To sculpt a tree we start with the bare wood areas. Yesterday we carved the upper bare branches. Today we concentrated on the bare roots and knots. Tomorrow we will do the remaining areas of the tree with bark. To get the detail we want it is a time consuming process covering every square inch of the tree.We also need to work quickly as concrete waits for no one. To achieve the textures we need we use a variety of tools including stiff brushes, pointing tools, bent wire, and soft brushes. The Bug Whirled sign is quickly coming together!
A good day for bugs
Today was bug day in our shop as we did the sculpting of the six large, mechanical ladybug bodies. Four of the ladybugs struggle to hold up the giant six foot diameter globe. A fifth bug will be dancing on top - in a tutu of course. The sixth ladybug is hanging precariously from the giant twisted tree while holding one end of the the BugWhirled banner. We also managed to sculpt the top branches of that same tree today. It was a good day for bugs!
On to the next
Work continued in the shop as we move towards completing the features for Playland at the PNE. The giant 'wooden' globe is getting more colourful by the hour with the globe portion almost complete and the ribbon getting it's base colour. Tomorrow we will begin the sculpting work on the strongmen ladybugs holding the globe aloft.
The extremely difficult job of applying the wire lath to the complex tree armature is almost complete. This feature will also get some concrete mud applied tomorrow as well.
