Tuesday 31 May 2016

Have I been...

...in a black hole for the last couple of weeks?  Perhaps, if you consider a black gesso frenzy in two studios a hole.  I've been working on a clock, if you can imagine.

The Impossible Clock, °Bart Bjorkman & Win Dinn
Repurposed table, clock workings, chalk paint, gears
47" diameter

This piece, in collaboration with Bart Bjorkman of Puffin Design, has occupied my mind, hours and dreams for the past while, and has been a long time in the works.

Bart found the table (imagine this photo without the clock hands, and some 47" inches in diameter if you can), and knew he had to turn it into a clock.


Well before Christmas, Bart did a lovely cream edging with chalk paint and left the distressed wood showing for the four sets of Roman numerals.  Adding the clock mechanism, he foolishly turned it over to me.  That's when things really started to bog down.


We mulled over a French concept, but I was unmotivated.  I spent hours working on a design concept that included a floral motif, with lacklustre results.  And then the craziness hit.  Why not do a steampunk theme?

I searched the net for clockwork gears, hoping that I could find some larger ones.  No luck.  I found a wide range of gears in sizes of 1.5 inches and under, and ordered what I loved in those.  The larger ones had to be hand-created, though.  Watch out - here comes the fun foam brainwave.


Cutting gears from fun foam is no easy task, and incising them with a ball nib ever more entertaining.


Each gear (hand-crafted and commercial) then needed to be coated with black gesso, front and back, in order to give the medium (glue) something to adhere to.  They were then painstakingly gilded with four different shades of Inka Gold to give that metallic/rusted appearance.


Ranging in size from 2" up to 8" or so, each gear took about 2 hours to complete.  In order to ensure there were enough for the design, I did sixteen of them.  I'm grateful that my artist brain precludes me from doing the math or I'd be really worried about my sanity.


Distressing the cream edge, adding some real metal nuts and bolts and other oddments from my stash, and some layering really finished it off nicely.  I'm loving the results, and can't get enough of the look; I'll be sad to see this particular piece go out the gallery door! Detail photos follow:






I've been calling this the Impossible Clock for weeks (months?) now, and the name is definitely going to stick, in my mind anyway.  It's been a huge adventure, and I'm delighted that Bart was patient enough to wait for it to come together.  Thanks, Bart, for all the fun!











26 comments:

  1. I am gobsmaked at how gorgeous this clock is. Of course the name Impossible Click has stuck but you know I will always think of it as the Incredible Clock!
    Bravo to you (and Bart) for a spectacular piece!

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    1. Thanks, Alice - it's been quite the trip, and I'm most grateful to Bart for pushing me on this. It's a much better piece because of that!

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  2. Win, thank you so much for visiting my Blog, Adorn - so happy you found me and so happy to have discovered your blog. I am now following your posts by e-mail.
    Incredible piece, absolutely stunning.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Lynne - good to see you here. And thanks, too, for the comment on the clock; it was a great collaboration!

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  3. STUNNING STUNNING STUNNING!!! Absolutely worth all that effort. You are so right, it's a good thing that your "artist's brain" prevailed and you didn't "keep your eyes on the clock" while you kept your eyes on the clock!Lol. All kidding aside, it is just gorgeous, awesome job!

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    1. Many thanks, Kimberley - it's been a delight in more ways than one. I'm so happy with the results.

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  4. Looks gorgeous, Win - well worth all the time and effort. Now it needs a nice plain wall to show it off :)

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    1. Definitely agreed about the wall, Tracy - I'll let you know if it finds one! :D

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  5. Wow gorgeous art, your clock is amazing. The gears are fabulous. Thank you for all your kind words at my blog, it's appreciated. Take good care, hope you are having a wonderful spring out there :) Shirleyxx

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    1. Thanks Shirley - I'll well pleased with the result, and suspect there could be another gear or two in my future. We're having a lovely spring and looking forward to an even better summer...I've a friend visiting your province right now (Alice above) and she is loving your heat. I admit I'm a tad envious! xo

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  6. Wow, what a big project! In more ways than one! I didn't realize it was 47 inches! It's unbelievable to know that some of those gears are made of foam! What a beauty!

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    1. Crazy size, isn't it, Zsuzsa? Bart has a penchant for large, along with an unerring eye and a fabulous vision. He's a master at divining and repurposing items that would otherwise hit the dumpster, to fabulous end. You've love a walk through Puffin!!!

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  7. Oh my gosh - what a fantastic project - this is stunning!
    Happy rest of the week to you!
    oxo Susi

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    1. Thanks, Susi - amazing what two heads, put together, can do, right?

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  8. Such a lovely clock. I think the gears are fabulous !
    Corrie x

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    1. Thanks, Corrie - that was one of the experiments that worked out just fine!

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  9. This is amazing, I can't believe that you kept your sanity after cutting out those fun foam cogs. i think you should lie down in a darkened room for a little while lol xx

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    1. What an excellent idea, Sue - perhapsa few days will do it! :D

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  10. That is fantastic, your gears look to actual gears--what fabulous results, I'm sure he's delighted!

    Good things come to those who wait, yes?

    Have a wonderful weekend!
    :)

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    1. Thanks, Trisha; yes, Bart is pleased with it as much as I - waiting can be a good thing! Happy weekend to you as well. xo

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  11. You've done a beautiful job Win! I can't wait to stop by and see it in person.

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    1. Thanks, Laura - I'll look forward to your visit...so much is missed in photos that I'll be interested to get your on-the-spot critique!

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  12. WOW WOW And WOW!!!
    Win, I just ADORE your work on this Impossible Clock,which btw is a great name!
    I really think you achieved a bit of the French look as well with a few of the gears designs-Just beautiful,my friend!
    I am still on the road, but wanted to check in and tell you how beautiful this is!

    hugs to you! xo

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    1. Thanks, Jackie - it was a terrific collaboration, and we're pleased with the results, French or no! :D xo

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