Painting a Few Placemats and the final Garden God

After a two week wait, I've finally got around to pulling out the paints. 

To begin, Beau drilled a hole in the last concrete Garden God so we could hang on a tree (the hook didn't appropriate setup in the concrete) and asked that I go ahead and paint it.  

I don't think he's going to give him a name. 

I decided to warm up by creating a couple sets of table placemats.  I'll perhaps, put a couple in my shop and one set I want to send to a niece who is getting married in August.    (After here, I plan on moving to the 3 guitars that I've picked up recently).

Creating these placemats is a multiple step process that I've been working on over the last couple days.

• Cut  4 strips that are 72" x 20" from the roll of artist canvas.   
• Paint the front of the canvas with acrylic paints (with a couple different techniques).
• Apply a wash to the backside of the canvas. 
• Apply layers of spray paints
• Add writings .. some freeform, a Lancelot Poem, etc. 
• Add stampings in a variety of colors
• Two coats of Polyacrylic to seal.

I like to work the canvas all in one piece, versus cutting down to placemat size for continuity.  I'm wanting these unplanned.  The same patterns and ideas on each placemat, put not in specific order ... like graffiti on a wall.

I should finish up on the painting phase tomorrow.    Here's a couple examples so far. 

1st layer of acrylic paint and 2nd layer of spray paint

3rd layer of stencils, stamps and doodles.   I decided to leave the writings out of this set.

Here is one of the canvas that is complete.

I'll be working on these more tomorrow.

Concrete Garden Gods, Sculptural Masks

Back in early January I sculpted four concrete masks using a sand technique.   Then, they were wrapped up in a plastic bag with water to cure.   I checked on them early March and moved them to the back porch, where they have been keeping a watch on whatever it is that goes on back there.

Well, since I've a variety of things lined up for painting, I moved these to the front.    Originally there were four masks, but on one of them, the hook did not properly embed in the back.   I started to throw it out, but Beau put a claim on it.   He's going to drill a hole in the forehead for hanging on a tree.

For the remaining three ... painted them with a base coat to seal the concrete, and then painted on some personality and sealed with polyacrylic.   These guys weight between 2.4 and 2.12 pounds and are roughly 7" wide and between 8 and 11" tall.

Proudly presenting the three newest Garden Gods. 

Ancient History in my Bellsouth Personal Web Page

Way before I had a blog, I maintained an Arts Diary on the Bellsouth Personal Web Pages.  These were my early years of experimenting with mosaic, glass and concrete.  I maintained this online diary between August 2002(when I discovered the ease of documenting online, versus writing in journals),and July 2006, when I discovered more user friendly platforms.     The diary entries were maintained in a calender, where I posted about each individual project daily.     You are welcome to look, if you wish. 

Bellsouth was our Internet Provider and they gave us the web space for free.  They were later bought out by AT&T and the space has remained.  

I want to check on it yesterday and I couldn't gain access to the site, it wouldn't allow me to sign in, which meant I couldn't access the entries.   I called AT&T, who told me the servers were shut down  in February and everything in the web pages was gone.   When I protested (as I'd been there a month or so ago), I was directed to another department, who directed me to another department, who directed me back to the first department I had talked with.   Yep, the Corporate Run-Around.   Lots of chickens with bit-parts and no one with the overall picture. 

So, I searched for info in online forums and generally wasted my entire morning, and then ..... drum roll please .... it let me in and everything was there, just like I'd left it.   I sure wish I knew what I did in case this happens again.

But, the point here is, a number of forum posts made it pretty clear that AT&T are going to take this platform down sometime in the (perhaps near) future.   Which means, I've got to go to the work of transferring it, or loosing it, which I hate to do.      So, I've decided that I'm going to transfer it here, as ancient history.

I don't know how this will impact Readers, if it will show up, or not because the entries will be backdated.   I hope it won't be a nuisance. 

