When dream projects turn into a real one

A long while ago I started a project for myself as I often do. It was to be a coffee table for my library. It was a sculpture of a knarly old tree featuring many faces of characters in the bark. I got a good start on the piece but we became busy and the table was set aside. Time passed and eventually something else took it's place.

Then a few weeks ago I was contacted by some old friends, asking if I could create a special piece for their house. Along with the request I recieved a number of photos they had taken for inspiration. They were of a grove of 300 year old trees in Louisianna. My client spoke of the history and countless people these trees had seen in their lifetime past and how much more they would see in the future as they were only half grown. I immediately thought of the project I had started long ago that was now lying dormant in my studio. It would be a perfect fit for their wishes. I dusted it off and set it on the workbench once more. This time it will be finished.

Stay tuned for more soon...

-grampa dan

Day of rest.

Sunday is the traditional day of rest and I took it pretty easy too. I managed to sleep in until Phoebe dropped in and could wait no longer for pancakes - a weekend tradition at our house. Grampa makes the very best pancakes it seems. Then I came out to the studio and did a little designing before working on the Shady Rest sign. It was fun to do the details. I couldn't resist hgoing a little crazy. His feet became bare, his stomach a little larger and a floppy hat soon adorned his head. The tree foliage was a first for me and I was pleased with how it turned out. The trick was to make it look delicate while still keeping everything good and strong, for this sign is going out in the elements and someone is sure to give it a tweak or two - just to see how strong it is. It should hold up just fine.

Now it is ready for paint as soon as the sculpting epoxy cures. Stay tuned...

-grampa dan

Time to fly!

Today was sort of a day off. Janis is busy with horse stuff and Phoebe is at a friend's house for a play date. That allowed me alone time in the shop to do some fun stuff... just for me. 

It was the perfect day to finish off the balloon, our first four axis routing job, and hang it in it's permanent home in the library. I dragged my tallest ladder in from outside and drilled the appropriate holes in the vaulted ceiling, then strung the strong aircraft cables. This balloon is definitely heavier than air. I carefully lifted it into position and fastened everything nice and tight, then touched up the small areas that needed it. Then it was time for a photo shoot. I quickly discovered just how tricky it is to shoot good pictures up into my studio lights. The balloon looks great in the library and adds one more cool example of our favorite type of work to the varied display.

-grampa dan