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RandyHand β€” progress on BIG tree...

Published: 2009-03-13 18:51:54 +0000 UTC; Views: 15053; Favourites: 333; Downloads: 0
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Description So here's what I have so far on the tree sculpt...
I apologize for the dorky pic of me, but I wanted to stand next to it so she could get an idea of the size perspective...
I'm 5'9" so the tree will end up being a little over 6 ft. tall...
I hate pictures of myself, let alone trying to take ones with my camera remote...(in my left hand)
I just got off the phone with Joyce, the one who is buying it, and she was ecstatic!
I photo shopped in the leaf clumps because those will be fabricated in when it's in bronze.
I'm sculpting 3 different sizes of leaf clumps...Large like the one that is to the left. A medium and small clump will be sculpted as well. I will then pour mulitples of each size from the single molds and then weld them in place naturally throughout the tree.
I wanted to go for a banzai/Dr. Seussy kind of look if that makes any sense...
I'm sculpting 3 different branch lengths and thickness. I have two sizes poking out of the leaf clump on the left.
I'll have those molded and will then run through multiple castings of them as well.
Those will be sporadically welded on to the bigger branches for a natural look.
Then at the very end we'll weld tiny loops on all the branches and that's what the stem to the cheese and crackers will hang from, giving it the appearance that the tree is actually bearing cheese and crackers as fruit....
The title of the piece when all is said and done, will be
"Mr. Cheesencrackers"
The location of her property is Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii and we're going to shoot for staying there in July.
I freaked out when she told me there are
"artist accomodations" right there at the gardens.
I asked how much we'd have to budget for and she said it's free. All we'll have to do is get airline tickets, rental car and eats...
I couldn't believe it when she told me that.(me cleaning out my diapers)

I'm really happy with how the tree is coming along...
I'll be hiding little things around the roots that I'll reveal at a later date...
Hope you like what I have so far...

Ps. I will be posting progress shots of it eventually...
I started with a 3 inch steel pipe armature, that I welded together with the upper branches being re-bar welded to that.
I then added styrafoam to fill out the bulk of the trunk etc. and shaped it before adding an outer layer of clay.
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Comments: 332

RandyHand In reply to ??? [2009-03-23 01:56:25 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!
Thanks so much for faving it along with the drawing of Our Little Secret...
Always appreciate your kind words and support!
Take care

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sevenwillow In reply to RandyHand [2009-03-23 02:00:39 +0000 UTC]

I wish I could make items that big, I neither have the studio space or place to put something so big but I can lust after one and you're welcome!

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RandyHand In reply to sevenwillow [2009-03-23 02:04:33 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, there are times when I wonder what I was start these things...Lol.
It really is fun to work on a bigger scale...
If you ever feel like you may be just crazy enough like me to tackle something on this scale, please don't hesitate to message me...
It's not as difficult as it looks...
Take care

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sevenwillow In reply to RandyHand [2009-03-23 02:08:19 +0000 UTC]

considering my sculpts are not usually any larger than 6 inches max anything any larger than that is huge to me! I have lost my eyesight though at working so small lol....But thank you for the encouragement, I will keep you in mind should I lose my mind one day and decide to jump in and tackle it!

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RandyHand In reply to sevenwillow [2009-03-24 14:01:39 +0000 UTC]

I'm the same as you with my eyesight..
I don't know when it was that I had to start looking over my glasses when working small...
Either that or I just have to take them off or even wear the magnifying reading glasses...(fun)
My wife cracks up when I look up at her and I look like the owl on the tootsie pop commercial...Lol...
Take care

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sevenwillow In reply to RandyHand [2009-03-25 02:15:26 +0000 UTC]

lol!

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MidoriiBlue In reply to ??? [2009-03-19 19:09:10 +0000 UTC]

Wow! So amazing my friend!!
Have a blast in beautiful Hawaii!!

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RandyHand In reply to MidoriiBlue [2009-03-19 19:50:52 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!
We are really looking forward to following the big tree out there...
Thanks for the fave as well!
Take care

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MidoriiBlue In reply to RandyHand [2009-03-20 14:32:13 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure....happy surfing!!

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RandyHand In reply to MidoriiBlue [2009-03-21 00:44:05 +0000 UTC]

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too-unoriginal [2009-03-19 04:58:34 +0000 UTC]

Randyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!

*falls over and dies*

I can NOT believe how incredible this is! Can I come touch the tree for good luck? OH!! You should also post pics of the molding process. I would *love* to see how you section up a mold of this size.

