Monday, April 1, 2013

texture boot camp -

mary jane dodd

piece of railroad track purchased at a flea market

this edition of texture boot camp is brought to you by a lipstick chicken, you know, a person who doesn't like to wear lipstick that looks like you are wearing lipstick (and so why struggle to find that perfect color at all, right?)... this aesthetic carries over into my work... as an admirer of the subtle i would like to show you how i add texture to my metal...

i find texture on things - like this old railroad tie... i was told how i could clean up the face - but why would i do that?

small bench top anvil

this anvil's finish did not hold up over time - but if you put metal on it and hammer, when you turn it over, you will find a lovely texture that is picked up by liver of sulphur or other patina...

with a pitted surface

did you ever mar the surface of a hammer? unknowingly, like before you learned that a brass head is better suited for striking metal design stamps? i did - and now i have a head that creates texture similar to the raw silk texture hammer...

'marred' hammer face

and finally i wanted to show you how i used patterned brass sheet - no rolling mill required!


tape the metal you are working with to the patterned sheet , hammer all over the surface evenly and...


viola!

my apologies on not having pieces finished with the patina to show the contrast - this was my first time down to the bench in almost 3 months and i don't have everything set up... 


15 comments:

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I'm struck by how many little things there are to know about absolutely everything that can only be learned by experience and practice.
xx Carol, who is thinking deep even on April Fool's day...don't tell Corey.

baymoondesign said...

Very pretty!

Artisan Beads Plus said...

That's, great, Maire! So nice to have you back! Pretty much everything I own is marred! I wish I could be more organized with my block and save one side for certain things that won't beat it up, but I am not......
MaryAnn

Kalaya Steede said...

Nice to see you back mary jane. I like how you texture that disc without a rolling mill! One day I will share with you guys how I make depth without a hydraulic press. ;)

Barbara said...

Welcome Back MJ!!!! We've missed you SO MUCH! As always, you inspire me in so many ways...even by humping it down into your studio to push yourself a bit....and because of you, I'm constantly on the lookout for a railroad tie!!!!! xoxo.

Laura said...

Welcome back Maire this is very good news to see you here

TesoriTrovati said...

I love it! That railroad tie is awesome. I have so many mucked up hammers, and all of my bench blocks as well are pitted. I used to see that as a flaw, now I know that it makes them mine and unique! Thanks for sharing all these great ideas. I am itching to work in metal again especially after my last class two weeks ago with torching patinas! So happy to know you are back at it again, Miss Mary Jane. Enjoy the day. Erin

Anonymous said...

Hi, Mary Jane. I too love the idea of texturing with the brass sheet. May I ask a question about this? Is the brass sheet good for only one go with the hammer? Is the texture lost after the pounding? Thanks so much!

Lynda

Spirited Earth said...

welcome back MJ, great info. like the no rolling mill idea, especially

Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio said...

Welcome Back MJ! And way to get down into your studio (keep up on getting over those little steps!).

How freaking cool is it that you have a bit of RR tie - Seriously cool!

I love how the textures that come from use and everyday wear and tear can create such beautiful random textures that add layers to ones work.

And taping that penny down - Brilliant! I think I need to get some masking tape and keep it handy when I sit to work with metal next time...

Great insight!
Thanks for posting :)
<3 <3 <3

Unknown said...

So happy to see u back. I love your organic textures...fun to see where they are from. Great trick with the tape.

ciaolucia said...

Marie, glad you are back. Thank you for helping us to see beauty and delight in what would normally be thought of as unacceptable or imperfect.

Mystic Indigo said...

so glad to see you hammering again...what an awesome way to texture~

Kelli said...

Welcome back MJ!!!!! Love the rr tie!

Cindys Art + Soul said...

So happy to see you back MaryJane! I have used tape over metal washers from HD. It didn't occur to me you could do that with the brass texture sheets. Wonderful ideas! Thank you for sharing! :)

face
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...