Great white hunter - NOT

The Fox & Hounds Pub & Restaurant features a theme that celebrates all things British, but does it with tongue firmly planted in cheek. As the owners looked over the fireplace today the discussion turned to what type of feature piece would hang over the mantle. Of course one thing led to another... the ideas getting more outlandish by the minute. I suggested a tribute to the GREAT WHITE HUNTER, namely a mounted animal head - not real but sculpted with lots of character. Debbie, immediately suggested a wild boar. I whole heartedly agreed but added an antique blunderbuss with a plaque telling of the fearless conquest of our 'hero'. 

It was the perfect opportunity to create a piece that has lived in my head for ages... begging for the right time and place. It didn't take long to come up with the necessary images...  this is going to be FUN!

-grampa dan

Magic at the top of a ladder

Today was plenty warm - the perfect day to be out in the sunshine - preferably at a beach. But we have work to do - and a short deadline to accomplish our task. I donned my heavy cotton work shirt and a welding helmet and climbed up to the top of the ladder to finish welding up some trees. It was hot work, but enjoyable as I worked my magic. The tree branches were formed with bent steel rod - one small piece at a time until the shape is complete. The armatures look spindly but they are plenty strong to hold the wire and concrete in place until it cures.

With the bottom of the trees established it was a simple matter to create a pleasing top to balance them visually. The ceiling will feature a barrel vault, running from the entry to the fireplace. The tree armatures were welded up to almost touch the ceiling, but not quite, making the process of installing the T-bars much simpler than if we had gone through it.

Looking into the restaurant from the entry, the magic of the space is readily apparent. I can hardly wait to see it done!

Stay tuned for more...

-grampa dan

Fire proof trees

Today was the first day of concrete work on the pub fireplace/sign. The worksite is in a bit of a frenzy with dry wallers, carpenters, electricians and other trades all in the same space so we retreated to the new restaurant area and cleared some space for our crew to work. I had worked on Saturday with the welding of the frame work for the lower portions of the trees - as far as I could go before interfering with the drywall crew. Today we mudded and carved the first section of the fireplace. The mantle was routed from multiple pieces of 30 lb Precision Board, assembled in the shop and then transported and mounted in position. We are sculpting the trees around it and the fireplace.

As I worked the tree and roots came together quickly - a couple hours to apply the cement and about the same time to carve it to shape. As I stood back to look it make me laugh out loud...  it's one of the coolest signs I have done. I have to sell Janis on the idea of including something similar into our new house!

We are having tons of fun in a pub without drinking a drop...

-grampa dan