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RandyHand In reply to too-unoriginal [2009-03-19 13:34:50 +0000 UTC]

Woohoo!
Thanks Lauren...so glad you like it...
I really am happy with how things are going on this one...
I can't wait for you to see the pix of the final clay.
Should be a few days or more...
The roots are coming out really cool...
I'll spend more time on the photoshopping of the leaf clumps too.
I just needed something to give a general feel of the canopy when I sent the pic to the client...
I'll definitely get shots of the molding process as well...Should be fun...
Talk to you soon,
Take care

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too-unoriginal In reply to RandyHand [2009-03-19 15:23:36 +0000 UTC]

!

Ah, no worries about the canopy. I got the basic gist of what it should look like. So you're really going to solder on each leaf clump?? Whew!! Sounds like a lot of fun. And aaaand you're going to patina them all in a fantastic fashion?

So excited!!

And yeeeeees! Many pictures you should take of the molding process.

Oh! So, since I've seen a successful tree, I think I'm going to tackle a smaller tree towards the end of this semester. Smaller as in at least 2-3' tall. *glee* I'll have to collect up some serious references though.

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RandyHand In reply to too-unoriginal [2009-03-19 15:33:23 +0000 UTC]

Yep, I'm going to sculpt 3 different size clumps.
The one I have here is the biggest one and then I'll sculpt a medium and small clump and some sporadic single leaves.
Even if this wasn't a one of a kind piece, I think I'd still do them all this way. By tacking them all in sporadic places it's going to give it a more natural feel plus no two would be the same...

Yeah, I'm excited to color this too.
I'm going to put some fun little hidden surprises here and there too....(to be revealed at a later date...hee hee)

Looking forward to seeing what you do with your tree...2-3 feet tall will be a really good size.

Talk to you soon,
Take care

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krupen In reply to ??? [2009-03-18 06:00:27 +0000 UTC]

it came out incredible! wow!

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RandyHand In reply to krupen [2009-03-19 03:00:20 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much!
I hope to add finish clay shots soon...
Thanks for faving it as well!
Take care

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krupen In reply to RandyHand [2009-03-31 00:54:41 +0000 UTC]

no problem! it looks incredible already!

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RandyHand In reply to krupen [2009-03-31 01:08:11 +0000 UTC]

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EMasqueradeGallery In reply to ??? [2009-03-17 21:01:36 +0000 UTC]

Wow, great job!! This has got to be one the largest projects I've seen an artist here on DA tackle, to date!

The trunk part actually reminds me of the tree from "The Last Unicorn"...but male, instead of female. It's great!

Congrats on the awesome bonus with the free accommodations in Hawaii! That's awesome.

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RandyHand In reply to EMasqueradeGallery [2009-03-19 03:01:59 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!
Yeah, this one definitely takes up some room in the studio...Lol...
I've never seen "The Last Unicorn" but will look for images...

Thanks so much for the congrats on Hawaii as well...
We are definitely looking forward to it...
Thanks again,
Take care

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enits In reply to ??? [2009-03-17 19:55:15 +0000 UTC]

That is simply amazing...!

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RandyHand In reply to enits [2009-03-19 03:02:36 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!
Take care

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109cita In reply to ??? [2009-03-16 19:51:47 +0000 UTC]

It's marvelous.
Maybe you should have put on
your swim trunks and a Hawaiian shirt
in honor of the tree's new home.
*grin*
Just me wanting to check out your legs?
*snickers*

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RandyHand In reply to 109cita [2009-03-16 21:01:07 +0000 UTC]

Ha hahaha...gonna have to pull out my Hawaiian outfit from storage...(that would be scary...Lol)
So glad you like it...
Thanks so much!
Take care

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Onikuh In reply to ??? [2009-03-16 05:38:02 +0000 UTC]

How much would/did you sell this piece for? It's absoultely gorgeous. I love love love trees!

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RandyHand In reply to Onikuh [2009-03-16 14:31:08 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!
Thanks for faving it as well...
This is actually going to be a one of a kind piece so it will sell for more than if there were an edition size of maybe 5 to 15 or so. Does that make sense?
I'm not at liberty to tell my prices so I apologize.

Thanks again for the kind words and support!
Take care

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Onikuh In reply to RandyHand [2009-03-16 17:56:45 +0000 UTC]

Oh, I totally understand..no offense.
Originals are always more, understandably.

I was truly blown away when I saw it!
Actually, all your work is wonderful.

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RandyHand In reply to Onikuh [2009-03-16 20:48:47 +0000 UTC]

No no...no offense taken at all...
It's mainly my clients that don't want to disclose what they are spending on the sculptures...
When we are at art shows it's a lot easier to discuss prices with people...

This is going to be a first for me too...I've always had edition sizes of 16 on all my big work, so it'll be sad to see the tree go away once it's all complete...

