'Wing'

‘Wing’ was inspired by cicada wings delivered to me by my kitty, Tater Tot.  Granted, the wings were delivered sans cidada, but I digress...

Right there on my studio's cement floor, I free-hand drew that wing's outline on an enlarged scale.  I was delighted at how easily the initial shape flowed from my hand.  I needed to make no modifications or tweaks.  It was a good sign!  With a few more strokes of the chalk, I drew in the inner lines.  I was so excited that the shapes flowed so easily through my hand. 

I usually make my tack-and-bend sculptures with 1/4” round stock.  For this piece, however, I knew that I wanted to use exclusively 1/8” x 1/2” strap.  The strap’s dimensions would provide the visual depth for the wing, all while remaining thin enough on its other axis, which was critical to the final look I wanted to convey.  (Does that make any sense at all, folks?...)

To elevate the wing, I incorporated a forged and tapered piece of 1/2” square stock to the bottom of the wing, basically making the wing's 'stem' which, in turn, is affixed to the rectangular base of the sculpture.    

 I sealed the piece with three coats of Permalac -- my trusted, go-to, clear lacquer -- that I use for my sculptures.  ‘Wing’ measures 18” tall x 9” wide x 5” deep.