Logo

Here's my new logo. A million thanks go out to Susanne Duffner at Pica Press.

11.2.09- Vinyl stickers have been ordered...should have them in a couple of weeks. Hit me up here if you'd like some.

In the paper

This full-page ad was in the Des Moines Register last week. "The largest campus public art collection in America." Proud to have graduated from Iowa State University and contributed to the Sticks installation in the Maple-Willow-Larch dining hall.

Rosenberg Residence - installation

Here's the installed planter box for the Rosenberg family in Des Moines. Thanks go out to Thomas Wright and Tracy Rosenberg for their vision, patience and trust. It's much appreciated.

Thanks for the installation help go out to D. Boone, and Jon and Gene of Des Moines' "Corn Creepers." This thing had to go in vertically...yeah, no easy task.

Cool cabinet

I've admired this cabinet at my dentist's office for a couple of years now. Awesome deco styling; clean, sleek lines. I dig.

Eubank Residence

House numbers for the Eubank's south of Grand Tudor home in Des Moines. 4" TS, black powder coat, stainless steel digits. Congrats on the arrival of your lovely new daughter!

Rosenberg - Oxidation or "Rust Never Sleeps..."

Fabrication is complete on the Rosenberg's "modern" planter box. Today's task was to instigate oxidation on the exposed faces of the structure. I had a little guidance from Rick Lopez (and Paul!) at Iowa State University's IPRT Company Assistance – Materials Group. I did a little investigation on my own on the internet with little satisfaction prior to speaking with them. At a past employer, I had seen this process done in a day with consistent results, but didn't know the chemicals used. Muriatic acid was suggested by Rick to remove the mill scale on the hot rolled steel...and it worked beautifully.
I didn't have the time to apply numerous applications of a highly diluted acid over a week's time. Thus, the sculpture was taken outside and given a splash in the water before having some acid poured upon it into the areas where water had pooled while it was lying horizontally. The acid reacted instantly with the mill scale dissolving quite quickly. I used a disposable, bristled paintbrush to spread the diluted acid to the areas that had yet to react chemically. Places where the scale didn't immediately dissolve were given 5-10 minutes to soak. When the scale became difficult to remove with dirtied acid/water mixture, the entire surface was rinsed with fresh water. The smaller of the two areas (third and fifth photos above) required two applications. The larger area (first and fourth photos above) was unable to lay flat and had to be leaned at an angle, thus requiring four to five rounds of etching. After the mill scale was removed and the surface was a white/silvery sheen, it was rinsed with water one more time. A final misting of the acid/water mixture was applied and then allowed to dry. The mixture ratio of the mist was approximately 5:1 - 5 parts water to 1 part muriatic acid. Always add acid to water, never water to acid.
Before performing this, I took every precaution to protect myself and my surroundings. Safety glasses, chemical-resistant rubber gloves, leather boots and a respirator were all used during this process. Additionally, I did this outside in an spacious, open area, free of any obstructions. I personally would NOT recommend performing this inside unless you have the proper ventilation...i.e., a box-fan is NOT proper ventilation.
Hopefully this helps others looking for a quick rust "patina" when dealing with mild steel. All the supplies and safety equipment were purchased at Lowe's.

Rosenberg Residence

This one is hard to explain...but here's the progress on the Rosenberg's mid-century modern rusty wall/planter box. This is being fabricated to first, cover the unsightly, peeling paint on the concrete facade and secondly, serve as a planter box with a 12" deep false bottom near the top. Steel is hot-rolled, 11 gage that will receive an accelerated "rust-treatment" in a few days. It's gonna rule once it's installed. Stay tuned...

In the IKONIX Studio with the Swanson/Real tables

Today took me to IKONIX Studio in Des Moines for a quick session shooting the Swanson/Real tables. It was so quick in fact, that I had to assemble two of the tables in the studio as owner Tom Woolery shot a few pics of me with tools in hand...and eventually a very expensive digital SLR camera. This is just a taste of the shots Tom grabbed. I'll post more when he is done editing them. I had a lot of fun today and can't recommend IKONIX Studio enough. It's available for photographers and models alike. VERY pro. Dig it.

Swanson/Real tables...mock-up

Today, I had to put a lot of focus on getting these tables completely fabricated and mocked-up. They will be going to powder tomorrow in order to get them done this week while I'm in St. Louis. I like the way these go together because the steel framework isn't all one piece. The bottom shelf and tabletop is attached to each piece of wood, respectively, and thus secures the entire structure. It makes shipping and moving a lot easier. I'll have some more pics next week after the wood is stained and the steel has been shot.

I'm really thinking of making this a production piece...you choose wood, stain and powder color.

Fawn's rails - installation

Here's the installation of some rooftop rails at Fawn's Asian Cuisine in Des Moines, Iowa.

Welding caps...homemade style

I never liked the welding caps I used to get for free from the vendors that used to frequent the shop. So, I took one home, ripped out the stiching and voila!...I had templates to stich my own. After taming a fiercely uncooperative sewing machine last night, I was able to put Israel and Deutschland together. France and Switzerland are on their way...

Swine board

It's a maple pig with walnut racing stripes. Bethany is going to shoot some professional photos of it tomorrow.

Fawn's rails

These are totally function pieces. 1 1/4" tube, 3/8" FB flanges. These rails get mounted on the side of a restaurant in Des Moines as a safety precaution to keep maintenance workers from taking a spill while servicing exhaust fans. Installation pics to come at the end of the week.

Table tops

I picked up steel on Friday and fabricated the apron/skirting this afternoon that will be inlaid on top of each table. 1/8" x 2" x 2" angle. One of two 20" x 28" end tables is pictured here.

Glue-ups

Six walnut glue-ups for the Swanson/Real coffee and end tables...Tops and bottoms...

Swanson/Real tables

Here's the beginning of the process - laying the ideas out on paper and plan, plan, plan. It's been a while since I've spent any time out in the shop, but that's about to change. My love of cooking took me out on the road for a month during July/August as a touring caterer for the "Rock The River" Christian music festival. Long days and hot heat quenched my thirst for culinary for a while. It was a lot of fun and I was blessed to make a lot of new friends.

These tables will lead off the fall season in the shop for me and end up in Chicago in about a month. Thanks to Jason and Alex for the work. Always means a lot to build pieces for friends. Tomorrow will be a lot of ripping, planing, jointing and gluing of walnut. I'm excited to get back at it...cheers.

ISU - Phase II installation

Steel trellis uprights. Wood panels fabricated by Sticks.

ISU - Phase I installation

After months of planning and fabrication, here's the sum of my collaboritive effort with Sticks Inc, in Des Moines, Iowa. Actually, this isn't the "sum," just Phase I. I'm gonna be on the road cooking/catering for "Rock The River;" a Christian music festival produced in association with Franklin Graham, Billy Graham's son. Because of this, I won't be able to install Phase II - which I think will be just as cool, if not cooler than Phase I. Thanks to Sarah Grant, Kim, Michelle, Amy, JG, Johnny A., Phil, Charlie, John McDowell, Rick, Miller Performance Powder, Bob Wagaman and everyone else who helped out on this project in one form or the other. It was quite a relief and honor to see this installed today.

Pardon the interruption...it's for charity

My sideburns are up for auction on eBay. Click here to check it out and bid. All proceeds will benefit the Food Bank of Iowa.

ISU - Progress...

Phil Whiting attaching some patina'd pieces of copper and brass to one of the "spring" apertures.



Can't wait to see these installed...