippie24
Thanks for looking, Kurt
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I think he's beautiful as is! Fabulous dragon that anyone would be proud to wear. :headbang:
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Very interesting post. Following your life as a carver has been unique. Tremendous commitment of time and always a stretch emotionally as you really put yourself on the line as you really don't have control of the process , rather you must share the control with the hidden peculiarities of the stone.For me this one has been particularly fun to watch. Thank you.
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I love dragons, this piece is certainly no exception to that. You made great use of the material. :icon_sunny:
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this is just the coolest stuff ever.
One of these days i will be able to afford to set myself up with rock carving tools.
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WOW It always amazes me how much you can put in such a small space. Art is a wonderful thing.
Where are you on FB?
Jim
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Thank you all for the kind feedback.
this is just the coolest stuff ever. One of these days i will be able to afford to set myself up with rock carving tools.
I presume you got pretty much everything already. If not, the carving-bits are not that expensive. But then again, you could set them up at your regular cabbing-machine. Just attach it to the endpoint and create a stationary/fixed point like most of the pros do it. That leaves you both hands free to hold your piece.
WOW It always amazes me how much you can put in such a small space. Art is a wonderful thing. Where are you on FB? Jim
I'm under my full name. https://www.facebook.com/kainzer.kurt