Dick Bonham Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Hi, It has been a while since I have posted anything new. I have finally recovered from my extensive shoulder and bicep surgery and can get back to work. It has been ten months since I tore up my arm. Here is my new piece. It is a life size Preying Mantis (the body 3'' long) and Black Eyed Susan's. I incorporated a piece I started before my injury and didn't complete. Now it is finished. The piece is created from a hundred or more separate pieces brazed and soldered together. The base is black walnut. Total dimensions including the base are 7" x 6 1/2" x 6" high. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsterling Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 I like it, Dick! Do you have any "in progress" images? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kelso Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Amazing piece of work Dick. Glad to hear your arm and shoulder are better. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 The tension and sense of movement in the closeup, middle photo, draws me in to see the mantis, thinking that it will just move its head a little to look out at me! The movement that my eyes follow along the abdomen, to leg positions and up to the head are so well placed, it is a delight to see this! Welcome back to the working side of recovery! You've still got it in you to make these amazing things! Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Bonham Posted February 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Hi, Thank you for the nice words. I did not take any pictures of the process because I had a very tight deadline for a show. The next piece I do will have some photos of how it was created. Thanks, Dick www.erbonham.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fkvesic Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Well done, Dick. You've captured the sense of menace in the mantis very well and I like the contrast between that and the flowery setting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Anderson Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Dick, Very nice work. I need to look at some of your old post and see if I can figure out your process. I've finished a tool handle in ebony and a set of winged grips but my skill level is still wanting. I'm amazed at how much time it takes to finish something but love every minute of the process. Thank you for sharing. Someday I'll have the bravery to show my work. The level of work I see here is inspirational but intimidating. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil White Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Fantastic work, Dick. Just amazing! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natasha Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 So wonderful! I like it very much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kelso Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Dick, I'm curious how you hold all the small bits as you are working? Thanks. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Bonham Posted March 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Thank you for the nice comments. John, Check out the "Hummingbird" tutorial. Jim, When I do a sculpture that entails many pieces, in this case well over a hundred, I do several drawings so I have a good idea of the placement of the solder joints. I also have to be aware of the size of the pieces and how much heat I will need to solder or braze them together. As you know small pieces melt rather quickly! I also build the piece in sections. When it is possible I attach pins and drill holes to hold small pieces together. I first braze (using a paste braze from Rio Grande) as many parts at one time as possible so I only have to bring the pieces to braze temp. once. The brazing paste does not cause the pieces to "skate" like silver solder. The pieces seldom move when the paste melts. I can braze quite a few small pieces and not have to worry about them. From the brazing paste I move to hard, medium and soft silver solders. I pin (having brazed the pins) everything I can when silver soldering. I detail each piece with the NSK air hand piece and the Lindsay engraving tool. I assemble everything then work it again. The process sound more complex than it really is. The process sounds slow but I can fabricate a sculpture in a fraction of the time that it would take to sculpt, cast and finish the same piece. Dick www.erbonham.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kelso Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Thanks Dick. Do you hand-hold as you are texturing and engraving with the Lindsay PC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornel Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Absolutely exciting Dick !!!!! Thank You for sharing this work with us. Cornel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Bonham Posted March 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Thank you Cornel. Jim, I hand hold as much as possible but I also use my antique engravers vice that has all kinds of attachments to hold things when I engrave. I also use my pitch bowl. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzart Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Unbelievable work Dick, it would seem your injuries are mended very well. Did you tell the Doc how to do the repairs? lol maybe to You it may sound easy but to me it sounds and Looks very complicated and exact. How can you take metals soldered together and create a Malicious looking being about to get an easy meal? I think you left a Lot out! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Barnhill Posted March 25, 2009 Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 Great job Dick. I love the mantis. I have them in my garden every year. Fantastic work, thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Bonham Posted March 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2009 Thank you! I have always thought that the Preying Mantis was a very neat bug. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson Lepine Posted March 29, 2009 Report Share Posted March 29, 2009 Much appreciate the chance to view your work! Very fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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