Tail Tuesday and More

The 'frame' is done!  I have frame in quotes because I think it is too pretty to be just an undercarriage. 

To recap a bit, yesterday was Tail Tuesday which marked the hanging of the tail structure.  I was planning on having to use 6 or so cables from the rafters, but to my delight the construction was sturdy enough that only two were needed.  Even those cables were not 100% necessary.  It wasn't only the tail that got done yesterday, but also priming and painting panels. Tail Tuesday carried well on into the night and then slightly into Wednesday because gravity is not the friend of paper mache.  We switched gears from newspaper to canvas stapled onto the frame and over the chicken wire.  It isn't as sturdy, but it is in an area that doesn't matter.  I had hoped to get the entire tail covered in labels last night, but when I realized the only way to do so involved climbing onto a 8 foot wall when nobody else was in the studio,  Since I lack a Life Alert system, I opted to head home at 1:30.  I had a great crew helping on Tail Tuesday, and it is so nice to have people  who are able and willing to jump in to get the project completed.

The crew evaluating the tail.

Prepping the tail structure before it is installed.

Jess and Eileen covering the tail with canvas
because the paper mache did not work.

Today was adding the rest of the aluminum in between the panels.  Tony figured out how to dart it so that it would flow better between body sections.  I worked on decoupaging the tail.  This involved standing under the tail and having glue drip into my hair and onto my face and run down my arms. 

In the early afternoon, I was put in contact with Jay Bachemin, a photographer who is working with Funke Fired Arts help students get professional shots of their work.  He said that he had a small window of time available at 4 o'clock.  This meant I had less than 2 hours to get 3 sheets of aluminum put up, on which involved the dorsal fin of the whale.  Eileen and I rocked it out with me being in a slight panic.  The photos will hopefully be used to promote the project. 

Eileen priming around the body.

Anyway, the frame is finished and clay work is starting tomorrow!  I am not feeling too much pressure yet though we will see how the next step goes.  At worst, the whale is really beautiful without clay.  Stop by and check it out, hand me some clay.  This is also the last opportunity to have your name listed as a donor for the night of the show.  The money is going towards Sea Shepherd and Whaleman Foundation.