ROCK TALK
MONTOYA SCULPTURE & SUPPLY
Interesting sculpture related news, technical tips, special offers and other important information
By Jeff Halverson
Sculptor and Owner of Montoya Sculpture & Supply
www.MontoyaSculpture.com
Aug 23, 2003
Issue 3
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Editor's Note
2. Interview with Vince Ricci, Sculptor and Montoya Teacher
3. Sculpture Tool- The Variable Speed Angle Grinder
4. Current Sale- (ends August 30, 2003)
5. Upcoming Events
6. Please send sculpture quotes (maybe win $25 gift certificate)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This is a 100% opt-in list. You've received this free eNewsletter because
you have kindly granted us your email. We never have nor will sell or publish your email address. If you wish to be removed from our list, please click on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
SCULPTURE QUOTE
Question by admirer of "David" statue: "How do you take a rough stone and make such beauty from it?"
Answer by Michelangelo Buonarotti: "I just carve away anything that isn't art."
Contributed by Atticus Madison
Atticus told us that this quote has also been attributed to other sculptors. If anyone can help resolve that please let me know.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. EDITOR’S NOTE
I hope to soon have ROCK TALK available in HTML so I can include pictures and diagrams to make the eNewsletter a little more enjoyable and less wordy. I see that I managed to get this to 8 pages. In the past two issues it has only been 6 pages and I was trying to keep it at that length. I hope the HTML versions will allow me to show you a picture rather than have to describe it.
Thanks again to all of you that wrote with comments regarding the content. It was good to hear from many of you regarding the article on textures. We also had a lot of responses related to the lightweight aerated concrete for sculpture. Seems that a lot of sculptors simply were not aware of it, its uses and the finishing options.
We only had one quote submitted, so congratulations to Atticus Madison who wins the $25 gift certificate.
As we continue our 30th year celebration we are looking forward to our next sculpture workshop season. Just a few last touches then it will be published. Everyone who gets this newsletter will receive first notice.
I still get clients asking if Marsha is still the owner. I have owned Montoya Sculpture & Supply now for just over three years. Montoya is such a well-known name in the industry that I am continuing to use the name.
Because you have given us your email you will soon receive an entry form to enter a free drawing for on of our 18th Season Sculpture Workshops. The value of the workshop is usually a $375 value. But I also include stone, and free equipment rental so the value climbs up to about $700. I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to enter. They are unique and interesting events.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
2. INTERVIEW WITH VINCE RICCI,
SCULPTOR AND MONTOYA TEACHER
Interview by Jeff Halverson (JH) with Vince Ricci (VR), by email August 19th, 2003
JH- Vince Please tell me little about what got you into sculpture?
VR- I have been doing sculpture since I was about ten years old. I was inspired by reading about Michelangelo, and seeing photos of his work. In addition, I always
seemed to like process and working with my hands.
JH- Please tell me about your education and teaching experience
VR-My art education and studies began in painting in CT. When I moved to NYC I enrolled at the Art Students League where I studied drawing and painting, and minored in sculpture. I entered the National Academy of Design in NYC. While there, I became the assistant to Malvina Hoffman and later, Donald De Lue. In 1965 I left the United States to study at the Ecole de Beaux Arts in Paris. The following year I was accepted at the Academie di Belli Arti in Rome. Here I studied with Emilio Greco, Pericles Fazzini and Giaccomo Manzu. I received a degree in sculpture. When I returned to the United States I moved to Boston and was a full-time instructor and Dean of Freshmen at the New England School of Design. I became a part time instructor at Boston University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Two years later I became a full time instructor of sculpture at BU and was responsible for developing core curriculum. After BU, I became a permanent staff member at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston where I continued teaching for 20 years. I have an MFA from Tufts University and an MA from Leslie College.
JH- For three years you have been conducting 3 and 4-day stone sculpture workshops at Montoya in West Palm Beach. The student evaluations come back with great comments about your approach. What do you try to accomplish with your participants?
