Geez, it's been a while. I've been busy, but not always on the Locost. But, here's one thing that's ultimately going to be Locost-related - a metalshaping class.
I just finished a class given by Peter Tommisini (website ==>
http://www.handbuilt.net.au/index.html) who is a fascinating and very talented metalshaper from Australia by way of Italy. The class was held here in Menifee, California not too far from our place in the mountains (or Carlsbad for that matter). I'll post several items about the class. This is the first of two tonight. They'll be maybe 5 in all over a few days.
At the begining of class, Peter told us, "This class is not about producing pretty panels, showing them to your mates, and saying, 'Oh, look what I've done now.' It's about understanding metal and how it moves and responds to the four fundamental processes of shrinking, stretching, folding and cutting. When you leave this class you will understand those things." I found that Peter was good to his word. An understanding of the fundamental processes will be had in his class by any student who applies themselves to the projects, pays attention, and asks questions when they "just don't get it." At the same time, Peter was very clear with us that this is just the starting point in metalshaping. Mastery of metalshaping, he told us, would take "time and lots of practice, practice, practice."
There were several skill levcls present in the student population ranging from rank novice to accomplished professional. I'm in the rank novice category. For we novices, the first mini-project was to shape a simple piece of sheet steel, getting experience with stretching and shrinking: the critical pair of fundamental operations.
Work was done using a blocking hammer, tree stump with hemispherical depression and limited use of the English wheel. The surface intentionally wasn't finished to a high luster, nor were all blemishes removed as could have been done. Again, producing a "pretty piece" was not the objective. Basic understanding of shrinking and stretching and the changes they cause in the sample sheet material, as they are applied, was the objective.
Attachment:
Blocking Hammer and Stump.jpg
Attachment:
English-Wheel.JPG
Attachment:
Project1-#1.JPG
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