Castle Grayskull in Brooklyn

So how did it happen? Firstly, my friend Jenn R.'s inquiry on previous igloos planted the seasonal seeds. Quite unfair, now that I ponder her gardening. I actually told myself not to build another igloo that day, however after 20 minutes of clearing walkways and sidewalk, a 10ft snow mountain demands deeper considerations. So K-dawg's enthusiasm for Castle Grayskull cemented our ambitions and about 12 hours over the next two days voila!

Tools of the trade were two snow shovels for piling, one squared shovel for turret details, a Korean stainless steel soup bowl aggressive finesse carving, and a Korean spoon for mortar details. Additionally, knee pads kept knees, well...padded and dryer, while Swiss Miss hot chocolate rewarded our exertion. Party bulbs from Home Depot provided the variety in glow.

Snow Castle Grayskull was a gift that kept on taking. For once, persistent giggles, flashing cameras, and ear to ear grins accompanied the footprints of the classically stoic Brooklyn pedestrian. For forty or so feet, their stern snowy commutes gave way to surprise, satisfaction, and then the urge to share their discovery. All ways round, the experiment has been a blessing. Special thanks to K-dawg and Selina Ki for the assist and Jenn R. and Jeremy K. for their green thumbs.

I know you're tired of page jumping, but from a perspective less aloof, definitely scope out the  Mothership.

Gag Reflex Good

During the reflective segment of his interview, a Louisiana fisherman declared, "We've sold our souls for the Superbowl". Smothered between allegations of British Petroleum pay-offs, sex scandals and a dismissive Cajun drawl, this statement surprisingly brought me back to the Vikings and Saints conference championship earlier this year. Post game, I recalled feeling that a few of the athletes' performances reflected agendas not entirely their own.

Historically this is nothing new, but RB Adrian Peterson's three fumbles rewrote the ending of QB Brett Farve's greatest season and ruptured the tenuous faith in the spirit of purer competition. I'm not a Viking's fan, but like many, I have become a fan of Brett Farve's story. I believe in second chances, relish against all odd scenarios, and often champion the underdogs. Perhaps this has biased my outlook on that game. Nevertheless my respect of A.P.'s talent will come with a footnote of doubt.

Unfortunately, this appears a commonality amongst the countless examples of the honorless populating the landscape, all monuments to a flourishing thriving ethos that we've all swallowed without the courtesy of gagging. Welcome to the United deep throats of America.

Working Sir George

Sir George peaks both curiosity and confusion.  It's different, unusual, and deliberately stealthy.  And because of this stealth, I'm compelled to share how simply Sir George works.

Hold between index & thumb

Pinch Index & thumb

Place into lips

Voila!  Auf Wiedersehen confusion, Hallo clarity.  The obvious thing to do next is video Sir George in action.  Stay tuned.

Sir George Evolution

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Working Obama

I'm proud to say I began the Obama bust from a wax head of moderate likeness. After Grey provided gestural control art, the body was added and the bust began its new life. Funny enough, an artist adds their sensibilities or fills the holes in there knowledge or abilities both consciously and subconsciously with what they do know. Case in point, my Asian heritage managed to filter an Asian version of Obama in his underlying bone structure particularly around his orbital socket.

Master Sculptor Grey Williamson pointed out this phenomena once he began the final transformations. His observed actions visited upon the bust appeared subtle and nearly imperceptible, however as anyone will witness the results are everything but. Where the imitation of life previously existed, now resided a tiny man imitating a statue.

A combination of wax and resin allowed amendments and preservation of fine detailed work as I molded and cast each derivation closer to our final version. The extra cost in materials procured the knowledge that our hard work was preserved in a dense resin protected from any mistake that a wax sculpt might not absorb.

Barack Obama, "Renegade"

Okay it's been a long time. However, I'm relatively proud of my contribution in the creation one of the best Obama sculpts out there. Known as the "Renegade" and tangibly representing what change looks like, I've got to say that this creation is exactly that. Master sculptor, Grey Williamson proves once again that there are no accidents in creating compelling works of art that transcends the limitations of its medium and space.

Many steps are taken to create a sculpt, beginning with 700 days of nudging and conceptualizing, project hurdles both anticipated and out of left field, and the defiant focus that's humbling to behold. Maybe these images will relay a portion of the sculpt's physical experience. Glimpse the finished version @.

http://www.carbon-fibre.me/showcase/renegade-collectible/

Raiding Party

Well, the marines of my raiding party, will be the beetle pipes. Testing has increased both my pride and concerns. Performance was simple and flawless, as it pulled nicely and lighting her up was not construed as technical, challenging, or stressful. It had a simple, straightforward operation with no learning curve, and felt compact. Brass components added to a solid weight and feel.