The Big A .... A Continuing Saga

 Every Spring I go out into the yard to review the status of all my yard art creations.   All of them need bleached and washed, some need new hanging wires or repainted, some (particularly if wood, and not concrete based) have warped and are ready for their next journal ... to the dump. 

Which, brings me to the Big A ... (otherwise called the monstrosity) in the backyard.  I'll start with a brief recap for those of you not familiar with my 'yard art gone wrong' project.
Summer, 2005:   I had a vision for a concrete & mosaic sculpture, which I was going to call 'Lonesome Road'.  A built a form using roof flashing on a sheet of plywood (as well as a rectangular base for it to set on), and poured the concrete.   A month later, after curing, the big reveal showed it did not anywhere meet my vision for 'Lonesome Road.    In reality, to me, it appeared to be a Big A.   We set it up in the yard to think about it for awhile. 
August 30, 2005:   Hurricane Katrina blew through and dropped a big tree on it, knocking it over, but not hurting it all.  
Spring 2006:  Cleaned it up and decided to mosaic it anyway.   Put together a plan, got some glass ready and started.   By June, decided I didn't like it and stopped. 
Spring 2007:   Cleaned it up and chiseled off the glass.
Spring 2008:  Decided to try a more random mosaic and again began apply glass.  By June, decided I didn't like it and stopped.
Spring 2009:   Cleaned it up and chiseled off the glass.


Spring 2010:   Enough is enough ....   I purchased some paint that will cover up the imperfections and get it over with!

















So, one might ask, do I like it now.   NO; not really.   But, it does look better and it kind of fades into the color of the background fence, making it not quite as big of a sore thumb.    And, truth be told ... it's permanent; I'm certainly not hauling it up to the front for the garbage men to haul away ....  

Ms Leis reinvented as Muse of Bountiful Blessings

Prelude:  In preparation for another change to The Big A (which I'll discuss in another post), I stopped by K-Mart on the way home from yard sales and bought 5 cans of black spray paint and 2 cans of gray textured stone paint.   I thought I give the paint a try-out before tackling The Big A.

Ms Fleur-di-Leis :   Ms. Leis has spent much of her life being an after thought.  Back in those days when I was hand moulding concrete torso's, I decided to make one the full thickness.   And thus, this torso was created.    I didn't like her (at this thickness) much and so, she spent a couple a year or two hanging on the fence in a far corner of the yard.   Then, upon a long overdue whim, (Spring of '95 I think), I cleaned out the area and decided that I really must do something with the concrete torso (throwing her away just didn't feel like the right option), so I took her inside and painted her red with a black Fleur-di-Leis pattern.    Then, I took her back outside, to the opposite side of the yard and hung her back on the fence.    And, other than a month or so stint tucked away inside the shed for Hurricane Katrina, she's been on that fence.    I check her out frequently as a type of study -- durability of acrylic paint on concrete in full sun (versus a couple painted pieces I have in the shade).      She's pretty faded, making her a good candidate for a makeover.

So, I brought her down and cleaned her with a bleach solution and let her dry in the sun for a couple hours.   Then, sprayed her with a coat of black spray paint.   Dry for another hour and then sprayed with a coat of the Textured Stone Spray Paint.      Hummm .... boring; but, I suppose, better than she was looking.

Along her her new wardrobe, I moved her over to hang with the carved concrete dancers, a mirror experiment that's still holding up quite well and one of the concrete tub planters.   This area overlooks the tomato garden where she can be Beau's Muse of Bountiful Blessings.

Concrete Garden Gods - WIP

Yesterday dawned with no expectations.   Beau went off to the Nature Center and I had a solid 7 hours to myself.   A perfect opportunity to play with the concrete that's been calling. 

I'd also worked concrete in the shed, but with the temperature being in the 40's (I'm not much fond of the cold) decided I'd work in the studio.   Layed out old sheets on the floor and drafting table.   Brought in the mylar sheet to use as the surface. 

Step 1:
Wet down a bucket of sand and formed 4 sand mounds to become the hollow base for my faces.  Inserted 'S' hooks into the sand.  (The part sticking out will embed into the concrete).    Sprayed the sand several times with additional water; it's important the sand is moist wo it does not suck the moisture out of the concrete. 

