Dick Bonham Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 Hi, my name is Dick Bonham. I have been a High School Art teacher and a working artist for the past forty years. I have had the wonderful opportunity to work in many different areas of art over the years. I was the only art teacher in a high school of eleven hundred students and have taught everything from batik and bronze casting through the alphabet to weaving and welding. My professional work has run from making sculptures for the Franklin Mint in the seventy’s, bronze sculptures in the eighty’s, prototype rifles, pistols, machine guns, swords, knives and armor for GI Joe figures ( Cotswold Collectibles) in the ninety’s and back to bronze sculptures in the two thousands. All of it has been great fun. I retired from teaching in September and am doing art full time. One of my main interests is Japanese metalwork and the techniques used by the incredible artists used to create their wonderful miniature works of art. Jim Kelso was kind enough to tell me about this forum and I am very excited to join. You will have to forgive my lack of conputer skills. I have allways used a Mac and I now have a PC. About the only skill I have on a computer is Photoshop which is something I taught to my high school students. To be honest I never had much other use for a computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DFogg Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 Welcome Dick, we can use Photoshop skills here too and now you have discovered one the best reasons to sit down to a computer, connecting with like minded folks who share a myopic view of the world. : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kelso Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 Glad to have you on board, Dick. Here's a piece of your work, if you don't mind, for others to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsterling Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Awesome work, Dick. Welcome! I look forward to seeing more of your work - how about some posts in the Show and Tell section? Or perhaps a link to your web site? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DFogg Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 That's interesting. What am I looking at for materials? More pictures please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Hello Dick, Nice to meet you. What kind of sculptures did you do for the Franklin Mint? Having done shows in Philadephia in the past, I met one or two people who worked for the FM. In my past work, I carved shallow relief on porcelain wheel-thrown lidded boxes, but not with as much realistic representation as the artists do for the FM. I see different colors and assume that there are several pieces of metal joined to create the openness and depth in the piece shown above. How does one color metal? I look forward to your contributions. Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Bonham Posted January 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Thank you for the welcome. And thank you Jim for posting the picture of my work. I will be happy to post some pictures as soon as I figure out how. The small sculptures that I do are created from a hundred of more individual pieces that are brazed and soldered together then carved. The colors are achieved through various liquid chemicals that the pieces are dipped into. I started using the technique while creating the “GI Joe†prototypes. I have no idea how to use machine tools ( everything I do is with a jewelers saw, high speed carving tool, gravers and a file) the individual pieces on the one sixth scale guns are exact and on flat planes so layering seemed a good solution. Since these were all one of a kind, sculpting, mold making and casting were not cost effective. I was also sick if casting since I had cast hundreds of pieces in my foundry during the previous decade. I made three dimensional pieces for the Franklin Mint. These included small scale working guns and pieces of furniture that had functional drawers and doors all done in silver. Many of the Franklin Mint sculptors are still working artists such as Eugene Daub and Don Everhart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Bonham Posted January 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Here is one of my medals in multi metal. It is four inches in diameter. The materials are copper, silver, brass and bronze. Everything is fabricated from sheet stock. The metal is chased, chisled and carved to achieve the shape and texture. The fish is jumping for a mayfly and the crayfish is after a mayfly nymph. The inspiration was a Japanese lacquer box Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlthomas36 Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Hello, my name is Mike Thomas. I am not a professional carver, nor will I ever be because I carve only for myself (I am my toughest critic). That being said I can then study any or all methods and techniques that might enable me to create the works that please me. I have followed the work of Janel and have communicated with her a number of times. Currently I am interested in shallow relief carving and have studied the works of Dmitry Emelyanov and Al Stohlman (leather carver). My past work has been in the form of caricatures, furniture carving, relief carving (Nora Hall workshops) and spoons which can use all of the techniques. I like carvings that can be carried in my shirt pocket. As far as tools go, I can usually make any that are needed using a variety of techniques. I always look to others for new tool ideas that enable new or better carving techniques. I tend to sit back and observe but can add input if asked. Thanks for having this site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kelso Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Welcome Mike. Can we see a photo or two of your work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 Hi Michael! Welcome to The Carving Path! Nice to read your message. It sounds like you have made some tools by now. Do you have any favorites? When you describe the tools, add your contribution to the Tools & Technical topic. If you have photos of the tools, it will add to the description. What have you been carving lately? Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 Dick, Thanks for describing what you have done. It is quite interesting to imagine the variety of skills you have acquired over the years. When you say "The small sculptures that I do are created from a hundred of more individual pieces that are brazed and soldered together then carved", do you make numerous pieces as you enjoy them, and then select them when composing a new piece? Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Bonham Posted January 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Janel, I created a tutorial to show how I produce some of my pieces, however, I lost the first in syber space was able to post the second and couldn't do any more because there was not enough space. When I taught all I had to do was ask any of my students for help. I think kids are born with the ability to do anything with a computer. Can you help me? Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlthomas36 Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Hi Janel, I am currently working on various ideas for spoons. When you look at the handles of knives that have been carved and the bowls of pipes(smoking) that have also been carved you start to wonder if the concepts could be combined or rethought into a whole new design that can take the form of a nonfunctional or functional spoon. It may seem unartistic but when you look at the spoon as a medium for conveying our thoughts and feelings, as well as being the first thing we use as an infant and the last as an elderly person, doesn't it encompass our lives? I am currently having trouble with cameras so it might be a few weeks before I can post a picture or two. The pictures I emailed to you in the past were terrible and as of yet I haven't had too much success with my process. As far as tools go, yes I have some thoughts and will try to post them with pictures as soon as I can. Many thanks, Mike Thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 26, 2005 Report Share Posted January 26, 2005 Hi Dick, Questions about what you tried to load... were the images too large? The Adminstration recommends using a maximum of 640x480 pixel measurement, with a 50 K file size. If you used too much text for one message and/or too many images, try the tutorial method of Jim Kelso with the progression of process with the leaves... multiple entries, one step described at a time. Also, start you own topic, to keep it unique from other discussions. If you have more questions before starting your entries, please ask them. I would like to see what you have to contribute! Janel Later: I saw the posting of the Hummingbird Medal. It would be great to see that up close, in person. The delicate vein cutting for one of the wing overlays is quite something. I would love to see how it all works together, and touch it. Now, you said you ran out of space, was that on the topic page? Have you figured out what to do yet? I think I need more information from you before making another guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 26, 2005 Report Share Posted January 26, 2005 Hi Mike, Your concept of the spoon, used throughout a person's life is nice. I look forward to the images you hope to send. I did find the earlier images you sent to me. Good luck figuring out the camera. The philosphical thoughts about the spoon, knife handles, functional/non functional could be fodder for discussion topic The Way. Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymond Johnstone Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 Greetings All Since I haven't seen any postings from hard stone carvers I thought I'd jump in.. I've been a craftsman for over 30 years having worked in many disaplines.. Wood, metal, leather but the last few years have been spent grinding away at rock.. As if carving in small scale isn't challenging enough. I don't consider myself very artistic, so I rely on the material to prompt me in my work. I'm inclosing my newest unfinished piece, which is carnelian with quartz I'm enjoying the knowledge that I'm not alone in my mania Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 Welcome Ray! Nice to read your introduction! The carnelian with quartz is a nice little piece in progress, I like the glow it has. I would like to add here that Ray and I have been email friends since the earliest years that my work was on my web site, as early as '97-98 perhaps. I have enjoyed our friendship over the years, and appreciate the spirit that keeps him carving. Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serge Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Hi Carvers! This my tortile from mammuth ivory. Janel priviet! This site is cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Welcome to The Carvering Path Serge! Will you please tell us about yourself and where you are from? Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 28, 2005 Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 Welcome to The Carving Path Serge! Will you please tell us about yourself and where you are from? Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serge Posted January 29, 2005 Report Share Posted January 29, 2005 Hi Janel! Yes I vill/I am living in Moscow. The capital of Russia. It is very coldly -minus 9 now and bfore yesterday- minus 16.Lot of snow. I finishedm my last krab.We have a politic problem in Russia but life to continue . Hope to lite future keep us. See you. Best regards. Serge Macarencov. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean McKay Posted January 31, 2005 Report Share Posted January 31, 2005 Hello, my name is Dean McKay, and I work with Stone. I am also a budding knife maker, which takes the little free time I can find. I work primarily with Nephrite Jade, and I have crafted pieces ranging in size from ring settings to 16 tonne boulders. I am stunned and awed by the work that has been displayed in this forum, but I know my exposure to your beautiful art will help my craft develop. This is one of my more recent pieces. It is a polar jade boulder weighing 6000 Kg or 13212 lbs. This piece was simply highlight polished in order to show the beauty of the Jade through the rough skin. It was created to be a showpiece for a European Gem show. Thank you for letting me come here and learn from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted January 31, 2005 Report Share Posted January 31, 2005 Hi Dean, Is that a stone cutting saw in the back right of the top two images? Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean McKay Posted January 31, 2005 Report Share Posted January 31, 2005 Hi Dean, Is that a stone cutting saw in the back right of the top two images? Janel <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes it is a stone cutting saw. It is hydraulically operated and has a 5' diamond blade on it. When operated it has a water spray on the blade, so that the diamonds do not burn out. We used to have a 6' segmented tooth diamond blade on it, but it was to noisy and has been relocated to the mine. On that boulder I actually polished another branch. Overall it was about 3 weeks of polishing. The 16 tonne boulder that we polished, took me and 2 other guys one year to polish. It is now standing upright 12' x 6' x 6' in a Thai Buddhest Temple in Niagara Falls Ontario Canada. I know that the carving forum has more of a small scale focus, but I do not have any good representative pics. Take care, Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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