Year Two Day Two Hundred and Thirty Two - Hand Casting

Dear all,

Today's task was to cast my hand! Well, many casts actually... lots of different 'poses'.

I started out by dunking my hand ( in position) into the 'cooled' pot of molten wax. 

As you can see, it was a very enjoyable experience... I dunked my hand in the wax and then immediately into a bowl of cool water.. and then back in the wax. I was layering the wax onto my hand...

SO, I then had 5 layers of wax on my hand... LUCKILY, I had coated my hand with Vaseline prior to the waxing, after wriggling my fingers gently, I managed to prise my hand out of the cast. 

Here they are! Standing in the nearby box post-hand. 

NEXT: Plaster! I mixed up the plaster and poured it immediately into the moulds.

I left the plaster to set for around 24 hours and then came back to de-mould ( very exciting!). I took a heat gun to the hand... realising quickly 'not' to aim the heat gun at the 'plastic' waste basket nearby *woops*. 

I look happy here... but actually my hands ( plural ) are very hot. 

I started to peal off the wax from the hands *gently* in to the now misshapen waste basket.  

It actually took quite a long time... pick pick pick... careful not to break a finger!

more heat... 

very tricky in the corners... as you can see here. It involved heat and a small tool to extract the wax. 

And here are the finished product! Not perfect... but you can file the plaster to make them look more hand-like.. Mine are purely for reference so I am not too concerned at this stage... They look quiet cool actually. 

My and my forest of hands!!! ( very The Labyrinth!).

Year Two Day Two Hundred and Thirty One - Bala with Joyce

Dear all,

With the promise of Fall, Darren and I set off towards Bala in Muskoka today, to meet with wonderful Joyce who was holidaying there for the week. 

They were staying on Clear Lake, at the Clear Lake Resort, a fabulous spot hid deep in the forest but on the lake! http://clearlakevillageresort.com/

The resort is like a campsite with cottages - rustic and picturesque. The Lake most certainly deserves it's name.... it's crystal clear with a wonderful sand bottom and *Boiling* hot (well... luke warm..)!

Joyce, Darren and I walked down to the lake for a 30 minute sun bath on the famous Muskoka chairs laid out for all to use. If that's not relaxing... then I don't know what is!

Here is a lovely picture of Joyce and her best friend Linda; it was so lovely to see them and such a gorgeous spot! 

Year Two Day Two Hundred and Thirty - Photo Litho

Dear all, 

Back to school and back to the print shop!!! On a gorgeous morning, Karen and I met early to rattle off (all print students will know this is impossible in the print making discipline) our first project for the wonderful Stu (http://www.stuoxley.com/). 

Et Voila.... The Litho Press... many an hour spent cranking this baby.... and here we are again!

I meticulously set up our materials (ink, roller, water, sponge) to get everything started

Here is the dreaded Ink... it's horrid stuff... sticky and with a tar-like quality (bad on clothes). 

I also added Magnesium Carbonate and a very potent (and mysterious) varnish 'number 7' to the ink to prepare it for printing. 

Now to my image! I had taken a photo of a drawing I had prepared for Gary's painting class ( a close up of rose quartz crystal). The image was copied onto acetate. I then manipulated the image using water and a litho crayon ( to enhance the darks). 

Here is the acetate on the light table - a useful tool. As you can see, the lights are looking a 'little' lighter. FYI - with printing, there is a huge element of guess work regarding the finished product. 

Then into the dark room.... no point in taking my camera in there... but here is the mysterious doorway. Inside, we 'shot' the image onto a 'photo-sensitive litho plate', developed the plate... and then we were good to go ( wow - so easy!). 

So, onto the print table! We placed a large aluminium plate on the table ( it's heavy) with the aluminium plate (with the developed image) on top. We need to keep the plate constantly damp ( hence, the sponge).

 
I rolled the ink - this is an art form in itself... it needs to be a very specific density. Also notes the safety equipment; mask, gloves and apron (very important).

And I rolled on the ink! Two lots of two and sponge of water to make sure the plate is damp ( and to stop smudging). 

Then the plastic thingy ( timpin) goes down and you crank the press - it's hard due to the pressure so good for arm muscle tone for anyone interested in fitness. 

Here I am winding the plate through the press. 

We use this yukky grease to make sure it goes through properly

(My least favorite aspect of the press). 

I couldn't do any of this without Karen!!! My amazing friend!

 And here they are.... after some proofs on newsprint... I was off... printing and printing.... ( on post 'BFK' paper.

Just for reference - here are the litho 'stones' - we used these last year... I was too overwhelmed unfortunately to blog about them. I will get around to it - they are a treat. 

All done!!! Hurray! We leave the prints to dry on the rack and then label and sign ready to hand in next Tuesday!

Year Two Day Two Hundred and Twenty Nine - 35th Birthday!

Dear all, 

I am 35!!! Hurray! And despite the torrential downpour I had the most wonderful wonderful day! First up I met Jay and Karla for a fabulous lunch (avec mimosas) at the Tremont. http://www.thetremontcafe.com/

Check our Karla's cheese plate - delectable!

I had a wonderfully fresh and tasty salad with tomatoes and a tart lemon vinaigrette. 

After a trip to the cinema with Darren in the afternoon ( to see Paranorman http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1623288/ which is brilliant), Darren took me to Blue Mountain for an amazing meal at Oliver and Bonacini! http://www.oliverbonacini.com/home.aspx

Here are some of our appetisers - all amazing. It's v posh and delish! Here is the Tuna Tataki (raw.. i think.. but certainly amazing)

And the tempura below. We also shared a rack of ribs (yum). I only took a couple of pics but this will give you an idea. All amazing! 

Thank you everyone for such an amazing bday! All the messages were so wonderful, thank you! 35 is going to be great! 

Year Two Day Two Hundred and Twenty Eight - Back to School

Dear all, 

We are back to school!!! Busy busy, lots of admin and introductory lectures and not many photo opportunities apart from our wonderful new drawing boards!

We have a fabulous new drawing teacher, Sadko and next week we will be doing large scale life drawing in class.. so off to the wood shop Karen and I went to purchase some big chunks of Masonite to sub as drawing boards ( works perfectly with a couple of good strong clips). 

It's wonderful to be back! The 2nd year will be fantastic!!!!