CONCRETE SCULPTURE!! do I belong in your community??

[smartink]

Well another "hello from France"!!!
I've tried a couple of "arty forums" and got "slated" but you fellas seem a bit more "down to earth"....maybe it's me who's not!!!
I do CONCRETE sculptures in my garden in france, my friends seem impressed, so what do YOU think......

http://mynetimages.com/album/smartink/

[fritchie]

Welcome! I like all your figures, and the garden scenes show them off well. Most are unpainted, and that works well. (Are they coated with a clear protective material, or do you think they are OK as is outdoors?)

If I mention the ithyphallic figure, you may get more attention than needed, but I consider it fun. The only piece that's painted.

[EJB]

Welcome! I think concrete is a wonderful and versatile medium. Check out the following. You are not alone.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/25/ar...er&oref=slogin

[racine]

smartlink. you have the kind of work i can only see as good to encourage. many things may be criticised and that is true of all artists.. when they enter the public domain. obviously you are not that easy to 'destroy'
concrete is a wonderful medium, some of the greatest sculptures in the world are made of concrete, they call it architecture..[that might start up a debate?]
have u tried cement fondue?

[smartink]

Well first of all thanks very much for your very encouraging replies,
first to FRITCHIE, the "archtwins" and the "guardienen" have stood the test of 5 winters without any protection......
thanks to EJB for the link It's great to know I'm not alone....
And to RACINE thanks a lot for the encouragement, did you call me "artist"??

ok it's outsider art maybe, anyway I love doing it s'what counts!! funny you mention "architecture" as my original "inspiration" to use concrete came from the fabulous architecture of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona...check THAT stuff out...
and lastly it sounds interesting but i don't know what cement fondue is, please tell, thanks .....smartink

[tomgr]

Welcome Smartlink,
I really enjoyed looking at your sculptures. Your garden must be a magical space! I just started playing with concrete myself. I usually work in clay to bronze but wanted something a bit more direct. I would appreciate any pointers you could give. At present I am using a resurfacing cement (with binders and chopped fibergass) and adding about 20% fire clay to give it a little plasticity. I work this over a steel and forming cloth armiture. Could you explain your process?

Happy sculpting,
Tom

[smartink]

Hi TOMGR,
Thank you for the compliment it's allways welcome and encouraging I think we all need some of that eh??
Tips are difficult.... though For anybody else reading and wants to have a go at concrete.... this my first tip is DO NOT MANIPULATE CEMENT WITH BARE HANDS!!! it's chemical reaction in drying burns the skin and the construction sand is made from crushed SILEX a very sharp mineral which lacerates the skin .....I know from the first sculp I did and I suffered for two weeks!!
Otherwise I use normal multi purpous cement with white "filler" sand and no additifs, which have survived five winters so far,
my last one "Maya" the "african woman" I coverd with exterior mastic filler to make the surface really smooth (after a rub down with fine sandpaper), the filler is yet a test as I din't know how it stands up to the elements but I'm going to paint her anyway..I use paint "special metal" like HAMMERITE which has proved to be excellent on concrete,
I do the same as you for the armature, I have an arc welding machine to stick the skeleton together and I use bits of polystyrene "packing case" stuff to fill out the form and bind it together with "chicken cage" wire mesh which holds the concrete in place while it dries...if anybodys interested i have some "step by step" photos....I use old motorcycle crash helmets to start the head (which i get for next to nothing in local flea markets) likewise the kids "glass marbles" for the eyes...
anyway I'd like to see some of what you do if you've got any photos??
Doesn't the clay interfere with the hardening process??

regards ...

[tomgr]

Hi Smartink,

I used fire clay. I use this clay as part of a recipe for the refractory cement to line the furnaces with. I believe the clay is fired in kilns in its powdered form. It just seems to help give the concrete a bit more body. It seems to harden just fine. I don't have any pictures yet... the figure I'm working on is only covered up to it's hips. I leave for vacation this morning but will try to take some picts when I return in a week.

Happy sculp[ting,

Tom

[Mr. Malloy]

thanks, I am new here myself. I am also inspired by your work and confidence. The link about the other concrete sculptors was good. That guy was saying "people do not have confidence in their creativity" or something like that. I am trying to get going with some concrete sculpture and have been for some time. I have aquired much supplies but keep going back to metal, welding sculpture (the old stand by) and I'm having a time to keep producing with that.

[merelees]

I have been messing around with cement myself this summer. I am having trouble getting it to stick to vertical surfaces. I would love to see your step-by-step photos!

[smartink]

Hello MR MALLOY and MERELEES (nice name),
I am deeply gratified that you may be "inspired" by my "work" it's a lot of fun and with nice comments like that it's all the more worthwile doing thank you.
MERELEES, sorry "step by step" was slightly over!! but I put a few photos on "mynetimages" to show some early stages, you can see though, the "chicken wire" wrapped round everything is a. to keep all the "stuffing" in place but it is THAT that helps to stop the cement sliding off, provided you make your 1 part cement/two parts sand mixture not too sloppy!! make it fairly stiff, leave it for quarter of an hour then WITH RUBBER GLOVES ON grab a handfull and smooooth it on pushing it into and over the wire, don't try to put too much on at a time, an inch or so thickness then wait till the next day... (start another one ha ha) then come back for another coat or start some detail this time using those throw away latex gloves, (lightly wet the the surface of the first coat to start)
and there you go? I hope this helps .....let me know....

http://mynetimages.com/album/smartink/THE_MAKING_OF/

[jakewebster]

Yes you do belong, and I am glad to see your work here. I've been working in wood and stone for over forty years and two years ago discover cement its a wonderful material to work with. Good luck- keep up the good works.


Jake Webster

[JAZ]

In case anyone is interested in some basic step-by-step methods you might get a copy of "Making Concrete Garden Ornaments" by Sherri Warner Hunter (Lark Book, NY, ISBN 1-57990-318-5). Don't assume from the title that it's only about bird baths and such - there are a few abstract sculptures included, and some advanced methods described. It covers the technique you use and others including reliefs and the making of cotter boards for casting elements.
JAZ

[icreate]

Welcome!
I worked in concrete or should I say poured in concrete for years. It is a very heavy medium, I had a heck of a time flipping those molds, but then I am a girl! ....

Yes, it does burn, and my apprentices never believed me. I am also surprised at how fragile it can be, most people don't realize that. Oh an once I carved wet concrete. It was the days I would have done anything for a buck. Sure glad those days are over. I could not move my hands for days afterwords!

Any way. Here is one of my favorite concrete artists, here in Houston, Texas anyway. David Addicks

I love that you have made your garden an event! I am a gardener as well and love creating that way. you get to add color and texture with plants! Thanks f or sharing.

[AKady]

Originally Posted by springart456

alternative material such as: fiberglass, bronze, stainless steel, etc!

Fist off spam.. Second off I never knew Bronze was an alternative material.

Man your work looks great, I like how you use the helmets and foam, but do you have to remove it from inside? dose it create issues with cracking?
Also do you work with it more wet or dry?