Hook in the water...

I couldn't resist posting one more time today.  The ShopBot had a nice afternoon carving while I did other things.  The first piece is off of the table and waiting for assembly with other pieces to come very soon.  I hope those other folks get a move on! For reference, the diameter of this piece is 35".  It's a nice size for things like this...

Getting Down To It

Now that Dan has had sufficient time to start his mechanical fish project, I decided to get some work completed on mine.  I began by taking a sketch I completed for the border and using it to build my files in Vectric Aspire.   The sketch was fairly loose, but I knew in my mind what I was trying to do.

From the beginning I had a concept that includes something very special.  The sketches were just a launch pad.  Dan and I wrestled a bit over my sketchbook at a camp...I was determined not to let him see my notes beside the sketches....it would have given away my surprise.  At least now I can show them without spilling the beans by editng off the notes!

So here is my first version in Vectric Aspire:

It will have a secondary piece in back that will be dished. I wasn't completely happy with the result.  I showed it to my friend John Ingles and he asked if the middle was domed.  He hit the nail on the head. I opted to dome the middle, and lower the outer ring.  In Vectric Aspire I simply added a dome shape to the middle, and lowered the height of the outer ring.

That's more like it!  Now I'll begin work on the back pieces that will hold the mechanical beast.
Then it's time to build the mechanical beast:

Rhino What You Mean.

I decided that before I began to paint the Rhino tool sign, I'd check out the website. I wanted to find some inspiration for the paint.

Immediately, there were some things I liked very much.  I thought the yellow/orange fade on the square was great...but one of the things I loved was the yellow/black border.  I like the fact that it's not shiny new. It has some wear on it and it makes it look that much more tough.  So it was time to get some paint on it!

The method for making the border look aged was fun and easy.  First the whole sign was primed. Next, I masked the stripes and painted a wash of silver...then washes of yellow and black.  Once those were dry, I stippled latex rubber over the surfaces....when it was dry I finally painted another coat of yellow and black with much stronger color.  When it was all dry- the fun part was rubbing off all the latex rubber, revealing the slightly dark under color versions....and instant age!

We're running out of sun, so tomorrow I'll try to get some better shots of it from a better angle...

liftoff

Made a bit of progress today on the trailer...attached the second logo, and painted the rocket exhaust.  I also began attaching some bits and pieces and started work on the design for the front piece. I still have to get the web address and some wording put on. 

Something Fishy

I recently met a couple named Jamie and Jody Oxenham.  They live and work in Canada.  The work is amazing! At a recent sign workshop, we discussed a piece Jamie had created:

As Dan Sawatzky and I and Jamie talked, we thought it would be fun to have a little challenge. The idea was for each of us to create another sample based on "The Institute For Study of Mechanical Marine Life".

Actually, I made the challenge. Why? Because I already had a plan in place.  I knew Dan would take the bait as quickly as I threw it out.  He accepted with glee and began sketching before he'd even returned home.

Here is his plan:

Now he has begun work on his, teasing and poking Jamie and I about our progress.
Soon my own creation will come to life and my friends will have little choice but to concede.

Here is an image that expresses my plan for Dan.