Texas Bench Installation

Monday, February 22 was the date set for the installation of my "Family Tree" bench in The Woodlands, Texas.  All of these pictures (except the last 2) were taken by Michelle Betcher who is the Project Manager for The Woodlands Township.

 I made the 900 mile trip down in 2 days with this flat bed truck from Thrifty Rental.  I'd loaded the 4,000 lb. sculpture the previous week with a 23 ton crane from JBB, Inc. and Dereck Sheroan as the operator.

 On the left is John Powers who is the Assistant General Manager for The Woodlands Township.  He made all the arrangements for the site preparation and scheduled the crane.  I love the name of this crane company:  Heave Ho Crane Co.

 This is a great photo by Michelle.  We're rigging up the sculpture for the lift.

 The operator, Mike Rasberry, was excellent to work with.  He was "spot-on" for the entire lift.  I totally recommend these folks for the Houston area!

 On the left is Brandon who was with me for the entire setting.  It's great to work with experienced people; it takes some of the stress off me.

 There was a lot of help from other City employees.  They anticipated my needs before I could even ask for help.  That just makes things go that much smoother.

 Will it hold me up?  You bet!  Installations are stressful and even after 33 years it never seems to get easier.  However, my experience with the people in The Woodlands was exemplary.  I wish that all installations would go this way.

 Burning Down the House?  I noticed this on the way down.

This close-up shows that it has lights as part of this ...public art?

The Small Stuff

With the Texas commission finished, I turned my efforts toward some small pieces - a way of "clearing my palate" before heading into the next large project, I guess.

 I started easy with this "Stairway to the Stars" bookend.  When I was making it, I was thinking about it being a monumental piece that someone could walk up.  I may do something like that - you never know...It's Indiana Limestone and measures 7" high by 8" wide by 4" thick and retails for $95.

 ...and speaking of stars...I did this "Shooting Star" vessel in a piece of Brazilian Marble.  It measures 20" long by 7" wide by 3-1/2" high and retails for $340.

 Then, I made a "Windswept Vase" in Indiana Limestone that will retail for $280.

 This is the view from the other side...  It measures 7" high by 7" deep by 16" wide.

 ...and the top view showing the complex interior.

 It's snowing again today...and freezing temperatures are here to stay for a few days yet (and more snow to come).

A crowd of Cardinals took over the feed table today.  I count 30, but there may be more as the females are hard to see.

Texas Bench Finished

It's been a while since I've posted....

 I've finally finished the bench for The Woodlands, Texas.  This is the view from one side...

 ...and this is the view from the other.

 My original proposal called for leaves to be polished, like the leaves in "Crucible" which will be installed at the University of Indianapolis later this year...

 ...or like the leaves on "Release" in Fort Nugent Park of Oak Harbor, Washington.

 This is a detail that shows how I finished these leaves.  I used a chisel texture to give more "life" to the piece.  I came upon this solution serendipitously as I carved the piece.  I think it's a HUGE improvement to what I originally envisioned.

 I had put in a lot of work during November and December because I knew that snow and freezing temperatures were inevitable.  We got several inches of snow between January 10 and January 25...and they're calling for more snow next week.

 A group of Grackles took over the feed table during the snow days...

...and the cat was stuck inside with me.

Sculpture Progress & Sculpture Dedication

We've had unusually warm weather for November and December.  I've made fast and furious progress on the bench for The Woodlands, Texas.  I'm hoping to be finished before it turns seriously cold or snowy.

On the last posted pictures of this project, I had placed the preformed block on the rail cart.  Next, I needed to get a large volume of stone out of the center of the sculpture - above the curved seat.  I cut 2 large notches on either side of the stone to be removed.  Then, I drilled holes from both sides along the line that I wanted to split out the block.

 I placed feathers and wedges into the holes and slowly built up pressure by hammering the wedges.

 You can see the 1,000 lb. block that I split from the bench in the lower right foreground.  I used a metal pry bar to flip the piece onto the ground.  That 1,000 lb. scrap stone will become another sculpture someday.

 I rolled the rail cart with the bench into the studio.  I used diamond blades on a 9" grinder to get the basic shape.

 I've now begun the laborious process of carving the leaves and branches of the trees.

 This is how it looks today - it's come a long way from the quarry block that I started with about 5 weeks ago.

 ...and this the view of the other side.  Most of the basic shapes have been formed.  Now comes the slow part of the project - constant refining anf finishing.

 November 24 was the date for the dedication of our 2 sculptures.  Left to right: Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne, myself, Executive Director of the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art Mary Bryan Hood, Meg White and Meg's sculpture "Escape".
Photo Jason Hayden

 

 Then, we all walked down the street to dedicate my sculpture "Oberon".  My favorite part of the dedication was afterwards when the Mayor gave Meg and myself a tour of the newly completed convention center - it's spectacular!.  Then we went to the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art and had a personal tour of their Christmas Show that features cultural artifacts from around the world.  This was a real treat for Meg and myself as we love art and artifacts.
Photo Jason Hayden



...and now for something completely different...
Meg snapped this photo of a Barred Owl that came up to the studio this week - a rare site in the daytime. (looking to take care of our squirrel-in-the-birdfeeder problem, no doubt).

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