Year Review

I must say it has been a pretty good year over all, filled with lots of new adventures and firsts. A busy year settling into my new home and studio. Happy New Year Everyone!

New puppy.

Travel horse sure had a year.

My first traditional resin.

And I at least got one painted! 

Merry Chrsitmas

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and 

best wishes for the new year everyone! 

Burros and Sunsets

The BLM not only has Mustangs you know, they have Burro's! So cute and cuddly just wanna squish their fluffy faces. My puppy Lily was curious about these long eared creatures, as they were in her. She was a good dog and just sniffed there noses. The corrals are also home to spectacular views and as I left I was bless with a beautiful sunset.    

Wordless Wednesday - Mustangs

Took a trip up to our regional BLM Mustang and Burro corrals. These wild horses once roamed South California, Nevada and Arizona. There sure are all types, colours and sizes of mustangs (pretty sure someone released some drafts!).  While I don't agree with the methods used in rounding up these beautiful animals, its wonderful to see them all in good health.

Fixing a broken OF part 2

Now that you have removed your glued fingers from your eyes (Pro Tip: acetone nail polish remover works great!) It's time to sand and sand and sand. Start with a 400 grit wet sandpaper and let it soak in water for around 15 mins, this increases flexibility of the paper.

I always have a spray bottle filled with water which I spray onto the paper and model. Keeping everything wet extends sanding life, keeps away any dust and improves finish.

Then I do the whole thing over again with 600 grit making sure you use plenty of clean water to minimize friction between paper and plastic. Sand the joint area down to below the height of either side, this makes room for the epoxy.  

Next take a very small amount of epoxy and fill in the gap you made with the sandpaper. Level it out and add the details if any, that are missing. Once dry guess what you get to do again! Thats right Sanding!  Your not done until blood is coming from sanded finger tips, thats the price of a smooth finish. Once its baby bottom smooth its time for a fine coat of gesso and then paint. I used my airbrush to paint his now fully attached tail. 

If you have any questions feel free to comment or email them through to me. Oh here is some Thor again because who doesn't love the god of thunder.

Fixing broken OF part 1

Sadly one of my OF models decided he wanted to be docked, while he insisted I wasn't so sure. After some humming and hawing I decided I would try and fix his extreme hair cut. First time for everything right? The only good thing about my tail-less friend was his colour, I find the darker the better for repair work.    

Trusty dremel in hand, with a attachment that is long and pokey (yep thats it's technical name) . I started to make small indents into his tail and dock. 

The indents are for a small piece of wire, which will give the tail more strength. I have also rounded off both tail and dock to leave space for the glue and epoxy.  

Baking soda and super glue are a match made in heaven. This match forms one of the strongest bonds kinda like Thor and Mjollnir... mmm Thor.

Ok, ok back to tails. Put the glue on first then sprinkle the baking soda over the top. 

Pro Tip: If you blow off the excess baking soda into your eyes make sure you do NOT have super glue on your hands when you rub your eyes... 

Next post (after you remove your glued fingers from your face) will be sanding, sanding, sanding and some more sanding!