'Short Eared Parliament' (Phase 38) by Shane Wilson
May 15, 2012 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
The short eared owl chick is complete. Note the detailing on the feet, lower feathers and adjacent fence post, added in this phase.
'Short Eared Parliament' (Phase 37) by Shane Wilson
May 12, 2012 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
I experimented with a few different treatments for the breast feathers on the short eared owl chick, before deciding to render them with fine detail, simulating the fine, almost hair-like nature of the downy baby feathers themselves.
I also wanted to create levels of complexity within the fine-feathered element to provide both a sense of depth and lightness, as the feathers blow against the chick as it stands its ground in a gentle breeze.
I also wanted to create levels of complexity within the fine-feathered element to provide both a sense of depth and lightness, as the feathers blow against the chick as it stands its ground in a gentle breeze.
'Short Eared Parliament' (Phase 36) by Shane Wilson
May 05, 2012 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
I have returned to finish the small perched owl and its tree. (For the last In Progress entry on this owl, see Phase 24, from last year.)
They eye was particularly challenging, as it was necessary to create an effect that would read properly from a moderate distance. My early attempts created an effect that looked great up close by appeared flat and almost uncarved from a distance. (Scroll down for earlier versions of the small owl.)
They eye was particularly challenging, as it was necessary to create an effect that would read properly from a moderate distance. My early attempts created an effect that looked great up close by appeared flat and almost uncarved from a distance. (Scroll down for earlier versions of the small owl.)
'Short Eared Parliament' (Phase 35) by Shane Wilson
May 01, 2012 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
Three more phases on the baby owl, with a focus on the head and eyes. This is a very thin area to work a fully front facing relief, so it is important to establish the basics first: eyes and beak. The rest will follow in relation to these basics.
'Candle Ice Two' (Left Antler Finished) by Shane Wilson
April 30, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
Though the lighting is poor, the left antler has been completed. Here it is on its own, front and back and oriented beside the right antler, prior to carving.
'Candle Ice Two' (Left Antler - Phase 9) by Shane Wilson
April 30, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
Carving on the left moose antler is finished, front and back worked to a complementary state of completion. I have applied a coating of satin lacquer to seal and protect the antler.
'Candle Ice Two' by Shane Wilson (front view)
'Candle Ice Two' by Shane Wilson (rear view)
'Candle Ice Two' by Shane Wilson (front view)
'Candle Ice Two' by Shane Wilson (rear view)
'Candle Ice Two' (Plinth Design and Four Seasons Hotel exterior)
April 16, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
This is the schematic for the plinth, complements of James Robertson Art Consultants and Yabu Pushelberg. The sculpture will sit, offset, on a gorgeous metal base and be protected by an elegant glass case.
During my visit to Toronto today, I stopped by the construction site of the new Four Seasons Hotel. Here is the hotel as it looks from a couple of blocks over, the shell almost complete.
This is the Bay Street entrance (left) and lobby wall, behind which 'Candle Ice Two' will be located.
'Candle Ice Two' (Left Antler - Phase 8) by Shane Wilson
April 12, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
Time to give some thought to the support for the sculpture and the means by which it will be attached to the plinth. It is difficult to make this determination prior to the completion of the bulk of the carving, since the balance points will change as material is removed.
It turns out that this antler balances quite well with a little pressure on the outlying tine, seen here held with the black Veritas bench clamp. It should be possible to add a fastening element at this point to join antler to plinth.
It may also be prudent to add a supporting element to the back of the sculpture, where I have placed the brass post in the third image. This will take some of the weight of the sculpture and make the installation a little more secure.
It turns out that this antler balances quite well with a little pressure on the outlying tine, seen here held with the black Veritas bench clamp. It should be possible to add a fastening element at this point to join antler to plinth.
It may also be prudent to add a supporting element to the back of the sculpture, where I have placed the brass post in the third image. This will take some of the weight of the sculpture and make the installation a little more secure.
'Candle Ice Two' (Left Antler - Phase 7) by Shane Wilson
April 11, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
I have decided to preserve the cool curvy shapes around the base of the antler, while working an angular pattern into the butt as an embellishment that will tie the overall abstract triangular pattern together around the smooth curved hub.