VR-I think what I try to do is focus on instilling a love for the processes involved in sculpture, underlying technical foundations, and help students discover their unique imagery. I introduce myself as a professional artist and my own personal joy in my life as an artist and sculptor, seeking to personalize my contacts with students to create a special relationship.
JH- Tell me about a teacher, artist or event that most influences your teaching style.
VR- Through my relationship with Malvina Hoffman, who was the only American student of Rodin, I became deeply influenced by his work, and by Malvina’s deeply ethical and lofty standards of professionalism. Malvina’s efforts to further my education and assistance in getting placed at the Ecole di Beaux Arts in Paris was the most significant event in my learning processes, setting in motion a chain of events, which led me to Italy to study with several great Italian masters of sculpture.
JH- I know you have been conducting art and sculpture classes in Italy since 1984. Your website http://www.CFAeuroart.com is loaded with pictures of participants, the area, and some of your works. Besides the uniqueness of being in Umbria, Italy, in a country surrounded by art and its history, tell me what you consider unique about the location and program you conduct.
VR- The location is simply extraordinary, with panoramic views of the valleys and rolling hills surrounding the site. The location itself consists of a 16th century rustic farmhouse and equally rustic studio spaces. The environment is always inspirational, calm, peaceful, and private. Participants can focus on their work and studies, uninterrupted by the usual industrial clamor found in large cities or towns. The local community is friendly, helpful and the site is near both Panicale and Citta della Pieve that offer students opportunities for recreation and cultural events. The site is centrally located with easy travel to Florence, Rome and Perugia, and about 2 ½ hours to Petrasanta and Carrera.
JH- If you had to pick just one, what would be your favorite subject for sculpture and why?
VR- I have always been interested in figurative works, which I like to use to create works that reflect life cycles and significant events in life. I believe my interest is sparked by my own personal curiosity and need to understand human nature and our individual passage through life.
JH- Vince, what sculpture large or small, stone or metal remains to be done by you?
VR-At this point in my life, I have many sculptures to be done, both large and small, however, I seem to be more concerned with our future on this planet and the forces that we are confronted by. I would like to create a field of work that represents the inspirational struggle against negative forces that I feel humanity needs to engage. The works I wish to do are large and monumental in stone and other media. I feel this is a life’s work that is very inspiring to me.
A parting thought. Vince has been teaching in Italy (his 19th year) since June and will be returning to the United States at the end of September. He will be conducting a four-day workshop in November (see the next issue for actual dates). If you are in the area you might want to stop in for a slide show hosted by Vince. Italian wine and cheese will be served. He will be showing slides of Italy and the area where he teaches. It will be an interesting chance to meet Vince, even if you cannot attend his carving workshop.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3. SCULPTURE TOOL- THE VARIABLE SPEED ANGLE GRINDER
Angle grinders are used by stone carvers to cut, sand and polish stone. They are great time savers. In the following article I will discuss this important tool.
First of all I know that there are many carvers that work only with hand tools. I appreciate their skill and patience. Some prefer not to use power tools because of the noise or simply because power tools work too fast and its easy to get “carried away” cutting off stone that you really did not want to lose. There are also many carvers who enjoy the speed at which they can create when they use power tools. Power tools can include pneumatic and electric hammers, die grinders, angle grinders and even drills.
As mentioned above angle grinders are used to cut, sand and polish stone. They come in both pneumatic and electric versions, however the pneumatic versions rarely get over 3” diameter cutting blades. Angle grinders come in both variable speed and single speed. Single speed is the least expensive and that’s because you only get one speed. Run out to you local super-duper mega hardware store and you will probably find 8 to 12 on display. A single speed is acceptable as long as you have no need for the other potential applications I discuss below.
