It’s bittersweet. I try to only make art that I would want to keep for myself. But at the end of the day, I’ve got rent to pay, and the skills I acquired to do all this will always be with me. And for this sculpture I remembered to get professional photos taken so I’ll always have those too. My goal is also for my artwork to spark conversations and get more people interested in Bitcoin. That wouldn’t happen if I kept everything for myself.
If your wealth is meant to last for generations, why not your art?
Progress continues… ⚒️🏃🏻♂️
So many little details in the face to get right still, but it’s coming along. Carving from photos rather than a physical model has been a challenge, particularly in relief where the subject is positioned at an angle like Hal is here. Getting the perspective right is key. For example, carving a nose is difficult. At least for me I fend them very difficult. But now imagine carving that same nose not 1:1 but angled and having to create the illusion of real depth. I feel like relief carving is almost like painting with stone in that sense. It’s both sculpture and two dimensional illusion all in one. I’ve done relief before but never something this complex. It’s definitely been a learning experience and I have a lot left to learn before I’m comfortable working in this style.
Ya I’m reserving judgement on how I’ll finish it. Some of the blocks are shorter and will be covered by clear resin so I’m thinking/hoping there will still be some cool layering going on even if I smooth out the front face.
It’s out of my hands…
Picked up for professional crating and then shipping off to its new home.
Always a bittersweet moment.
I always underestimate how much resin I’ll need… just ordered some more on top of the order that’s already on the way…
Once it all arrives I should have more than enough for what I’m planning to do.
And the leak plugged itself when the first layer cured so now we’re all good.
I just poured a translucent blue layer over the first layer of opaque blue. After this will be a whole lot more clear resin up to the top of the mold.
Once everything cures I’ll sand down the top surface until everything is at the same level, including the blocks protruding over the top of the mold. At least that’s the plan for now.
One of a few pieces I’m excited to be auctioning off at nostr:npub1rwh33t5x8n7czknhts5fg0v0fml8mkl7neaarksumkkf8d679qrqcz7avv via nostr:nprofile1qqsp7f8ttjugefs085gkd9p3aadlqnqgp92d02f73al2szuau8q04egpzamhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgtcpr9mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuumwdae8gtnnda3kjctv9u0xjgla .
“Reborn” is a self portrait of sorts, using my own hand as a model, and carved from a single block of Carrara marble.
"Reborn" is inspired by my Bitcoin journey and the many other people whose lives have been changed by Bitcoin.
I carved the hand in the “Gyan Mudra” or the “Mudra of Wisdom or Knowledge,” with an Opendime between thumb and index finger alluding to the pursuit of Bitcoin knowledge.
The hand emerges from rough, choppy water, and I've set the hand against an archway, through which, the copper leaf hints at the bright orange future made possible by Bitcoin.
Nah it’s all good. I kinda expected this to happen to some degree because of how I built the mold. It’s curing now anyway and I was able to scoop some of the epoxy back in. Once it cures the holes in the mold should be filled and then I can do the next layers. The mold is a throwaway made of cardboard so it’ll all get sanded away afterwards.
Oh no! It sprung a leak!
Luckily it looks worse than it is. The resin is starting to harden and the leak is tiny. Once this layer cures I should be good. Following this layer will be a translucent blue followed by clear. Already feels like I’m swimming in the mempool…
Photoshoot ✅
This sculpture ships out to its new owner later this week, but I’ll be sharing more media in the coming days.
Would anyone be interested in limited edition photo prints?
Back to work on the details..
The face looks a little eerie right now, but that will change as the work gets closer and closer to completion.
One of the biggest things I’ll have to tackle towards the very end is texture. Slate is a dark stone, but the various “colors” you can achieve are numerous if you treat it right.
For now though, I’m jumping around the parts of the face, working slowly. Going to tackle the hair again after the face is done, and then on to the feet…
Progress continues.. ⚒️
I posted a video to Twitter if you’re interested. Was too long to upload here.
Taking a break from Hal’s face to work on some lettering.
I decided to go with raised lettering rather than inscribing them. Should look really nice with the Ubuntu font, and this is a technique I’ve always wanted to try. Takes a bit more time, but it’ll be worth it.
Thank you! Ya I love the back too, but the inclusions and colors in the front are pretty cool. Very happy with how it turned out.
Bitcoin is beautiful.
A few iterations later and … done.
Need to clean up the print a bit but I think it turned out nicely.
Calcite cutoffs slotted into the mold..
For the rest of ₿ I’m still deciding how I’ll fill the space. I have a lot more smaller cutoff pieces that weren’t suitable to be trimmed like this so in may just clean them and dump them in more organically. I think it will be a nice contrast. And then resin to knit it all together…
