Hi everyone

Here’s my latest foray into the world of engraving. 2 snakes, 3 roadrunners and a mountain lion. It’s a Springfield floor plate, fully sculptured with a beaded background. The Mountain lion is from a photo I took at the SCI show in Reno earlier this year. The amount of stuffed wild animals they had there was incredible.

The inspiration for the plate came from my visit to the States and John Barraclough was telling me about a jogger being attacked by a mountain lion in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles and later Rod Cameron was telling us that they were seen not far from his home in San Francisco. The amount of dangerous wildlife in the USA is pretty impressive. We have nothing like that over here.

There was a lot to learn on this project and I’d probably approach things a bit differently next time. The first is to get your background deep and reasonably even from the start and the second, is it’s much easier to avoid scratching the sculpting work than it is to take scratches out. Also a bit more finesse on the leaf sculpting wouldn’t hurt.

As usual your thoughts, comments and critique are always welcome.

Cheers
Andrew


Andrew Biggs
3/26/2007 5:38:04 PM

Andrew Biggs
3/26/2007 5:38:51 PM

Another lesson learnt wasd that bulino type dots are a lot trickier than it looks. A very light touch is all that's needed. I discovered that when I ran my finger over the mountain lion head and it felt like 180 grit sandpaper. So after several attempts and sandings I finally got it smooth. My intitial attempts were more like bomb craters!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers
Andrew

Andrew Biggs
3/26/2007 5:43:09 PM

Andrew, as usual you amaze me! That is great! Lots of cool stuff going on there.

Rex Pedersen
3/26/2007 6:04:58 PM

Well done Andrew.
Great job.
John.

John Barraclough
3/26/2007 6:32:09 PM

hey Andrew .. that is just fantastic work i cant Waite until i see you and your work again in reno , i hope the next show you have a table .. ron p.

Ron Nott
3/26/2007 9:28:11 PM

You must have interesting dreams!!! S

PS...well done!

Sam Welch
3/27/2007 7:53:49 AM

Andrew another great design and it looks to be carried out very well. I agree with Sam about you having interesting dreams. About you not having any dangerous animals in New Zealand, you had better hope the Tasmanian devil never learns to swim.

Mike

Robert Bissell
3/27/2007 10:06:56 AM

Andrew Biggs,

I think your design is well thought out and just beautiful. Your execution well done. Each country has their own unique style that is reconizable to that country. I think your work will be recognized as the New Zealand style; which is unique to you and your country.

Again,wonderful work.

M A Smith



Mark Smith
3/27/2007 3:09:47 PM

Thanks guys for all those kind words. Really appreciated

Sam and Mike........It's not the dreams, it's all that blood rushing to my head because I'm standing upside down.

Cheers
Andrew

Andrew Biggs
3/28/2007 6:42:39 PM

Another inspiring creation. I never have thot of, or seen, mixing Celtic with contemporary design. After seeing your snakes and lion [yes we do have them in the coastal montains of the SF Bay] I have been inspired to try a Celtic/contemporary blend.

I really appreciate how great this guild is when it comes to sharing and encouraging oneanother. Thanks again Andrew.... Stu

Stu Millar
3/29/2007 3:35:43 PM

Hi Andrew,

A truly fine example of artistic creativity. I'm not an expert but I do a lot of reading and find your work to be very innovative. It should be in one of R.L.Wilson's books!! I can't wait to see your revolving carbine, hope you will give us a sneak peak before it's done.

Chris

P.S. I've never been to L.A. but I've heard that there's a lot of dangerous wildlife on Hollywood Boulevard too ... ;-)

Christopher Malouf
3/29/2007 8:16:40 PM