SWAGMAN

[scrapartoz]

Thank you Mack and suburban.

I finally decided to get back to work and start on the dog that will accompany the "swagman".

The sequence is as follows:
1. Bulid the dogs head taking into acount the desired finished size of the dog
and the parts you can find.



2. Next make a 'jig' that will permit you to position the dogs head anywhere or how in a 3D space. this involves a movable base with height adjustment and horizontal rotation= (A) small mild steel rods that permit movement (bending) on a vertical rotational axis =(X). as well as a 'universal joint' made from 2x bolts with nuts =(1 and 2) as well as lock nutsto enable to fixing in place once position is selected.





3, Draw a plan in chalk on your base.
4. install vertical rods along the centre line of the subject
5 attach and adjust a "dorsal Line" in stee rod to "see" the basic 3D shape (spine)of the subject.
6. design and make an internal primary frame within the subject dimensions (the blue box steel RHS) this will include vertical cavities to house the mounting pins that will be set in the concrete etc mounting plynth.



7. now the fun part: start assembly of major body parts.(fix to blue mounting frame) At this stage work can be lifted off base plate for internal welding of components.
final head position will not be fixed until body is complete.
More pics on the process /sequence in a week or so.

[Mack]

Had no idea of the complexity involved...thanks for the enlightenment...I like the dog already!

[chris 71]

i knew after your post about your horse and jockey, and how it could be taken apart and put back together so as to be put into a room. just how much thought and percision you put into your work. think i even called you genius lol

my first thought looking hear at your reveling your process was ah! scrap is showing us his secrets... but its ok no one can do what you do, the way you do it, even with the resicpe. you are the champ of this type of work its yours you own it.

[The Forge]

Scrap,
You are one of the most creative artist that I have ever seen. Looking at your start to the 'dog' is amazing. Your ability to be able to visual assemble 'random' parts into creating great sculptures is a God given talent that few of us have. You are amazing. Keep up the good work.

[Robson Valley]

A very, very stimulating build to watch (like all the others).
Scrap's greatest secret is the stash, the pile of parts, to have the choice!
Ghosts of the machine.

[YueLiang]

wow, it just keeps getting more impressive. I am usually not a huge fan of scrap metal sculptures, but this is fantastic!

[scrapartoz]

Thank you Forge and YueLiang for those kind words.

Mack - its funny that this sort of stuff looks easy and simple until you start trying to do it. This sequence i use on nearly all work and it seems to allow for easy changes and the ability to 'see' the finished product in advance in 3D.

Chris - I figure that if anyone wants to have a try at this sort of medium I might be able to save them a few years in R&D. I think there is room enough for everyones art so Im not concerned about future competition.

Robson Valley. Yes you are 100% correct. The right junk is essential. This system would not work if I didnt have a wide"choice"
I now attend markets and buy individual old used tools etc for use in my work. this has increased the cost of producing this stuff considerably

thanks 4 the support.a

[Robson Valley]

I'm enough of a biologist to understand that if you want to continue making biological forms, the bilateral symmetry demands pairs of pieces. While some center-line things might be unique, the sheer tonnage of the pile to pick commands a great deal of effort (and money, no?) for selection.

Damn good thing you don't appear to want to build critters with radial symmetry!

[scrapartoz]

Yes Robson Valley. its hard enought to find a pair of items.

Here is progress. A fair bit to do yet. The final placement of the dog in relation to the swagman will be the key to success. the viewer must witness the communication and relationship between the two weary friends.

The dog will be positioned so it looks up into the swagmans eyes not the position shown in the photo.

The dogs tail has been broken in a fight - cheers scrap

[Nelson]

Hi Scrap.

Swagman`s dog is looking very good. The pose, parts used and all looks might good, but there`s something about the tail that doesn`t feel right. not sure if it`s the length or bulkiness of tip, that makes it look lumpy and heavy, cumbersome to hold up for the dog so to speak.

Or perhaps is just the wagging making it appear so, LOL.

[Mack]

The dog's pose "looking up" is really effective, poignant even...why the broken
tail? seems to distract a bit...

[Robson Valley]

The dog's body-form posture ("down" is always good) is both brilliant and consistent with the image.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are the 4x4 of big bird dogs. I get the
same looks from both Muddy and Tia every day.
I think that the tail is too long in relation to the body length of the dog.
I'll try to measure my dogs today and give you the ratio of body:tail.

[scrapartoz]

NELSON & ROBSON VALLEY...........yes I agree the tail is wrong. When I removed the head the sculpture became a headless lion cub!!!!!

(a few snips here and there and she will look a treat)

Mack .....the broken tail is certainly a distraction and it stays. This makes the dog look damaged (ugly). this is the bond with the swagman ..both are outcasts, imperfect & shunned. I thought a beautiful perfect purebred dog would not be in keeping with the commonality of the two travellers.

just my thoughts. mmmmmmmmmm

[scrapartoz]

FINISHED! awaiting inspection by purchasing committee who will then decide how they want it placed in their town.

The next project : something botanical

[Mack]

Congratulations A! Be a lucky town and lucky townfolk that have your sculpture in their midst.
Extraordinary work and vision!

[Nelson]

Pretty good Scrap.

Did you try taking picks without the straw bed? I feel without it, the whole set up would look more natural, pertinent. Oh another thing, seems either the arm or the pot is a bit heavy...lol.

[scrapartoz]

Thank you Mack and Nelson.

The straw bed conceals a steel framework structure that will be imbedded in concrete. 5 x 5/8" Dia steel pins protrude up into the sculpture(from the concrete) to support and secure it. the hay is temporary camouflage. I see what you mean about the arm but the dimensions seem plausable. the whole thing looks a little exaggerated (my intention) look at the sillouette(shade) photo: big hat ,big beard etc looks a bit cartoony..... but thats my style so the oversize coat sleeves are not too much out of place.

cheers.a

[KatyL]

I am not usually a sculpture from junk type person, but I really like this. You show an understanding of the material not usually seen in this type art.

And yes, you may quote me in your brochure.

[Robson Valley]

Beautiful. Extraordinary. Quite evocative in an very quiet, emotional way.
I could not countenance any negative remarks from the purchasing committee.

[scrapartoz]

Thank you KatyL i will make sure your reference is 32 point Bold upper case on my brochure!
Thanks Robson . i' m just waiting on the committe to drive two pegs in the ground that will give me location and orientation , then i will peg out the concrete slab dimensions so the community can do the concrete slab formwork. I will place the steel subframe prior to the concrete pour and finishing.

[jOe~]

Killer work !!! Outstanding.

[evaldart]

I would say that it is not at all the "understanding of the material" that separates you from the junk assembler. No, This piece is massively effective because of your relationship to the subtleties of GESTURE. Which is a completely figurative concern. When one "understands" that then the medium is secondary and incidental. A junk assembler is responsible for gesture just as much though...as is any artist in any medium. Form and composition equate ALL creative endeavors.
Your figure has become more than a character, more than a caricature, more than a reference...and THAT is why it is good.

Love it Scrap.

[scrapartoz]

thank you .E

[rika]

Originally Posted by scrapartoz

Thanks Nelson,
I can only portray the humanity of the subject in a way that touches me.

You have succeeded, Scrap. It touches me too, even on these small pictures the humanity, the connection between the two shines through. Good times and bad times, pain and joy are filling up that empty space between the two.

[scrapartoz]

thanks RIKA you have described my intention very accurately.