June 15 2012 Life size mermaid decorating

'Gorge On Art' Art Show  
Sat June 23 11-4 on the Gorge waterway
This Weekend!

Upcoming shows
Dales Gallery, Fisgard in China town July/Aug
Filberg Festival Comox Aug 3,4,5, and 6
Glendale Gardens Aug 11,12  Horticultural Center

This week in the shop a lot got done: working on some large quantities of ornaments and garden quail, finished an order for Butchart Gardens, then the fun part, started and finished a full size metal mermaid. The mermaid is first drawn on the metal with chalk then hand cut with the plasma cutter on the cutting bench. The mermaid is transfered to the welding bench and I weld all the defining lines of the face, hair, and scales etc. Next the piece is cleaned up with the wire wheel on the hand grinder, assorted hair, kelp and sea creatures are then cut out and some are braised with copper, others with brass, the scales are also then braised to highlight specific areas. The decorations are placed on to the large piece and welded. The whole piece is wire wheeled again then coated both sides with a clear metal spray to protect from rust. Photo taken of back of mermaid, some beautiful coloring from the heat.