I had a nice conversation with Hiroko Sato of the Lowell Sun. Here is the result.

http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_20653264/groton-artist-keeps-his-cool

At my studio in Groton. If you have ever wondered how it's done. Details in the flyer. Lots of hot fun!

Here are photos of the Game Box just before being shipped to Seattle. Great photography by Greg Premru Photography.

 

 

 

 

This waterwheel was built as part of a collaboration with Jay Bearfield, maker of the stonework part of the the installation. The title is "Steampunk Call to Prayer". The bell ringing cycle is dependent upon the water flow. As set up at the show it was on an 11 minute interval. It was able to move under surprisingly low water flow. It was a real joy for me to build and solve the design problems (opportunities!). The most effort was put in trying to slow down the action and get the bell to ring at greater intervals. I want to credit Sculptor Arthur Ganson for the inspiration of the piece and showing me the way.

This will be an interesting experience for all involved. Making art on the fly!

These photos are of chess pieces. Part of a project that I have been working on for some time. It is a "game box". An interesting recepticle of games that contains secret compartments and a set of forged chess pieces. A gift from sister to brother as a celebration of time spent playing games together as children. The black side has a natural finish while the white side is nickel plated. When this is finally complete I'll show Extensive pics. Meanwhile back to work!

Here I am checking the curve against my chalk mark on my work table. Once I have it just right I mark with chalk the next area of the bar I need to heat and bend.

The tool in action. I like to work on this heavy flat table. I can make my curve and know it will stay flat in the other plane.

I've taken the bar out of the forge now to lay it into the tool and give it a little bend. It is important to not get greedy and bend it too much in one place. A bunch of small bends along the the way works best.

So in this sequence I'm using heat to get the steel soft and ready for my bending tool.