One level down - the next underway.

This morning the painting crew jumped right on the giant stump and drum and made great progress! They managed to get the primer coat and good start on the first base coat of paint in place. 

While they painted like mad Peter began work on the next level of the sculpture. He first built the structure for the globe and the housed it over the thick steel base which was lifted from the top of the drum. The heavy structural steel for the giant bugs which will be holding up the world were then welded into place. One more day of welding up the pencil rod will finish the structure for this level. Then it is on to the third level. 

Look closely in the background of the bottom photograph and you can see the model we built for reference.

Where there's smoke - there's a locomotive?

Today was the day when I tried out the electrics and smoke machine on the small locomotive feature for the Sign Invitational Challenge. Lacking experience in smoke machines I quickly learned it is important to size them according to how much smoke is required. We didn't need much for this small locomotive. We got a whole lot! The machine we had acquired was apparently just a little oversize and literally filled the room with smoke in a flash. It was impressive but not quite what I had in mind. A few modifications are obviously needed. This is how we learn.  :)

Iron butterfly

As part of the ride feature/sign we are building, an iron butterfly which will be perched on an upper branch of the tree. Yesterday the giant bug got it's wings. Since it is a mechanical bug the wings are 'actuated' by faux hydraulic cylinders which protrude from the bug's back and attach to the wings Everything is built in sections to facilitate powder coating, shipping and reassembly. There will be some hand sculpting and painting as well to bring out the full character of the creature. It's going to be a fun piece when it is finished and will be unlike anything we've built previously.