A look at my gear as Ascension sculpture returns from foundry

I've thrown away my old work shirt. This beauty got me through some long winters in Wallsburg. I of course used it while working in the cold garage there finishing some of my bronze sculptures. It's been burned and caught in the grinder a few times. Here it is before it goes in the dust bin. Also a picture of its original owner before he shrunk it and passed it on to me. This is of course my husband Sam.

Sam and I in Wallsburg, 2001

The cause for this gear purge is the arrival of "Ascension" aka "Moon Lady" from the foundry. I'll be working out in the cold garage, so I need to gear up! This is what stainless steel looks in the rough. Kind of dingy, eh? You can see some spots on the abdomen and neck where the shininess is showing a little. But it's going to take a lot more of that kind of grinding to get it to shine! 

"Ascension," rough cast stainless steel, 2011

"Ascension," rough cast stainless steel, note the back panel which was cut out and cast separately sitting in the rear.

My client chose the name "Ascension," which is more noble than my nickname of Moon Lady. He wanted to have the title reveal that this figure is not just about the dream state and sleeping. She is a figure rising.

This project is giving me the chance to learn to weld stainless. Here's my trusty Miller TIG welder which allows me to do so. It also doubles as a shelf for some of my Armor Dresses. I am SO GRATEFUL for tools (and warm shirts) that give me the power to do what I want to do. Tools of any kind are liberating aren't they?