Step 2:
I mixed the Sand Topping Mix 6 cups at a time in a small bucket to a cookie dough consistency.   Formed small patties with the 'crete' mix and gently patted into place, covering the entire top and sides of each of the mounds at about an approx. 3/4" thickness.

Step 3:
Using small amounts of mix at a time, formed the facial features on each of the masks.   The first two (Upper Left = Puget; Upper Right = Allister) took on an immediate personality with me and I named them as they appeared.  The second two just happened.   

Step 4:  Allowed them to set-up for about 4 hours, then using a small barbecue brush, smoothed out a few creases and blemishes.    Sprayed with water every couple hours, until bedtime, with water to keep the curing mix hydrated.

Step 5:  This morning, gently picked up each face and scrapped the sand mixture out the back, revealing decently shaped hollow areas.  (Only one S hook slipped from position; but I should be able to caulk it into place later).     Scrapped the edges with a thingie (those things that northerners use to scrape ice from windshields).   Using a sanding block, lightly sanded the faces to remove the roughness. 

Step 6:   Put into a plastic garbage bag on the back porch and added about a gallon of water.  Tied the bag closed.      Generally, I leave concrete a month to cure in a moist environment, but with vacation coming up, these guys will probably stay in the bag until Mid-February.

It felt good to be playing with the 'crete again.   Found myself thinking about dogs and knomes and how I don't have any diamond mesh, and where there might be stucco work in progress where I could get diamond mesh, etc. etc. etc.       Maybe when we get back from vacation and the weather gets a bit warmer and I can move back to the shed.

Concrete is calling me

Recently while reading in the Self Taught Artist Blog I came across this incredible picture of concrete faces on the side of a wall.   They called to me.   I set them as a background image on my laptop and look at them frequently.  Paula captured their feel wonderfully in her photograph. 

This lone picture started me to thinking of concrete; a concrete longing you may say.   Just when I thought those days were over.    Now, I'm surrounded by concrete art that I created between 2001 and 2005.    The thing about all my concrete art was I had no interest in marketing or selling it ... just creating more.   It became an obsession for quite awhile.   The 'I Wonder' and 'What if' syndrome.   So, when one piece was finished and I needed the space to start the next, I simple moved it to the yard; plenty of space out there.   And, so it went.   And, its still there; partof the landscape and for the most part, something I mostly don't even notice.  

But, as I was saying, concrete thoughts started again with the site of Paula's photo.   Calling me.   I finally gave up, and stopped by Home Depot last week and headed to the concrete/mortar department.   It was like 'ole home' week.   I went up and down the aise a couple times looking at all the choices and decided on ONE 60 pound bag of topping mix.      Beau just smiled when I got home and offered to haul it to the shed for me.

I want to create some more faces, however, must have a full day open to do so.   Sandcast the mortar, let it set a couple hours and sculpt.   But, there's been holiday and/or family obligations almost every day and I'm still waiting for the window of available, uninterrupted time.   

I can hear it; concrete calling. 

Concrete Mirror 01 - Tutorial

 6/13/2002 :  Transferred this entry from my Bellsouth Calender.    I hung this piece on the back fence with the idea that I'd evaluate the mirror haze situation as it went along.   The haze did clear within a week or so, however, within a year the cement started deteriorating the silver backing on the mirror.    It remains on the back fence. 

C-Mirror01
Friday, September 20, 2002

 C-Mirror01 is going to be an outside mirror with a concrete backing.

Making the Mold:
a) Drew pattern out on paper bag.
b) Cut out pattern - inside mirror frame and outside of frame.
c) Traced pattern onto sheet of 1" styrofoam, making sure there was at least 1 1/2" of stryofoam on each side of pattern.
d) Cut outside of pattern with box and kitchen knife from styrofoam.
Note: This cutout piece now serves as the mold.
e) Traced the inside shape of the pattern onto 1/8" styrofoam.
f) Cut out that piece of styrofoam.
Note: This piece will serve to make pattern for mirror. (This will be more understandable later). 

