Barry and I have been storing some large sheets of aluminium (and some large sheets of rusting steel) in our carport for years. Always with the plan to make some big books for the garden.
We finally got around to it this week! After Barry prepared the massive copper sulphate etching bath for the sculptural pieces he has been commissioned to do, we had all this solution left over and couldn't bear to waste it.
Time wasn't all that kind to us, so we covered it and made our way back to it a week later. The solution was pretty cool and quiet, so we added a bit more salt and copper sulphate and got it going again.
Barry prepared the plates and I put the designs on using shellac. We chose peace as our theme, and the full circle as our motif; each book has a full circle, but they are split, if that makes sense.
Me writing freehand with a brush and shellac.
Here they are from behind in the shade just outside my studio
Here they are in the sunshine on the turning deck. The large book say 'peace is every step' the landscape book says 'imagine peace' and the portrait books says 'dream peace'.
We finally got around to it this week! After Barry prepared the massive copper sulphate etching bath for the sculptural pieces he has been commissioned to do, we had all this solution left over and couldn't bear to waste it.
Time wasn't all that kind to us, so we covered it and made our way back to it a week later. The solution was pretty cool and quiet, so we added a bit more salt and copper sulphate and got it going again.
Barry prepared the plates and I put the designs on using shellac. We chose peace as our theme, and the full circle as our motif; each book has a full circle, but they are split, if that makes sense.
Me writing freehand with a brush and shellac.
Some lovely loose brush marks with the shellac.
We popped them in the etching batch and I love how the reaction occurred where the bare metal was; and the shellac clearly worked as a stop-out.
After the etching bath anda bit of a clan-up a shiny 'is'.
Some of the lovely marks with the sun shining on the metal, and then the marks without the sun - a contrast for sure.
These are the covers for the large book. It is 80cm high x 60cm wide (about 32 inches x 24 inches).
We only planned to do one book; but then in typical fashion we were highly excited and motivated and went on to make two more books. They are smaller, both being 60cm x 40cm (24 x 16in) but one portrait and one landscape.
Whilst I was busy all day Saturday with the Print Council events (will share more on that soon) Barry riveted the books together. Then today we pulled them open using this hi-tech approach and some brute strength.
Here they are from behind in the shade just outside my studio
Here they are in the sunshine on the turning deck. The large book say 'peace is every step' the landscape book says 'imagine peace' and the portrait books says 'dream peace'.
And here they are in the rock river below the house. We are pondering where to settle them; and thought we'd let them sit here for a while we work out where they belong.
It is so rewarding to finally actually do the thing we have talked of for ages. We just love them and now we want to go make more!
Pop on over to Barry's blog for his take on things...
Pop on over to Barry's blog for his take on things...
how fantastic! what a clever pair you are xxxx
ReplyDeleteThank Ronnie - so good to get down and make!
Deletepretty cool
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue.
DeleteYou both inspire me so much. I love that you work together and create what you have set out to do. The installation is beautiful! I enjoyed seeing the close up images of the calligraphy and the covers. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Robyn - we have fun and some of our conversations take very odd directions! We are really happy with these books; just need to work out where they should stay put...the textures on the metal are just beautiful.
DeleteI love them and really like the contrasts of textures but similar colors when they sit on the gravel. Isn't it something how long things on the list can take sometimes. Glad you got them done!
ReplyDeleteThe colours blend so well Valerianna, and the textures are lovely throughout. So good to have them done!
DeleteYour collaborations are a constant source of wonder. What fun it is to watch you two create!
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz we enjoy it when things work out, and living on a largish block are constantly thinking about things we can put places...hope we never run out of room!
DeleteMy jaw has dropped and I am in awe of these. I love the scale and the thought inside them. What a great team you two are. x
ReplyDeleteThanks Lesley for that great reaction! It is the scale we were both after and once we had the big bath ready well, we just had to try and use it some more. Literally used it to death; there was not much happening in the murk by the time we finished. Enjoy!
DeleteI love that just a few days before this post I saw these pages standing around as etched sheets, and now they have become books. The magic of creativity. They look amazing and I will enjoy watching them change as they take up position outside.
ReplyDelete