Moving the blog

As of today I am stopping posting on this blog. 

I would very much like you to continue following the new blog at http://ailsamagnusandhamishmarr.blogspot.com/

We have changed the name of the blog due to our formal business partnership now being fully established.

We look forward to your visits to the new blog and welcome any comments you may wish to post.

The casts are delivered

Today the casts arrived back at the studio from the foundry.

Really pleased with how they look.

There's a little bit of finishing to do, but not an awful lot.

All three pieces set out in the yard. There is still a seating element to be made to accompany these pieces. Once this is completed everything will be delivered to site.

Casts at the foundry Aug 2011

The pieces have now all been cast. They will be delivered to the studio next week.

Drawing

While we are waiting on pieces coming back from the foundry, contracts being finalised and getting the go ahead for another project I've spent some time doing some drawing for myself. This is a rare occurrence and should probably be encouraged. I'm actually quite surprised athow much I am enjoying doing this. I'll post more images as work progresses.

At the Foundry, July 21st

We took at trip over to the foundry today to see the progress of the Wolverton Mill 'Stepping Stones' and the children's 'Watermarks'. So far only one stone has been cast, anther was being done today. The children's pieces are completed though and looking very nice too!!

The first completed cast.

Weighing in at 520kg.

Watermarks, the children's pieces look great.We've brought them back to the studio and have started the process to oxidize them.

Durham Market Place Celebration July 1st 2011

All the months of work are finally over.

Friday July 1st saw the Heart of the City project officially completed with a small unveiling ceremony.

Looking up....

Looking back down.....

The Time Line is now part of the Heart of the City.

10 year old Stefan unveiling the final dedication stone. Stefan had written to the Durham Time in 2009 suggesting a Time Line was included in the designs for the Market Place. He was invited by the council to officially perform the unveiling .

Busy Market Place

'This stone commemorates the completion of the Heart of the City project on 1st July 2011'.

Sunderland Echo Tuesday 5th July 2011

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/mp_boycotts_celebration_but_stefan_makes_his_mark_on_durham_revamp_1_3542961

Durham Times Saturday 2nd July

http://www.durhamtimes.co.uk/news/9118429.Fanfare_for___2_5m_city_revamp/

Patterns delivered to the foundry

On Friday 25th June the polystyrene pieces for Wolverton were delivered to the foundry for casting.

(above H. Downs & Sons Ltd sculpture by Dave Bradbury, photograph by Nigel Downs)

Hollowing Out

Once completed the pieces need to be hollowed out prior to casting.

Pins are used as a guide to define the thickness of the piece. This needs to be approximately 25mm all over.

There is no quick way to do the hollowing... believe me I've tried everything.

Nearly there!!

Patterns almost ready for the foundry

The polystyrene patterns for 'Stepping Stones' are almost complete. Following a studio visit from our Milton Keynes Council clients we will now put the finishing touches to the three pieces and deliver them to the foundry for casting in the next fortnight.

Installation of the Durham Time Line

On Tuesday May 24th work began on the installation of the Time Line which has been in storage since delivery in February.

Preparing the site.

Lifting gear.

Manoeuvring No.11 into place..... just 31 more to go!

Further down the line....

Thursday 26th May approximately a quarter of the Time Line is down in its final position.

Progression of the Pebbles

Once the blocks of polystyrene have been cut down and a rough shape has been cut, work can begin refining the form.

Using a surform to refine the shape.

Sanding using various grades of sand paper to smooth the surface.