Selected glass and ornaments to apply to C-Mirror01.

C-Mirror01
 Saturday, September 21, 2002

 a)Cut the blue and white glass and flowers down to desired size.
b) Nipped edges of all the cut glass.
(This outside piece should not be subject to much touching; I'm not going to deburr the glass).
 
C-Mirror01
Sunday, September 22, 2002

a) Layed out gem and flowers in approx. placement.
b) Mixed batch of wallpaper paste and put in cool whip container for short term keeping. (Will last a couple of weeks).
c) started applying glass to paper pattern. Nipped pieces, as needed, to conform to space it must fit within. (Note that the pattern, are upcoming color are marked on the pattern).

Note: This is a reverse mosaic technique. The glass is applied to the paper upside down and held in place using wallpaper paste. Later, the paper (with glass attached), will be moved onto bottom board, inside of mold, and mirror, concrete, etc. applied over top .... continue watching if you do not understand).

C-Mirror01 
Monday, September 23, 2002

Completed attaching glass to paper pattern, until completed.

(This is always fun ... even though I'm careful in making sure I get the right color in the right section, I never really know if I've got it right until it's done and I remove the paper).

Set aside to dry. It will probably be several days before I cut mirror and complete concrete process as the weather man says we might be having a hurricane. (Got to get everything ready).
C-Mirror01 & 02 
Saturday, September 28, 2002

C-Mirror01&02 are being worked simultaneously. As such, I'll mix pictures of the two together at this stage, as everything is being done the same.

a) Cut 1/2" piece of styrofoam same size as outside of frame. (Note, there is nothing magical about the 1/2". It just happens I have a couple sheets of this size hanging around). This becomes the bottom piece that will support the mosaic & concrete until the frame is removed.
B) Attached mirror frame to bottom using duct tape. Note that the duct tape goes all the way up the sides of the inside frame. This will keep outside edge of concrete nice.
c) Picked up paper pattern with mosaic and laid into frame. Placed the center 1/8" styrofoam piece, previously cut, in center.
d) Cut Mirror from large piece of sheet mirror.
e) Cut strip pieces of stucco mesh to use as reinforcement for the concrete.

At this point, we are ready to proceed with concrete ..... except the LSU vs. MS game is coming on TV. I'm going to put all this away and move inside and work on something where I can watch the game. (If I open the doors, my studio overlooks the living room, and I have a direct shot at the TV. Aren't you glad I shared that with you.)


C-Mirror01 
Monday, September 30, 2002

a) Put toothpicks in center 1/8" sytrofoam piece to hold in place.
b) Mixed up a bucket of dry cement/grout/sand mixture. Will work with the mixture 1 - 2 cups at a time.
c) Mixed up small amount of cement mix on dry side. Pressed into crevices between glass shards and along inside outside edges of mirror frame.
d) Placed mirror face side down over 1/8" styrofoam piece.
e) Put in another layer of cement mix to bring up even with mirror. 

a) Layed pieces of stucco mesh over pressed concrete to give piece some support. Note that two 'S' hooks are inserted into stucco. These will supply a way to hang mirror when complete.
b) Applied additional layer of cement mix, pressing though stucco mesh.
c) Continued applying layers, pressing and smoothing to ensure no air pockets, until cement level with top of frame.
d) Smoothed again and applied light texture to top (back) with hands.
e) Applied mirror number, date and initials.
f) Wrapped up in plastic. Will let sit until tomorrow afternoon, then will break off mold.
C-Mirror01
Tuesday, October 1, 2002

Removed plastic and made room to work on piece. Lifted and turned over so mirror is now facing up.

a) Broke off styrofoam frame, in small chunks, around outside. Lightly rasped the back edge to remove sharpness.
b) Loosened duct tape from edges, lifted concrete piece and pulled off from bottom.
c) Lifted out 1/8" styrofoam piece that is laying over top of the mirror. (This both protected the mirror, as well as created an 1/8" space between the mirror and top of frame).
d) Sprayed paper pattern covering glass shards with water bottle. Let set for a couple minutes to loosen paper, then pulled paper off.
e) Carefully rasped top edges of outside/inside of frame to remove sharp edge/crease points.
f) Sprayed mirror down with water mist; wrapped back up in plastic and set aside to cure. Top and edges of piece still appear to fragile to handle. 


