Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Marking Time

It's wonderful to have great friends...especially when those friends have more than a few special talents.

Don Wiegand is one of those people. I've blogged before about Don. His studio is more museum than workplace. Outside his geese, ducks, exotic chickens, and peacocks roam the yard. I received my first goose egg (no, not a knock on the head) from Don. It sat in the refrigerator making all the regular chicken eggs look the size of a robin's.

And then there are his bronze sculptures. They're best described as "scary good". It looks as though they could come to life any moment.

When he's not working on a myriad of other projects, Don is kind enough to do hand casts. Last year, on our wedding anniversary, he did ours.






















First, oil up hands and arms. Sort of like greasing the frying pan for that "no stick" effect.






















Next, get hands in proper position.




Then in comes the gooey pink stuff. If you've ever had a dental impression before, you know what I'm talking about. Hold perfectly still and wait about 5 minutes. Slowly and carefully pull out hands. Then plaster is poured into the impression which sits for a few hours. Finally the bucket is dumped and a giant pink rubbery mound is revealed.

The next task is to carve away the pink stuff. Careful! You could lop off a finger!




Finally! My ring tore a little groove in the cast which makes my hand look like the aftermath of a knife attack.  But not to worry. Don can fix it. About one month later...






















Voila! The finished product. Interestingly, the cast captures every line, bump, crease, and wrinkle. In other words, you may not want to biggify this picture.

Though we did the cast last year, a few days ago, on August 21, 2010 we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. It got me to thinking just how much our old hands have been through over the years...

Palms together on our wedding day, signing papers on our first home, digging in the garden, scrubbing, painting, pounding a nail, writing endless checks, cradling a baby, applauding accomplishments, wagging a finger of admonishment, carrying a load that sometimes felt far too heavy, wiping away tears, surrounding a loved one with a gentle hug. I guess we really have earned every single mark that's detailed on our cast.

And I wouldn't trade them for anything.

23 comments:

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

BEAUTIFUL post !!!! I know a man that does bronze sculptures too.

Anonymous said...

Great post, Pat.

Happy Anniversary. We were there that day and are glad to have you two as dear friends.

Peg and me

The Daily Pip said...

Very cool!

Your pal, Pip

Mimi said...

This is an awesome post & Now I want one like that for my hubby & I. We will be celebrating 7 years married on Saturday!

Peggy Frezon said...

what a special and strong symbol. I bet you will smile every time you look at it.

Sketching with Dogs said...

What a fantastic keepsake. I love any kind of artwok and that is so special and personal.
I thought that looked like the stuff the dentsits use - now forgive me, I have to lie in a darkened room at the mention of the you-know-what!
Lynne

Sketching with Dogs said...

ps Happy Anniversary, I am 3 years behind you.
Lynne

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Happy Anniversary! I love the idea of the hand casts though I've not heard/seen this before. How cool would it be to do that during one's first year of marriage and then again after 20-30 years? Very cool.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful sculpture! Where do you have it displayed?

Happy Anniversary!
-Boots' Mom

Michelle Faith said...

Wow that is cool, amazing post and what a great friend to have.

Linda O'Connell said...

This is an awesome tribute to the many times that you and your husband have interlocked hands to support one another. What a lasting treasure. I'm sure these hands hold countless memories. Happy Anniversary Pat.

Tammy said...

Beautiful. And beautiful. Happy anniversary.

Terri Tiffany said...

Oh wow--this brought tears to my eyes and I couldn't help but look at my own hand. We have been married 33 years in about two weeks. That would be an awesome gift!

Lynn said...

YEAH! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I love the hand cast, what a special keepsake.

the booker man said...

happy 35th anniversary, miss pat!! what a beautimous post to mark the occasion, too. i love you and your husband's hand holding sculpture. that is a super cool idea!
*woof*
the booker man

Anonymous said...

What interesting photos and the process of making hand casts.
Good post, ~Ron

Ryker said...

What a unique and inspirational Anniversary Gift. I love it. Congratulations to the two of you.

Granite State Pet Sitting said...

Very Cool! Love Bronze sculptures, thanks for sharing an amazing post.
Your Friends at
http://www.lifewith5dogs.com/

ocmist said...

How AWESOME! I’ve always LOVED hands and the stories they tell about a person’s life. I’ve got a picture that I’m working on in my mind that will feature a hand, for my next drawing/painting. Interesting, too, about your wedding anniversary. Our 35th will be on Sept. 14th of this year. That is a totally cool sculpture and it was really interesting to see/hear how it was done! Grammy from Corgi Country

Marg said...

I never have seen that before. That is really neat. I like that.
Have a great Sunday.

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Miss Pat,
I am a bit late with this but Happy Anniversary! :)

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

BECKY said...

Oh, that is a wonderful memento for your anniversary! Congratulations! You said it all so perfectly, too!

Unknown said...

What a unique and lovely way to commemorate your anniversary.

Happy anniversary!

Marlene
RMKK Companion