Kingfisher Sculpture i hope!!

[annmaria]

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Wow thats really really good. I for one am very impressed. Whats it made out of and how long did it take you?

BWD

[juliejam]

Lovely ..you seemed to have captured the birds colouring and action pose just right...Well done


Julie

[annmaria]

Well BWD it took months, not all at once .It has been on the hall table for a while then just before christmas I had an idea hoe to improve the feathers. The wood is real the rest is clay, then acrylic paint. I used to put them on wood stands but only this one is on granite , the chap who cut them the granite is a bit expensive , if my exhibition is a success maybe I will be able to afford granite for future birds.
Thanks for your compliments...Cheers.
Annmaria

[annmaria]

Thanks Julie, means a lot from another artist. Its the movement I want , I don't like them to just sit .
Annmaria

[naturelover]

annmaria that is just beautiful,you are very talented,do you ever sell any ? by the way what meadium do you use ?

[annmaria]

I took one or two birds to the local art place ,they very kindly included me in an " Artist in action " week, things were not supposed to be for sale. However they have booked me for a joint exhibition with a photographer in November. I have an awful lot of work to do before then.
Annmaria

[Kayleigh]

Wow..You said you didn't know a lot about birds..But you have a good eye and you have captured it very well...They are really good.

[annmaria]

Kayleigh, I only know from photos, hundreds of them...its the research that takes for ever ,my eyes are hurting after I have hunted the internet for unusual ideas.
Thanks for your words,
Annmaria

[Gill Catton]

Just a thought but i used to work on an industrial estate that had a company that makes marble and granite work surfaces and floors etc.

In there skip was always bits of off cuts or mistakes, big polished slabs down to those the size of a coaster. I spoke to them and they said I could take whatever I wanted for free - I just hated seeing these beautiful pieces of stone consigned to landfil!
Anyway it might be worth seeing if there's anyone in your area that makes these marble and granite things (try the yellow pages)- you may then only need to pay to have an edge polished - or find a way to make the polished top with rough edges work....

[annmaria]

Thats a really good tip thanks . I was thinking of going to an undertakers where they do their own head stones, you never know ,they might be cheap! Your idea is more appealing .
P.S. I would put a smile icon on but when I click quick post they are not available, I will get the hang of this eventually.
Annmaria

[annmaria]

Magic
Annmaria

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by annmaria

Thats a really good tip thanks . I was thinking of going to an undertakers where they do their own head stones, you never know ,they might be cheap! Your idea is more appealing .
P.S. I would put a smile icon on but when I click quick post they are not available, I will get the hang of this eventually.
Annmaria

It was the best kind of skip diving!!
You don't live anywhere near Oxford do you?

(glad your smileys are sorted)

[annmaria]

Hi Gill, I live almost on the fylde coast, near Lytham St Annes. You got me thinking though our Kitchen surface is granite and the kitchen ware house place further down the motorway might be able to help...its blinking heavy stuff though .
Annmaria

[Brocker]

I have to say, annmaria, that sculpture is absolutely stunning. You must be very proud. It is often said that artists do not see the same beauty in something they have made themselves as others do. We can all see this is a very beautiful piece. Well done. . . I was a postman many moons ago and one of my deliveries was a stonemason that worked in granite and marble. The materials were delivered in rough form and then cleaned, trimmed and shaped before lettering and finally polishing. In the first and second stage there would be large offcuts that he had to pay to have removed by weight. They were certainly large enough for a sculture of this type and my guess is that most stonemasons would love you to take some as this will reduce the weight for him to dispose of. Why not take some photos of what you have already done. One may become your permanent supplier. Good luck.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by annmaria

Hi Gill, I live almost on the fylde coast, near Lytham St Annes. You got me thinking though our Kitchen surface is granite and the kitchen ware house place further down the motorway might be able to help...its blinking heavy stuff though .
Annmaria

Yes I nearly broke myself lifting some of the bits out - however, now I have a blood red thick white veined piece of marble that will make a lovely side table and a slab or grey and burgundy granite that will make a nice bench in the garden!! - all I need now are the legs!
I did however get lots of table mat sized pieces and the're easily managable

The kitchen warehouse probably has a supplier of work surfaces - I'd go straight to them if I were you.

[annmaria]

Why did I not find this sight sooner, I am so lucky I found you all in time to take all your advice and get things right before Novmeber.
Cheers Chris
Annmaria

[JeffH]

Annmaria, that is a wonderful piece of work (and I've probably seen Kingfishers at close range more than most!)

Jeff

[annmaria]

Jeff, its a big relief to hear people who really know the bird in question say they like it , thanks. I have never seen one in real life ,advice from experts can make all the difference, I was doing the heads to rounded and this chap said he was a birder and that Kingfishers held their heads flatter...and he was dead right.
So please do not be afraid to say if you see something obvious
Annmaria

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by annmaria

Jeff, its a big relief to hear people who really know the bird in question say they like it , thanks. I have never seen one in real life ,advice from experts can make all the difference, I was doing the heads to rounded and this chap said he was a birder and that Kingfishers held their heads flatter...and he was dead right.
So please do not be afraid to say if you see something obvious
Annmaria

Annmaria

Your 'birder' chap was dead right! If I was to suggest one tiny improvement it would be to add a little more orange behind the eye. If you want to see yet more photos of these beautiful birds (and see what I mean about the orange patch behind the eye) you might care to check out my WAB Gallery by clicking on the link below

Jeff

[annmaria]

My God I actually had an intake of breath when I saw your photos , the mating pic is so fantastic . I would never be able to get such detail but they are just so lovely. I have scoured the net looking for photos and I have nothing that comes anywhere near..thank you very much .
P.S.
Do you think the forum would mind if I asked folks to suggest what price I should put on them , I have the full range of wild suggestions from my family but I thought art people would be more in the know !I could at least take an average.
Annmaria

[JeffH]

Thank you for your kind words about my photos Annmaria. Incidentally and if you're interested, there are many more in my 'Kingfisher Diary (with photos)' forum thread in the British Birds section. You can find it easily by putting 'Kingfisher Diary' in the search space at the top of the page.

As to your question about seeking views on prices for your work on the forum, I'm sorry but I'm in no position to advise you on that though I do know that any use of the forum for marketing purposes is frowned upon.

May I suggest that you send a pm to StuDH to seek his views on what you want to do.

Jeff

[annmaria]

i certainly do not want a frown , the lady who runs the gallery will no doubt have a price in mind, i am happy just to go with the flow.
thanks,
Annmaria

[annmaria]

And Im now off to your diary byeeee

[annmaria]

jeff just had another look and you were also right about the orange behind the eye, thank you
Annmaria