Revolutionary Girl Utena, and the Sword of Dios

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Heya! I have ZERO time, but wanted to check in and give you the final shots of A's Revolutionary Girl Utena's Sword of Dios. Ta-da! It'll be on the road by Friday, where A plans on mercilessly stalking the mail carrier! Just remember- no blood- it stains. ;) I'm off to the new martial arts class to hand over the 'medical waiver' and nervously watch my kid glove up for the first time. Ughhh. Let ME put them on and I'm fine. Let him put them on and suddenly I'm a pussy. :) Thanks again to A for choosing me on this project. Billsham's bike is on hiatus, so guess what, M? We're on. Give me a day to clean up and figure out the hdmi thing on the ps3 and we'll roll! Be good to you.
bc

Utena, I've got your Sword of Dios- I'll be gentle.

Friday, March 26, 2010

shopblog/Twin Creek

Okay, folks. A quick note. A's Sword of Dios went into paint this afternoon. Almost halfway done! Would have been more than that but I spent the early afternoon fortifying the yard against a small canine Houdini. Still a little to go, but nearing the end! Can't wait for the rest of the paint and then the all-important clear that really makes the colors pop! Hey, A., ready to battle?

Beyond that, my focus is on lasagna and the seven mile trail race tomorrow at Twin Creek. Carb up, sleep early, let's do this. Be good to you.

bc

The Sword of Dios- translation- Watch your Ass

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Heya. Utena's, I mean, A's Sword of Dios is nearly ready for final touches and paint. Another week or two and we should be packing her up. WTD may get a bump in line while the final designs for the Game of Death Motorcycle are laid out.

What else? Saturday is my first trail race. A seven mile race near Germantown. First experience, but I'm excited. Should be fun. I ran the course last week just for homework, and while some spots are a little rugged, it might as well have been paved compared to where I've been running. Met an older guy on the trail. Talked for a moment before he bounded away like a deer.

I think that's all to report. Food's in the oven- a Moroccan flavored pork roast, brown rice and quinoa to follow. That, and good Canadian beer. Be good to you.
bc

Wildlife and Woodcarving from the Miami Valley to Revolutionary Girl Utena

Friday, March 19, 2010

Hands up, who's tired?

Okay. Hands up! Who's tired? Looong day today. Ran an easy eleven miles along the river this morning. Beautiful day here in the Miami Valley. Discovered a large (Hopwell?) lookout mound I never knew was there. Saw several turkey scooting across the trail and into the woods. Usually I just see the hens, but today there was a Tom among them. They were fifty feet away, and by the time we arrived where they were... nothing.

From there straight into the shop to work on the Sword of Dios, which is coming along just fine.

Several pieces and bits of detail to be added yet, including a filigree/handle wrap that vaguely resembles rose canes and thorns. I thought perhaps to use a more realistic rose leaf pattern, but as usual- unless asked it's best to stay with the reference. So now it's nit pick bodywork while I build the rose-butt piece and other details, add them and resin over the handle detail. Then paint paint paint!

While waiting for bondo to dry I cleaned up the backyard- finally- cutting last year's dead from bushes, shrubs, and grasses. I have a huge mound to burn now. Wow, and just like that I run out of gas. Hands up! Who's tired? That would be me. Be good to you.
bc

Sword of Dios gets it's start

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Today's special- Sawdust. The Sword of Dios is rolling along and I'm making quite a mess. I knew you'd be pleased. ;) Listening to Donavan Frankenreiter- Pass It Around, at the behest of Billsham. Is it Jack Johnson? Is it Ray LaMontagne? Is it the seventies? Not sure yet, but I haven't turned it off yet, so that's a start.



Still covered in sawdust. Bounced back from the first cold in years. Ran a new distance record Friday- 12.11 miles! Next week I'll bump it up a mile and make it the half-marathon mark. Feeling good.
Almost finished with the book Chirunning. I was pretty skeptical at first, but some of it made sense, and after trying it, found it to be very intuitive for me. I keep playing with it, particularly the leaning from the ankles bit. I always thought I was, but with some practice have discovered that I've been leaning from the waist- very hard on the lower back. When I find the ankle lean, everything smooths out, and my speed increases without effort. So far so good.

Sword of Dios is coming along well. The more I carve in straight wood, the more I like it. Fiberglass is fantastic, but often the medium puts it out of reach for some people. Like you, I do hate to tell someone no.
The detail is where this prop is going to really pop. I'm not even finished with the carving, much less bodywork, but I'm looking forward to paint! And it's going to be VERY light while retaining it's strength.

I run again tomorrow morning, but then Monday I'll be back in the shop again, making the push for A.

With a few drinks I think this music would make me cry. Sniff.

Be good to you.


bc

On the Road with Fresh Breeze, Sword of Dios, Game of Death (not by Milton Bradley), and Way to Dawn.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Heya! What's first? Haven't heard from Z yet, but Fresh Breeze shows delivered and signed for by the enigmatic Z.

So today was freaking beautiful! I am SO tired of all the snow and ice. I'm normally the freak saying' I love winter', much to the baleful glares around me, but this year I've had enough. I give I give I give. Last run was brutal- just like the past few months- ice- snow- mud, and the nagging idea that there's hot cocoa at home- and you're here- x miles out. Soon we'll be flying down the trail, packing in miles like the mileage whores we are.


What's next? Well seed packets and garden porn, of course. Oh, in the shop, you mean? Next up is the Sword of Dios. from Revolutionary Girl- Utena wielding, of course, for A. Here's the first glimpse of the rose sculpting that will become the decorative butt-piece for the sword.
Rough now, but I had to start somewhere, yes? Template tomorrow, layout and cutting, etc. etc. ad nauseum, paint and clear clear clear. It should look like this, pretty girl not included.


Billsham's Game of Death bike after that. We're going all yellow and black striped. For those unfamiliar with Bruce Lee geekery it's the same theme (borrowed) as the suit Uma wore in Kill Bill. Oh, yeah....

Beyond that we'll revisit the Way to Dawn for M, cause it's so cool.

Only thing I see after that is the Rt. 66/Kerouac mural. Which will involve scaling a smaller version and painting to see how I feel about it. If all is well- and it usually is- then we'll go for the larger mural version. Beyond and before that is pasta- which is ready. My ninja-like reflexes saved it earlier- so now it's time eat. Be good to you. Radio Caroline is playing some really weird shit tonight, I must say. :)
bc

PS3 Calling/ Fesh Breeze/Revolutionary Girl

Monday, February 8, 2010

Shop Blog

The shop is very cold. Even with the heater my breath still steams my goggles. Keyblade Fresh Breeze is on the table, template refined, cut, and laid out- the main cuts almost finished. Another fifteen minutes, although the prospect of finishing seemed unbearable as the temps began to dip again. Looking good, and pleased with what promises to be a very cool piece. More pics in a day or so.

From there we go on to the next project- the Sword of Dios, from Utena, Revolutionary Girl. Another very nice project by the cool people of cosplay.

Before long I'll quit bitching about the weather and start hunting the seeds and plants I want for the garden this year. Completely missed the Amaranths/Love Lies Bleeding last year. This year will be different- a huge block of drooping red is what I see. That, and Cosmos, Castor Beans, Cleomes, the usual suspect vegetables, and maybe a money tree or three. If they fruit out, I'll send seed! What is the latin for a money tree?

Work is finished for the day- I think the ps3 is calling.... Be good to you.
bc