I am still waiting on some additional supplies to arrive so that I can get stuck into my copper project properly. They were due last Wednesday but I am yet to see them...Sigh. I must admit however that sometimes a delay can be a good thing, as it makes me really work thru in advance what I want to do; nut out a few ideas and not necessarily just go with whatever pops into my head on the day.
That is especially important when I am dealing with unfamiliar materials - taking some time to think things through really helps me work out what is actually possible (as opposed to what I hope and dream and think might work); and exactly HOW I can achieve something and so on. So really, the practicalities of what I'm trying to do.
I have done some planning this weekend, and have progressed it in parts, but it will all stand or fall on what arrives during the week and whether I can make it work!
Still, the metal is friendly and fun to play with - here are some of the bits I have been using...
The scraps that are the starting point.
The leftovers and discards from my work. None of these are even wasted, they go back into the serious scrap pile to be melted down at some point.
The collection of wee dots continues...
And some metal stamps.
And to finish - a beautiful piece of copper with a gorgeous patina. I love this piece.
That is especially important when I am dealing with unfamiliar materials - taking some time to think things through really helps me work out what is actually possible (as opposed to what I hope and dream and think might work); and exactly HOW I can achieve something and so on. So really, the practicalities of what I'm trying to do.
I have done some planning this weekend, and have progressed it in parts, but it will all stand or fall on what arrives during the week and whether I can make it work!
Still, the metal is friendly and fun to play with - here are some of the bits I have been using...
The scraps that are the starting point.
The leftovers and discards from my work. None of these are even wasted, they go back into the serious scrap pile to be melted down at some point.
The collection of wee dots continues...
And some metal stamps.
And to finish - a beautiful piece of copper with a gorgeous patina. I love this piece.
Magical colours and textures here. I bought a set of those letter stamps the other week Fiona! I saw some work by calligrapher Lin Kerr using them on copper and paper and I thought they could be used on my prints somewhere but I've yet to try them. Intrigued by what you are up to but know it will be worth the wait!
ReplyDeleteHi lesley - they are barry's stamps but i nabbed them for a bit. I am sure they would work well into paper or copper foil as well. Have fun - I am midst re-thinking and reworking eek!
DeleteThese materials look so beautiful before you even set to work. What an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi Annie - I should never take for granted the lovely stashes I have around me should I? They are truly delightful to look at - the marks and patinas. I am enjoying getting dirty as I play with them as well - a change from pristine paper for sure.
Deletethat piece of copper so reminds me of the gorgeous slabs of stone one sees in quarries around boulder, colorado. colors you can breathe in.
ReplyDeleteI like that idea V - colours you can breathe in. I went back and had another look at it and did just that! Go well, go gently.
DeleteOh, I love the dots and that last piece is already gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteThe last piece certainly doesn't need much does it Jane? And the dots are loads of fun. No idea what to do with them next...
DeleteWhat great materials to work with, Fiona. I'm really keen to see what eventuates. The dots are lovely, I'm so pleased to know you keep every little scrap.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol - you would appreciate the joy of stacks and stashes of old metal I know. I really do like how when B has finished with something we can both nearly always find a way to take the scraps a bit further...no waste is a fine thing.
DeleteI love the patinas... very wabi sabi. Have a very creative time when all your metal arrives.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna - the patina on some of the metal is exquisite. I will see how the new and different materials all come together, fingers crossed.
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing what you do with all these lovely old bits of metal Fiona.
ReplyDeleteHi Helen - I am so hoping I can make it work! I often have bold visions of what might be possible, and sometimes get caught by my not knowing how to handle things or do them really well. Still, life is a big explore and and an adventure I think.
DeleteLove that copper!!
ReplyDeleteI have a copper cuff bracelet that I wear all the time and love the way the patina changes based on what I've been up to.
Mmmm Copper is quite lovely isn't it? I like its earthiness and responsiveness, its softness and its colours. Go well.
DeleteThis is so intriguing! Can hardly wait to see the results!
ReplyDeleteI've really headed off on a tangent here for sure...hopefully I can pull it together and realise the dream...
DeleteF - what is not to love about having access to a good stash of metal; and even the fragments get new life. B
ReplyDeleteThanks B - mucking about with metal and giving it new life is such good fun! No wonder you do what you do!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be able to use up the bibs and bobs and create something new, fingers crossed.
You really are having fun teasing us, aren't you? All that lovely metal and still not a hint as to what will become of it. But with such beautiful metals and patinas, that's okay. I'll happily sit here and lust after both. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks J - I didn't mean to tease that much; I literally had nothing much else to show for my weekend's efforts laugh! As I replied to comments I realised how often I had my fingers crossed, because I really don't know how it will work and kept thinking - probably should have kept this one to myself in case it s a disaster. Oh dear. Will see in a little while...The metal is nice at least. Go well
DeleteI think it's fun to see the percolating stages that precede the result. (It's a little like how novels often used to be published as serials, so people only got a chapter of the story at a time.) And in the meanwhile, your teaser shots are full of intrigue, and works of art in and of themselves.
ReplyDeleteIt's a precarious line between plans and putting them into action - crossing the line always seems to bring a few surprises - but who know what discoveries you will come up with in the process! I hope things work out as you're intending them to - and can't wait to see what you come up with...