The variable speed models are more expensive because of the flexibility they offer. The last time I looked for a variable speed model at the super hardware store I did not find one. It’s easy to identify them because they have a speed control dial usually at the back to keep it as far as possible from the dust. And they are more expensive. This brings up an important feature to look for in your angle grinder, to keep out the dust look for a “dust sealed motor”.
So why do you want a variable speed angle grinder.
- CUTTING- These units usually come in models that fit cutting blades of 4”, 4-1/2” and 5”, (there are larger ones for deeper cuts but they get rather heavy). Set up with a diamond blade or a fiber mesh blade they can cut marble, calcite, alabaster and soapstone with ease. They can also be used on granite and basalt with the proper blade. The cutting I am describing is done dry, and usually in the higher speeds available, say 6000 to 10, 000 rpms. You get only about 1-1/2 “ to 2” of cut, but that is pretty good for a tool this light and flexible. But when you are cutting the right way you can move a lot of stone, especially harder stone. The technique often used is to make a series of parallel cuts about 3/8” to ¾” apart to the desired depth. This leaves you with a line of “piano keys” or fins. Then you can lightly knock them off using a hammer. Try it and you will see how nice it is to move lots of stone this way. Always use the blade at the recommended speed usually printed on the side of the blade.
- SANDING- (or grinding), Once you have the “fins” knocked off or just to further sculpt your stone the variable speed angle grinder really begins to pay for itself. Attach one of the different grits of ZEC disks and you are ready to take down those rough edges or to further contour your work. You will be making a lot of dust though so be sure you are still wearing your respirator, and eye protection and keep those earplugs on. ZEC disks are cheap, fairly long lasting, and come in “grits” of 16, 24, 50, 80, and 120. They are aggressive of course so they smooth the edges fast. Once you have worked your way through those you can switch to a soft backing pad and use adhesive backed sanding disks that I have seen in grits of 180, 220, 400, 600, and 1000 or 1200. As you get into the finer grits you need to be sure you are not working in one place too long or it will leave marks. You will probably want to hit it, by hand, with your high grit papers for a truly great look prior to polishing. Speed for the sanding phase is usually less than 8000 rpms but you have to experiment depending on the stone and grit. If the disk seems to be chattering try a slightly higher speed. I want to warn you that when you are using this angle grinder and these attachments don’t keep it too long in one place because it will heat the stone (particularly alabasters) and could “Cook” it. Keep the tool moving in a slow motion and let the areas worked cool down between passes. Remember in Issue 1, I told you about the White Italian Translucent Crystal alabaster that rings great. Well, this stone also is a good one that will cloud up or fog up if you sand too long in one place. I don’ t mean to say that the angle grinder should be moving back and forth fast, just keep it moving so it takes a layer off and move on before the stone heats up. Try a pass and touch the stone to get an idea of how it can heat up. You can also attach cup-grinding wheels to this tool. They are metal disks with slots cut in them in a radial fashion. The surface that contacts the stone is embedded with diamonds. They can be expensive but depending on how much you use them, worth the cost.
- POLISHING- Slip on a soft pad or bonnet, and either run it over an alabaster or marble compound and apply it to your work. You get a beautiful shine. Now this depends on the size of your work and you have to keep the speed down. Keep it moving lightly over the work. I usually like to polish by hand because it lets me feel the stone and detect any areas that need more work. Larger areas are great for this tool.
Some of the features you want to look for when shopping for a variable speed angle grinder is;
Weight-consider how long you will be using it in a session.
Guard- most units come with a guard or shield, but check that it is easily adjusted with out a tool. The guard not only protects you from the attachment spinning at 10,000-rpm s but also helps deflect dust
Motor-since you will be using the tool in a dusty environment be sure the motor comes with a dust sealed motor
Side handle-the side handle is used for control and stability. You want to be able to put it on either side of the tool because its location will depend on use and visibility in the particular application and you may be left handed
TIPS FOR USE
Safety and Personal Protection- Wear ear and breathing protection as well as eye protection.
Plan your work- Mark the stone where you want to cut. Take your time. This tool will save you a lot of time so take it slow.