'Candle Ice Two' (Left Antler - Phase 6) by Shane Wilson
April 09, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
Although this work on the back of the antler was not part of the original commission, I have added it to enhance the effect, since the plinth will enable viewers to walk completely around the sculpture.
Again, the images are from the most recent version to the earliest.
The refining process to come will involve a careful working of the lines from the front and back at the same time, in order to avoid creating lines on one side that are not consistent with the lines on the other.
Again, the images are from the most recent version to the earliest.
The refining process to come will involve a careful working of the lines from the front and back at the same time, in order to avoid creating lines on one side that are not consistent with the lines on the other.
'Candle Ice Two' (Left Antler - Phase 5) by Shane Wilson
April 06, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
The following images (latest to earliest as you scroll down) indicate the stages of the roughing out process on the front face of the left moose antler of the pair that make up this sculpture.
There is still quite a bit of refining of the lines yet to be done, but I will move on to the reverse of the antler to create a shallow relief version which will mirror the front. This will serve to heighten the illusion that the sculpture is made of individual shards of candle ice.
There is still quite a bit of refining of the lines yet to be done, but I will move on to the reverse of the antler to create a shallow relief version which will mirror the front. This will serve to heighten the illusion that the sculpture is made of individual shards of candle ice.
'Candle Ice Two' (Phase 4) by Shane Wilson
March 05, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
Using a drill press with the gold, colbalt bits, one or more pilot holes were created in each of the negative spaces, previously marked out in orange pencil crayon.
Then using the sabre/jig saw with a 1/4" blade, most of the negative spaces were roughed out. The remaining negative spaces were too small for the blade or in a position difficult for the saw to access.
These spaces will be created during the carving process.
Then using the sabre/jig saw with a 1/4" blade, most of the negative spaces were roughed out. The remaining negative spaces were too small for the blade or in a position difficult for the saw to access.
These spaces will be created during the carving process.
'Short Eared Parliament' (Phase 34) by Shane Wilson
March 02, 2012 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
The short eared owl chick represented in this phase is a complex array of wind-blown downy feathers.
I love the 'messiness' of this part of the overall composition, but it is taking a while to figure out how best to represent this little fellow in carved relief.
I am still figuring ...
I love the 'messiness' of this part of the overall composition, but it is taking a while to figure out how best to represent this little fellow in carved relief.
I am still figuring ...
'Candle Ice Two' (Phase 3) by Shane Wilson
March 02, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
A band saw is a wonderful thing, especially a good one that is able to hold a straight line. However, it is limited in application to the outer edges of the carving.
In this phase, I have also coloured the negative spaces in orange prior to drilling pilot holes and rough cutting them out with a sabre saw/jig saw.
(Steel City 14" Band Saw with 3/8" blade)
In this phase, I have also coloured the negative spaces in orange prior to drilling pilot holes and rough cutting them out with a sabre saw/jig saw.
(Steel City 14" Band Saw with 3/8" blade)
'Candle Ice Two' (Redesign) by Shane Wilson
February 25, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
The original design has been modified to more closely reflect the original 'Candle Ice' sculpture, upon which the commission was based, featuring its straight, angular lines intended to contrast elegantly with the other art pieces chosen for the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto lobby.
'Candle Ice Two' (Phase 2) by Shane Wilson
February 22, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
The design is complete. It combines an assortment of elongated curved shapes, representing the heat of the sun, with thin rectangular shapes, representing candle ice which has shattered and fallen away from the main sheet of ice, represented by the solid portion around the base of the antler. This portion is also pierced by the heat of the sun, showing the curved heat pattern as a negative space.
The shape of the tines will be preserved as stretched drops of rain, kryptonite to candle ice.
The offset arced elements tie the two antlers together compositionally and also represent the phalanx-like characteristic of candle ice in its immediate pre-shattered state.
Dimensions of the combined antler sculpture - 116 cm wide x 72 cm high x 51 cm deep.
The shape of the tines will be preserved as stretched drops of rain, kryptonite to candle ice.
The offset arced elements tie the two antlers together compositionally and also represent the phalanx-like characteristic of candle ice in its immediate pre-shattered state.
