One more!

As we begin the latest large project it is my personal challenge to get ahead of my ever growing crew. They in turn take great joy in pushing me constantly with their rapid progress. They of course work only forty hours per week. I on the other hand can put in some extra time to stay ahead if I have to. 

My job description includes the design, managing the crew, creating the routing files and running the machine, welding up the structural frames for the features and doing a little sculpting as I am able. My talented and hard working helpers attach the expanded lath, help with the sculpting and do most of the painting. There is one of me and currently eight of them.

It all works well until I get interrupted to take phone calls, attend meetings, do site visits, and a hundred other things that happen each day that are not in my plans. This means I can and will cheat a little to stay ahead of my fine crew (when they aren't looking)

Today (while they were off enjoing the weekend) I spent a couple hours in the shop welding up one more feature for the project. I also couldn't resist gluing up the sign that perches on top. The bird is yet to come.

This sign, like many of the other projects will be tricky to attach the lath, mud, sculpt and paint as well. My crew believes I do it complicated just so I can keep ahead. :)

-grampa dan

Engineer sign-off

I spent the afternoon in a room full of engineers as we worked out the many details of the new park. Our task was to figure out how we could use conventional methods and materials to build something pretty exceptional. We went through page after page of blueprints, referencing my concept art and I filled a good part of a sketchbook scribbing quick drawings to help everyone understand how it would all work and fit together in a way that satisfied everyone. These fellows have to sign off on all my designs and our work when we are done.

The meeting went exceptionally well and was over much, much quicker than I imagined. We have a wonderful team of supporting professionals, eager to work with us and help to realize this cool project. It is going to be a lot of fun!

As I got back to my studio this evening I was looking over the work the crew did in my absence. I grabbed this cool shot of the cactus framework as the last light faded from the sky.

It's been a wonderful first week of progress - thanks to the efforts of a hard working crew.

-grampa dan

First sculpted concrete!

In the first four days of our project we have made great progress. I've spent many hours under my welding helmet doing up the structural frames for the wagon and horse, a directional sign, one cactus and the beginnings of another tree. The CNC router is busy routing the first of many signs and other projects are in the beginning stages. I've also been busy with planning meetings and drawing the concept plans for the engineer to look over and comment on. 

The crew has been busy attaching the wire lath onto my welded frames and also finishing up a variety of old projects as we clear the deck for the big one. Plans and preparations are also being carried out for the fast approaching workshops while work continues in the house as well. It's been a little frantic at times.

Today the first piece was mudded and carved. True to style, Peter went a little crazy applying the fiberglass-reninforced-concrete to the entire wagon and two of the wheels. It wasn't set enough to start the carving until about 3:30 so Hailey and I jumped in to help. We were done just afer 5:30 - only one hour of overtime was necessary. The end result was spectacular however and a major milestone was achieved only four days after starting this project.

Chris, the owner, was by shortly after the carving was begun and was all smiles. It's great when a plan comes together! Stay tuned for more progress...

-grampa dan