C-Mirror-01
Friday, October 25, 2002

C-Mirror-01 was created the week of 9/20 and has been curing in the back yard holding area ever since. Pulled out, unwrapped plastic and inspected. The mirror has a haze, but everything else looks good.

Took to back porch and cleaned both the mosiac glass and mirror with a soft cloth and vinegar.

Cut a piece of wire and attached to S-Hooks in back. Hung on fence ... as this piece has a haze on the mirror (not sure why ... will have to research); it is not 'for-sale' quality.

Concrete Mirror 02 - Tutorial

 6/14/2002:  Transferred from my Bellsouth Art Diary.  Apparently I did not finish documenting this piece ... i.e., attaching the coat hooks.   I did attach the coat hooks and hang on the back fence.   Over time, three of the fence hooks fell off.   It could have been easily reattached with a little silicone caulk or mortar; I just didn't.  It still hangs on the back fence.

C-Mirror02
Event Times
Monday, September 23, 2002

 

 Start another concrete mirror. I have a large sheet of mirror in the shed that came from a neighbors bathroom (they were remodeling and trashed it) that I'd like to use up and get out of the way. Large sheets of mirror are always dangerous to have leaning around.

1) Cut open paper bag and decided on pattern for mirror frame.
2) Measured and drew outline on paperbag.
c) Cut out pattern - inside and outside.
d) Traced inside mirror pattern onto sheet of 1/8" styrofoam and cut out. This is used to apply inside frame pattern on mirror glass.
e) Traced outside pattern onto sheet of 1" styrofoam and cut outside of pattern. (This piece of sytrofoam forms the 1" sides of the mirror frame.
f) Traced outline of hooks onto 1/8" styrofoam and cut out. These outlines will serve as placeholders for the hooks when the concrete is poured. 
C-Mirror02
Event Times
Tuesday, September 24, 2002

 a) Selected glass shards, gems and tile pieces from available inventory.
b) Put coat hook in paint box and spray painted bright yellow. (Note - applied the coats to quickly; coat hooks are soaking in paint thinner; will have to be redone in a couple of days).
C) Cut glass shards down to appropriate sizes and nipped edges to remove sharp points. (I'm not deburring as is for outdoor use).
d) Sorted flower shards to color - pink/green/yellow for ease of use.
e) Cut tile pieces to appropriate size.

C-Mirror02
Event Times
Wednesday, September 25, 2002

 a) Refreshed premade wallpaper paste by adding a little water and remixing (I like to work with in on the dry, not soupy side). Note, all guing of pieces to paper pattern is with wallpaper paste.
b) Glued down styrofoam cutouts for coat hooks.
c) Applied dark blue shards to four corner dividers.
d) Layed out initial design pattern with tiles and gems. Glued in place.


C-Mirror02
Event Times
Thursday, September 26, 2002

 a) Continued applying glass shards to paper pattern.
b) Finished applying shards. This one came to a close call. When done, I had a whole three pieces of the floral pattern left!!.
d) Picked up mess and put away. Set aside mirror form.

(Tropical Storm Isadore came through over the last two days. In preparation, the garage and shed are packed down with all the outside stuff. Tomorrow will still be too wet -- almost 10" of rain in 15 hours --, and Saturday is LSU game, guys are gone. So, point of this dialog is, I can't get to the mirror glass in the shed, or concrete, or anything else I need until Monday. So, this project (as well as C-Mirror01) will just have to wait. 