Thanks again for your kind words and support!
Take care

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Hecatae In reply to ??? [2009-03-16 03:39:16 +0000 UTC]

Like we say here in Brazil, CARACA!!!
Amazing work ,congratulation, youare sooooo cool!!!

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RandyHand In reply to Hecatae [2009-03-16 14:31:48 +0000 UTC]

You are so nice...thanks so much!
And thanks for faving it as well!
Take care

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EvanCampbell In reply to ??? [2009-03-15 20:57:55 +0000 UTC]

This is going to be great!

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RandyHand In reply to EvanCampbell [2009-03-15 22:13:00 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Evan...
I'm excited to finish it, and then eventually see it in bronze...
Take care man!

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InkyDinkyWho In reply to ??? [2009-03-15 20:53:38 +0000 UTC]

Wow Dude! He's awesome!
I bet you have a lot of time put into that one already, it shows.
Pardon I have a question if you don't mind, how do you cast something that big? Do you still make a negative mold? I bet that’s a pain.

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RandyHand In reply to InkyDinkyWho [2009-03-15 22:17:11 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!
Yeah, it's been a few hours, and there's plenty to go...
I will mold this myself and yep, I will do a negative mold...
It will be rubber first and then a plaster mother mold to hold it's shape...
I'd say it will be about 20 pieces total.
I actually molded my giant tortoise and it was 19 pieces....
I used to work at the foundry that casts my work for about 6 1/2 years, so the whole process isn't too daunting any more...
It's always an adventure, no matter what piece I put through in bronze...

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InkyDinkyWho In reply to RandyHand [2009-03-16 01:58:51 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome.
And so I was right, cool. I wasn't sure since I've never cast anything before. It interests me very much though.

Well thanks for the info and good luck with the rest of the project can't wait to see it done.

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RandyHand In reply to InkyDinkyWho [2009-03-16 03:16:33 +0000 UTC]

You bet!
Actually if you want to see the link to the foundry I used to work at it's [link]
If you click on "watch the video" it's an interesting tour through one of the premier foundries in the country...
Take care

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InkyDinkyWho In reply to RandyHand [2009-03-16 19:29:14 +0000 UTC]

Awesome! I'm going to have a look right now in fact.
Thanks HR.

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RandyHand In reply to InkyDinkyWho [2009-03-16 20:50:39 +0000 UTC]

You bet!
Look forward to seeing what you think...
One of the people that gets interviewed is Nate...
He and I worked in the patina room the whole time I was there...we had a blast...
Tony Workman was probably the best boss I've ever had too...
Take care

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sevenwillow In reply to RandyHand [2009-04-25 19:35:42 +0000 UTC]

I wish I would have known about this place when I lived in Colorado!

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InkyDinkyWho In reply to RandyHand [2009-03-17 20:00:08 +0000 UTC]

Hey that was really cool! It was neat seeing the whole process I know a lot of work went into it but whoa! There is so much more than I thought.
And this is silly but watching it reminded me of Mr. Rodgers and the Speedy Delivery man. lol Sorry child hood memories.
So you must have really enjoyed working there, that's cool when you get to do what you like and still have fun.

Thanks for sharing, take care.

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RandyHand In reply to InkyDinkyWho [2009-03-19 03:10:06 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, it's pretty intense huh?

That's too funny...I thought the narrators voice was so nerdy...(almost like a televangelist...haha)

I really did have fun working there. Made some good friends and great contacts...

Glad you enjoyed checking it out!
Take care

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InkyDinkyWho In reply to RandyHand [2009-03-19 23:24:46 +0000 UTC]

haha Yea the guys voice just screams "I work for the PBS" lol

I did enjoy it thanks for sharing.

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RandyHand In reply to InkyDinkyWho [2009-03-19 23:34:51 +0000 UTC]

you bet!
Take care

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decodePLUS [2009-03-15 15:49:31 +0000 UTC]

w o w

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RandyHand In reply to decodePLUS [2009-03-15 20:07:57 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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Djoseph In reply to ??? [2009-03-15 12:14:27 +0000 UTC]

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RandyHand In reply to Djoseph [2009-03-15 14:06:21 +0000 UTC]

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Djoseph In reply to RandyHand [2009-03-17 12:42:44 +0000 UTC]


Wish that I could be there once it's finished and put into use.

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RandyHand In reply to Djoseph [2009-03-17 14:04:36 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!
Yeah, it'll be fun to see it in place!
Take care

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williamnezme [2009-03-15 07:23:47 +0000 UTC]

great!!! really great!!! men... please work faster so we can see it in the final bronze version jajaja..

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