Dimensions of the combined antler sculpture - 116 cm wide x 72 cm high x 51 cm deep.
'Candle Ice Two' (Phase 1) by Shane Wilson
February 15, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
The antlers have been 'skinned' and prepared to receive the design, which will be created directly on the surface of the antlers. Skinning the antlers is effected by lightly sanding the surface with an angle grinder and sanding disks.
I have used a variety of angle grinders over the years and have found the Walter 4.5" slip-clutch grinder to be a superior tool. It operates very smoothly, with no wrenching action on start-up, and disk changes are a breeze.
I have used a variety of angle grinders over the years and have found the Walter 4.5" slip-clutch grinder to be a superior tool. It operates very smoothly, with no wrenching action on start-up, and disk changes are a breeze.
'Candle Ice Two' (Begin) by Shane Wilson
February 13, 2012 Categories: Candle Ice Two
I have been commissioned by James Robertson Art Consultants to create an abstract sculpture from two moose antlers for the lobby of the brand new Four Seasons Hotel and ResidencesToronto. (For a look at an artist's conception of the hotel and a lobby floor plan, click here.)
What a spectacular honour to be a part of this stellar Canadian art collection curated by the James Robertson group for the hotel's design team of Yabu Pushelberg.
The concept for the commission is abstract in nature, with 'Candle Ice' as a reference, to be realized on two moose antlers, positioned together and flush-mounted on a bronze plinth.
A variety of moose antlers were presented as options, of which the following pair were chosen for the sculpture.
What a spectacular honour to be a part of this stellar Canadian art collection curated by the James Robertson group for the hotel's design team of Yabu Pushelberg.
The concept for the commission is abstract in nature, with 'Candle Ice' as a reference, to be realized on two moose antlers, positioned together and flush-mounted on a bronze plinth.
A variety of moose antlers were presented as options, of which the following pair were chosen for the sculpture.
'Short Eared Parliament' (Phase 33) by Shane Wilson
January 30, 2012 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
The main shaping and detail work are finished on the large roosting short-eared owl.
Note the striking colour pattern revealed within the antler. It is caused by blood flow into the antler during its formation and will fade over time. This darker colouration may help visually to 'push' the large owl back behind the baby owl, if highlights of white antler in the edges of the baby owl can be preserved.
Note the striking colour pattern revealed within the antler. It is caused by blood flow into the antler during its formation and will fade over time. This darker colouration may help visually to 'push' the large owl back behind the baby owl, if highlights of white antler in the edges of the baby owl can be preserved.
'Short Eared Parliament' (Phase 32) by Shane Wilson
January 28, 2012 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
In this phase, I refined the breast feathers and began to denote and rough in the wing feathers on the large roosting short-eared owl. I noticed that the wing appeared too narrow when viewed on the antler, which bends toward the viewer creating a false fore-shortening. To compensate, the wing has been widened slightly.
'Short Eared Parliament' (Phase 31) by Shane Wilson
January 25, 2012 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
The face has been further refined. It is a challenge to determine how best to represent both the feathers and the almost sculptural, coloured pattern on the feathers. I am not there yet.
'Short Eared Parliament' (Phase 30) by Shane Wilson
January 16, 2012 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
The face is deepened , the owl's right eye has been roughed in and will require adjustments, while the distinctive facial feather ring has been established on its proper plane. There is still much to do on the face, so stay tuned!
'Short Eared Parliament' (Phase 29) by Shane Wilson
January 12, 2012 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
In this phase, the face has been further roughed out as have the remainder of the feather groupings. These will be further defined later with design elements to bring out the owl's distinctive markings. The face is still not contoured deeply enough ... work for the next phase.
'Short Eared Parliament' (Phase 28) by Shane Wilson
January 10, 2012 Categories: Short Eared Parliament
This owl is situated on a section of antler that bends toward the viewer on the left side of the image. In order to compensate for the distortion this causes, the owl has been designed somewhat broader than it would otherwise appear in the round in order to create the illusion that the owl is properly sized.
In this phase, the head has been roughed out and the limit of the upper breast feathers have been sketched in.
In this phase, the head has been roughed out and the limit of the upper breast feathers have been sketched in.