Treasure Hunt

I had a lovely break in the action for Thanksgiving and was able to slow down a bit and spend time with my family and old friends from home. It was refreshing.

On Monday, I went into scavenger mode and found a bunch of scrap at Victor Pipe & Steel that I will use to make art. All the rain we have had in the Midwest over the last month or so happened to uncover some more of my favorite kind of rings I use for my Rising series. These end pieces that are cut off the pipe transform and become more interesting with time. They have a more textured and pitted surface from rusting and reacting to the limestone gravel and weather over time.

These pieces to the left, I found in container near the shed that houses the giant band saw. The more silver pieces are galvanized, which is a zinc coating that keeps the steel from rusting. You can weld them together, but you must be very careful and use a respirator because the zinc releases into the air and reek heavy metal havoc on your body. "Zinc chills" is what they call it. Not sure I'll be able to use them anytime soon, but they are pretty!

I also found a bunch of end pieces that I don't think can be sold anymore and if they are up for grabs, I am there for the taking! I feel like I am on a treasure hunt with I am looking for stuff. The guys in the steel yard just look at me like, "What's she doing?" or "What does she want now?"

Today I am unloading and organizing it in my studio for future use. I have two sculptures in my mind that want to materialize, but I am putting them off until I get more work done on reaching out to galleries etc. I have another one that I want to make,  but it needs more time in my subconscious. Next week I will be cleaning and grinding and welding.