No welding in the shop this morning.

This morning the shop was off limits for regular work. As I've written before we host Pipsqueak Paddocks on our property, a miniature horse rescue society. The dimunitive horses we get are often in need of special care before they are sent on their way to new, loving homes. 

My tools are often commandeered when needed, to fix fences, build paddocks or a hundred other necessary chores. My heavy duty shop scale is often pressed into service as Bec and her voluteers monitor the horse's weights on a regular basis. The shop truck pulls the horse trailer or is used to fetch hay. Today the need was greater. One horse needed surgery and our welding table was cleared, the shop quickly swept out, lights rigged up and the vets moved in.

surgery.png
hrse on the mend.png

The surgery went well. Big Mac, the horse is doing fine and things in the shop will be soon back to normal once again. The shop does smell unusual now - sort of like a hospital. :)

-grampa dan

Layer after layer of color

Through the day I went back to the signs again and again, applying color after color, coat after coat and then the gradually darker layers of glazes. This sign has a minimum of four and up to six coats of paint and glazes on every surface. The result is deep shadows and brilliant highlights brought alive by the layers and textures of the sign and sculpture. I had to wait between each application to allow things to dry. Slowly the signs came to life, shadows deepend and the highlights came to life. The lettering was the last step of the day. The various levels I had routed into the sign made cutting between colors relatively easy and quick.

charles first glaze.png
charles second glaze.png
almost done.png

Tomorrow after the paint dries good and hard I'll apply the last of the glazes to finish off this sign. 

-Stay tuned...

-grampa dan