C-Mirror01 & 02
Event Times
Saturday, September 28, 2002

 C-Mirror01&02 are being worked simultaneously. As such, I'll mix pictures of the two together at this stage, as everything is being done the same.

a) Cut 1/2" piece of styrofoam same size as outside of frame. (Note, there is nothing magical about the 1/2". It just happens I have a couple sheets of this size hanging around). This becomes the bottom piece that will support the mosaic & concrete until the frame is removed.
B) Attached mirror frame to bottom using duct tape. Note that the duct tape goes all the way up the sides of the inside frame. This will keep outside edge of concrete nice.
c) Picked up paper pattern with mosaic and laid into frame. Placed the center 1/8" styrofoam piece, previously cut, in center.
d) Cut Mirror from large piece of sheet mirror.
e) Cut strip pieces of stucco mesh to use as reinforcement for the concrete.

At this point, we are ready to proceed with concrete ..... except the LSU vs. MS game is coming on TV. I'm going to put all this away and move inside and work on something where I can watch the game. (If I open the doors, my studio overlooks the living room, and I have a direct shot at the TV. Aren't you glad I shared that with you.)


C-Mirror02
Event Times
Monday, September 30, 2002

 Cement mix: 3 parts grout; 3 parts sifted sand; 1 part portland cement. Mix moistened and used 1 - 3 cups at a time.

a) Pressed mix (on dry side) into spaces between glass shards and mirror edges.
b) Set mirror in place, face side down, over top of 1/8" styrofoam middle insert.
c) Applied another layer to cement to bring level with mirror.
d) Laid in pieces of stucco mesh in middle and along sides, over top of existing cement mixture. (This is reinforcement for the concrete. Note that two "s" hooks are inserted to the mesh to act as hooks for wire hanging.
e) Pressed another layer of cement through the stucco mesh.
f) Continued applying layers of cement mix until level with top of frame.
g) Smoothed out with hands to form a light texture on back.
h) Stencilled in Mirror number, date and initials.
i) Wrapped in plastic. Will hold and release from mold tomorrow afternoon. 

C-Mirror02
Event Times
Monday, September 30, 2002

I did a lousy job painting these coat hooks yellow, last week. Obviously, I applied the paint to thick ... they looked real sorry.

So .... laid out the coat hooks on plastic and applied paint stripper. Allowed to sit 10 minutes, then wiped off paint/stripper with paper towels. Cleaned with water and dried thoroughly.
Put in paint box (old wooden wine box) and applied a light coat of pink paint. 

C-Mirror02
Event Times
Tuesday, October 1, 2002

 a) Removed plastic wrap from piece and turned over so mirror side is facing up.
b) Gently broke off pieces of outside styrofoam frame.
c) Loosed duct tape from outside edges, lifted piece and pulled from bottom.
c) Rasped outside edges to remove sharp and/or uneven areas.
d) Removed 1/8" styrofoam piece the is over the mirror.
e) Sprayed paper with light mist of water and waited a couple minutes for the moisture to loosen the glue. Pulled off the paper.
f) Removed the small sytrofoam inserts that are the placeholders for the coat hooks.
g) Sprayed piece with water and re-wrapped in plastic.
h) Moved to holding section to allow mirror to cure for a few more days before handling further. 

CMirror-02
Event Times
Friday, October 25, 2002

Pulled CMirror-02 from curing section in back yard where it has been wrapped up in plastic the last three weeks. Removed plastic and inspected. Overall, looks pretty good.

a) Moved into shed.
b) Mixed about 5 tablespoons of cement/grout/sand mix. (I had previously set some aside from the same mix that was used for the mirror in a plastic bag to complete this project.
c) Filled the hole spaces that had been made by the styrofoam forms for the coat hooks.
d) Set the coat hooks in place.
e) Cleaned up cement mix that oozed out the sides with a toothpick.
f) Let set for about 30 minutes, then cleaned mosaic glass and mirror using soft cloths with vinegar.

Set aside to consider next steps, or if it is complete .... except for sealing.