Kyana Rock Show 2015

November 20,21 and 22 was the Annual Mineral, Gem and Fossil Show hosted by the Kyana Geological Society at Camp Crestwood.

 There were quite a few dealers set up selling minerals, fossils, gems and finished jewelry.  We know many of these dealers and club members on a personal basis and it's great to see them all again.  ....and, of course, lots of rocks...

 ...and more pretty rocks.

 There are other things that catch my attention besides rocks...

 Here's a shameless plug for the BBQ vendor.  You should see how much chicken you get for $3 - or rib tips for $5!

 Meg has a great eye - she found these pyrite crystals in a nest of Peruvian quartz (that I totally missed).

This was my favorite purchase of the day - Selenite Desert Roses from Mexico.
The new venue for the Kyana show is a little hard to find, but it's worth the trip if you like Earth's natural treasures.

Owensboro Sculpture Installation

Monday, November 16th was the day that was chosen for Meg and I to install our stone sculptures in Owensboro, Kentucky.  They were both to be permanent installations in the midst of the newly developed riverfront.  What Owensboro is doing with their riverfront is amazing!  Also, they have a very effective Public Art program that is leaving many larger cities in the dust!

 We started the day with this crane...

 ....I thought that we'd be using this crane...

 ...almost used this crane...

 ....and finished with this crane.  (It was my first 4-crane installation; that's got to be some kind of record).

 We installed Meg's sculpture "Escape" first.  (How about that Osprey mural in the background!)
Dereck Sheroan, our main crane operator for the last 8 years, is giving signals to Patrick Wood of Sterett Crane Company. 

 Jason Hayden of the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art is helping us tweak the template that will determine where to drill the hole for the stainless steel pin.  Mary Bryan Hood, Executive Director of OMFA, was also present to help with the final positioning of the pieces.  Meg White, as the artist, directed this entire installation, but you never see her in  any pictures because she's behind the camera.

 Next, a hole was drilled into the concrete, the epoxy mixed...

 ...then we started the sculpture over the stainless steel pin and set the piece onto some boards (in order to get the slings out from under the sculpture).

 Lelan Hancock, deputy Director of public works with the City of Owensboro, helped guide the sculpture back to the predetermined alignment as I pivoted the piece with the help of the crane.  We used choker hitches to remove the boards from under the sculpture.  (That's a true choker hitch - in every sense of the word).

 Next, it was my turn to install Oberon.

 Touchdown!  Oberon has landed.

If those are tears, they're tears of joy.  The rain had started to pick up about the time that we were finished.  We wrapped everything up and then Meg and I went out to try some of Owensboro's world famous BBQ.

All photos Meg White 2015

Bench for The Woodlands, Texas

Monday, I received news that I had won one of 6 commissions in the Woodlands Waterway Art Bench competition.

 We were informed that work could commence immediately.  I already had the stone - it measured 10-1/2 feet long by 3-1/2 feet wide by 2-1/2 feet at the thick end and weighed about 9,000 lbs.

 The first thing that I did was lay out the design onto the stone and inscribed the lines with the diamond blade on a 4-1/2" grinder.

 I didn't need all of the 10-1/2 feet, so I split off the thin end by drilling holes and inserting feathers and wedges.  My proposal has the bench at 6 feet of length, but I'm going to try making it 8 feet since I have the extra stone.

 As you hammer in the wedges, they put pressure on the feathers and create a crack.  Here, you can see the piece split from the end and the left hand corner that I also wanted to remove.

 While the block was on its side, this was the time to make (what will be) the bottom flat.  I also pre-drilled 2 holes that I will use during installation to fasten the functional sculpture to the concrete footer with stainless steel pins and epoxy.

 Friday the 13th was the lucky day.  Dereck Sheroan brought the 23 ton crane from JBB, Inc. to help me move the preformed block to the studio.  The first thing that we did was stand the piece upright.

 Then, he loaded it onto the back of the crane.  At this point, we found that it weighs 7,800 lbs.  It will loose about half that weight before it is finished.

 We took the block over to the studio and loaded it onto the rail cart.

Here it is - ready to be rolled inside for carving. The 10,000 lb. stone next to it belongs to Meg and she will be sculpting a mother Gorilla on her back and playfully holding up her baby Gorilla above her. 

Riverboat Bench Installation

Monday, October the 26th was the day that was scheduled for the removal of our sculptures from Yew Dell Gardens.  We were also going to deliver and install the Riverboat Bench that sold during the show.

 The fall colors were at full peak, making it a beautiful and enjoyable drive up and back.

 Once loaded, we left Yew Dell Gardens and headed toward Lagrange.

 Dereck Sheroan (our favorite crane operator) had loaded us up at Yew Dell with the 23 ton crane truck.  He followed us over to the future home for the bench.

 I drilled a couple holes to pin the sculpture to the footer while Dereck set up his crane.

 Eric and I watch as Dereck brings the sculpture toward the footer.

 One of the hardest parts is getting the rigging out from under the piece.  I was glad for the extra pairs of hands.

 The functional sculpture is in its new home among the roses.  Nothing to do now but pick up the installation supplies and go enjoy a GREAT lunch at Bully BBQ, which is located right across from Oldham County High School.

Smile...

All photos Meg White 2015