Stress was however expressed in the initial handling, particularly around the index finger toward the beetle's bum. Extending the legs and tightening the slot resolved this sense of imbalance as the increased sensation of pressure from the legs nullified any psychological doubt on finger placement and balance.

Slack in the abdomen was addressed with planed bolsters to prevent the twisting action that some felt created a sense of looseness and fragility. Lever action is now constrained to its intended vertical movement. I never shared the concern of fragility, but understood the discomfort associated with the superfluous yet minute twisting motion. It felt unintended and hinted at design carelessness.

Finally, an amendment in name once again. Sir John is now Sir George. A Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle is far better suited to Sir John, the three horned rhino beetle suits Sir Pete, while Sir Paul tentatively suits the rainbow scarab beetle presuming my design solution for length is robust in the test panels' hands. Sir Paul will require mechanical redesign, while the rest only surface considerations.
Thanx for sparing the time.

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The Big Payoff

Many moons ago, at university, the floodgate of creative forces buckled under the weight of stagnating complacency and released one of my earliest episodes of fearless creative exploration. All exploded as neither right or wrong existed as consequence, only release. Unfortunately, at the edge of the digital age, rare images and distorted memories only hint at the all consuming euphoria that spawned their dismissed births.

Nearly a decade later, the chance to share these exercises with a greater audience has ignited my fermented juices once again. However this time, I've developed the capacity to replicate the singular experience for the masses. My mold making and casting skills have made it possible to reach a wider audience. Yes every piece is created, developed, inspected, and packaged by me in my Bed-stuy studio.

In the newly discovered spirit of disclosure, my recent desire to share with the masses should not only be calculated as simple math to acquire coin. The currency I seek, is communion. Any and all sate derived from my work will be welcomed and coveted, as I anticipate this will create circulation and exposure, therefore increasing the probability that the following payoff might occur;

The artifact will speak to you without words or any other clumsy language system. Instead, your only recourse will be to respond with your own artifact.

Now don't get me wrong, coin is coin, but what a much smaller universe this could be if this artifactual conversation were to take place. If, two letters in the middle of life, shared the reciprocal sender and receiver.

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Sir John in the Hizzy.

Ladies & comps, I proudly introduce the 1st member of the Beetle's Pipe Collective. The faceting and metallic finish is based on knighthood and of course their armor, hence I give you, Sir John.


I'm not completely thrilled with the brass stem solution as it fights the design, however the compromise improves functionality with more clearance and maintenance with a removable bolt for cleansing. I'm also partial to the feel of the added weight. There's still room for improvements and I hoping perspectives outside of my head can expedite them. Peace.

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More Doddles

Baby turtle locket designed to be constructed without adhesives. All the faceting will translate nicely in a tinted clear resin.









Fem fatale pipe concept. Light the tooter, cup the hooter, and steal a kiss. Uber early stage, but perhaps a famous woman like Norma Jean, etc. Of course the final piece would have to be casted in a metal.

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Perhaps Premature Condemnation

Okay I may have slightly exaggerated the ineffectiveness of the original beetle's lever mechanism, and despite some compromises, I'm excited to share this much needed "oooooh yeaaaah! giggly giggly" moment of totally stoked bemusement. Take it away Maxwell!!!!

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Beetle Bumps

The resin cast of the wax original has revealed the limitations of the design. The greater friction in the resin has translated into a gummy lever mechanism and ultimately a a clumsy operation. Wing/ shell clearance from the bowl is inadequate as well which contributes to a stressed experience. I'm moderately pleased with it's potential look and feel. but a redesign in the mechanism, handling, and static appeal is in the works.
1st instead a hinged wing, a shaft mechanism will offer an opening and closing action tied into the head's lever action. 2nd it will also provide greater clearance in both the bowl to wing tip range as well as in the pipe diameter clearance. This last point will allow me utilize safer modular components.

I will admit frustration with the deceptive effectiveness of the original wax piece for it has absorbed a considerable amount of my energies. However, as Edision would put it, I have not failed here, I have merely discovered another means to not to reach my goal. Note to self; Hasbro wax's near frictionless quality forgives errors in mechanics, but I still love the stuff!

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