Hi everyone

When I first joined another engraving forum a few months ago I was very lucky to befriend John Barraclough. He is also my “engraving mentor” and we talk to each other by e-mail regularly about all sorts of things, including engraving. His support and kind words have been invaluable to me and a real inspiration. He also encouraged me to join FEGA.

Anyway, about four months ago we were talking about gold wire inlay and a couple of weeks later a small box arrives in the mail from John. It contained all sorts of goodies. Amongst them were some gold inlay hand tools and silver and gold wire to practice with (they are pictured in the arty photo) (not the airgraver) I was simply overwhelmed by his generosity and kindness. So I thought that it was only fitting that he should have my first gold wire inlay job as a present and it was also my way of thanking him for all his support and generosity.

As many of you know, John was a steeple chase jockey when he was a very young man living in England during the war years. The photos on this post are what I did the engravings from. They were taken not long after world war two when he was a sprightly 17 year old.

It was a fun project to do with plenty to learn and mistakes to make. All of which goes into the mix for the next project. The circle around the portrait is copper with the borders being 24K gold. The plate is 75mm square (3inches)

Best regards
Andrew Biggs


Andrew Biggs
5/31/2006 6:00:49 AM

Andrew Biggs
5/31/2006 6:02:18 AM

Andrew Biggs
5/31/2006 6:03:13 AM

Andrew Biggs
5/31/2006 6:03:43 AM

Andrew Biggs
5/31/2006 6:04:24 AM

Andrew Biggs
5/31/2006 6:04:58 AM

Way to Go Andrew! Excellent work and a great tribute to one of the nicest men I have ever met! (And he has always told me what a little baby he was during the war). Regards.

Sam Welch
5/31/2006 7:58:16 AM

Very very nice layout and engraving job Andrew.The flow and your execution of detail are really good. If I might add a comment without offending you....the scroll in the lower right hand corner is a little out of place. As it flows down it gets confusing as it almost looks like it is part of the main scroll flow which is going up and to the left to surround the scene. It's too much on the same plain and gets confusing to the eye as to which main stem this is actually flowing from.
Overall an excellent job and the pictures of John are priceless.

Martin Rabeno
5/31/2006 8:00:23 AM

Andrew,
Just STUNNING!!!! Great layout and execution!
If you don't mind, I'll agree with Marty but mostly because everything else is done so well that this shows up more.
Just a super job for a super person. John is an icon of knowledge and talent!

Rex Pedersen
5/31/2006 10:16:01 AM

Thanks Sam Marty and Rex I really appreciate your comments

No offence taken Marty. Your dead right. It kind of sticks out a bit dosn't it. Funny thing was that on the initial drawing it looked better, but once engraved, not so good. My old boss in the army when I was doing my apprenticeship in signwriting always used to say "Measure twice, cut once". Man was he ever right!!!!

Thanks again guys

Best regards
Andrew Biggs

Andrew Biggs
5/31/2006 10:58:30 PM

Hey Andrew.the same thing always happens to me also. It's amazing how something looks totally different on paper then it does on metal or wood and in the flesh. As we work we seem to aquire "tunnel vision" and have to be very careful to keep on looking at what we are creating to take advantage of these visual illusions that we are creating.
It was a pleasure working with yu on the FEGA logo and I really appreciate the skills you have taking my doodle to a finished presentaion.
I would love to see some examples of your sogn work and I look forward to meeting you someday.
Marty

Martin Rabeno
6/1/2006 12:07:57 AM

Hi Andrew,

I don't have the skill or knowledge to critique but I do have the layman's eye to say your work is beautiful is a very fitting tribute to John. At Trinidad a number of years ago we cristined John "President and CEO of the Bear Claw Metal Peckers Association". I believe he still holds those titles.

Cheers, Tom

Tom Carter
6/1/2006 10:45:49 AM

Andrew
Thank you very much for the wonderful plate and all the hours you must have dedicated to its creation. I will treasure it always.
Your gift came as a complete surprise and is a testament to your innate skill.
You have a very rare and exceptional talent that is a joy to see.
For someone in such an early development stage of their engraving career, it is even
more remarkable. Keep up the great work.
To all.
In order to not forget anyone, I will not mention names.
Please accept my thanks for all your kind and generous comments directed towards me and for your helpful suggestions to Andrew.
Best wishes and thanks to all, John

John Barraclough
6/3/2006 3:54:17 PM

Hi Guys

Mark........."President and CEO of the Bear Claw Metal Peckers Association"........Now I sense a good story behind that title!!!

Marty.....I'm coming to Reno next year and it will be my real pleasure to meet all of you.. Man, am I looking forward to it.

Cheers
Andrew

Andrew Biggs
6/5/2006 3:52:11 AM

Sorry about that..I meant Tom... not Mark

Cheers
Andrew

Andrew Biggs
6/5/2006 3:53:48 AM

We all look forward to meeting you too, Andrew. I am sure you will find the trip a very worthwhile effort!

Sam Welch
6/5/2006 7:48:22 AM

Andrew, the story behind the “Barraclough Metal Peckers” that Tom Carter mentioned is this:-
The engraving classroom at Trinidad College is on the main floor, just down the hall from the main business office.
We had a class of about 20 engravers all using hammer and chisel and practicing high relief sculpture on that particular day. It created a lot of tapping noise.
Every now and again someone going to visit the business office would wonder what was making that tap-tap-tap noise and stick their head in the door to see what was going on.
Jack Badgero, one of the students, who incidentally is a fine sign maker, made up a plaque showing woodpeckers using a hammer and chisels with the words “Barraclough Metal Peckers” and hung it over our classroom door.
The custodian of the tool room liked it because it cut out a lot of questions he was getting. So he photocopied it and hung copies all over. For several years after that the sign would magically appear when I was holding an engraving class.
You sign makers are a talented bunch, but you bear watching!!!
Best regards to all, John.

John Barraclough
6/5/2006 10:35:21 AM