Wrapping Wire

    2 weeks to go until installation of the Camas project in Halsey. Tonight, I managed to work all 10 “flower buds” onto a length of rebar. Not too impressive, but with the hand injury it was monumental!  We will see what my hand thinks of it later on. Today was spent primarily inContinue reading “Wrapping Wire”

Ledger Camas

I acquired a wonderful 1967 ledger book while clearing out the parents home after their death. The business name wasn’t included, but I highly suspect it was from the one my dad worked for. After ripping out several back pages and torturing them like crazy (and boy, did I torture them!), I determined they couldn’tContinue reading “Ledger Camas”

Right to Left

I think the time has come to start focusing more on what can be done with the backdrop for the upcoming installation than on producing more camas plants. I need to accept that my body will not allow me to create more camas sculptures at this stage. It’s just not physically possible. In fact, typingContinue reading “Right to Left”

Half-way done?

Motivation has been sliding out the door along with my energy levels. Yes, I get bored quickly when having to create multiples of anything and that’s probably why I attempt projects like this. It forces me to confront this problem head on. That’s probably why I never settle on just one art form to pursue. I’mContinue reading “Half-way done?”

Ash Flower

Finally getting close to wrapping up the 3rd camas plant. The black bits on the petals are crumbled up ashes from a book. I’ve run out of rebar and haven’t been able to find another source of recycled/reused material. The local Habitat for Humanity shops are totally empty (but have a great supply of hollowContinue reading “Ash Flower”

Another one completed

Second one down, 10 more to go! I ended up disliking the paper from this particular book. It was way too thick and that lead to a lot of page prep before being able to glue it onto the forms. Note to self: test paper before going full speed ahead! I think I’ve found aContinue reading “Another one completed”

Burn

How does one represent a major city burn? You burn something, of course! This morning I had a full flower for the previous piece that I really disliked. Rather than scrap the whole thing, I set it alight and harvested the ashes. The wire frame was recovered with paper #2 and looks lovely. Flower stalkContinue reading “Burn”

Second in the works

The second camas has proven to be more challenging. First off, the paper is much stiffer and thicker than the dress patterns. I had to do quite a bit of prep work on the pages to get them softened up enough. I think one would call it “distressing”. When everything was attached and dried, IContinue reading “Second in the works”

One down, 11 more to go!

Only 11 more to go before August 31! What an enormous task! I just have to focus on one at a time.  The next Camas creation will be made from a 1958 copy of “Douglas Fir Use Book” that belonged to my father. There is a large pulp mill in Halsey and I feel likeContinue reading “One down, 11 more to go!”

Camas Flower

Well, here is the first finished flower for Camas Stalk #1. Things are progressing forward nicely and I’m feeling pretty pleased with it. Yesterday was a bit of a battle with all the doctor appointments plus a trip to Eugene in 95 F (35 C) heat. So happy today will be cooler. Today’s push willContinue reading “Camas Flower”