Angle of attack- Keep the cutting or grinding face at the proper angle during your work
Cutting- When you cut start your cut at a point away from you and once the blade is in as deep as you want it pull the tool toward you. This gives you a lot of control. It you cut away from you the blade may ride up and the tool may try to run away from you.
Guard- Keep it on and adjust as needed (while the machine is off).
Fan- I like to place a cheap box fan to my side so it blows across my work and carries dust away from me. It also helps to keep me cool down here in Florida during the summer.
Blow out unit after use- I blow the dust off of and out of the tool after each use.
Clothing- Keep long sleeves rolled up and out of the way. You do not want to snag any loose clothing.
I am not going to mention my favorite variable speed angle grinder, but you can see it by visiting my website www.MontoyaSculpture.com under Power Tools SKU 20075. Shop around for a good unit and price. You probably can find the unit I carry at a lower price, but unfortunately I do not get the discounts the super mega hardware stores get when they buy truckloads. And then again they don’t write you these informative articles.
This is a great tool. It’s lightweight, easy to control, multi-purpose and a big, time saver.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
4. CURRENT SALE
The REAL SALE FOLLOWS but I wanted you to know that we sold out of the bush hammer I mentioned in the article on “textures” in Issue 2. Those of you who may be interested in this tool can place your order now as they will arrive in a week. The tool is SKU 08009 and has two ends to the hammer section, both with 16 small points. Its not a heavy tool, the head is only about 5” long and is about 3/8” square in cross section. It’s $24.95 and you can see a picture of it under Hammers in the on-line catalog. We still have some of the larger ones, and they are on sale below.
In case you did not receive it, we sent out a light blue colored sales card that is good through August 30. There are some good deals here. You have to call us
(1-800-682-TOOL (8665)) or fax us (1-561-833-2722) or email us to place an order for these specials. Our hours are Monday-Thursday 9-4, Saturday 10-3, closed Friday and Sunday. But you can call anytime and leave a message on our recorder. Or simply email us with your preliminary order AND phone number and we will call you to confirm everything.
#12201-10" Carbide Riffler $55.95 Sale $43.80
#12102- 8" - 8 PIECE 8" CARBIDE SET W/CANVAS $134.99 SALE $ 99.99
#14069- 8 PIECE 8" BASIC RIFFLER SET $29.95 SALE $19.95
#14068- 8 PIECE -10" BASIC RIFFLER SET $39.95 SALE $25.00
#14019,-20.-21 ITALIAN RIFFLER 12" $29.95 SALE $23.95 ea (this is a great deal)
#08007- 1" X1" BUSH HAMMER $45.95 SALE $32.95
#05011-05011B - DELUXE RESPIRATORS SM-M-LG $29.98 SALE $23.98
#48001-#48027- BUFFS -GOBLETS, BUFFS, & DISC ALL 20% OFF
LOWEST PRICES OF THE YEAR!! New shipment arriving
Savings from 20%-30% off selected stone
#01003- Mexican Green Reg$1.69 SALE $1.29 lb.
#01004- Mexican Raspberry Reg $1.69 SALE $1.29 lb
#01008- Root beer Alabaster Reg $1.69 SALE $1.29 b.
#01060A- Zebra Stripe B/W Reg $1.69 SALE $1.19 lb.
#01080- Harvest Alabaster Reg $1.89 SALE $1.39 lb
#02008- African Kiss Stone- Reg $2.10 SALE $1.60 lb
# 02013- Brazilian Brown soaps. Reg $1.65 SALE $1.35
#03002- Chlorite- Reg $1.89 Sale $1.49 lb.
#03004- Yellow translucent Calcite- Reg $2.25 SALE $1.50
#03006- Wonderstone- Reg $3.99 SALE $2.99
Sale ends August 30th.
We still have the stone from Zimbabwe. Remember we brought in 8 tons and we are down to about 2.5 tons. Still plenty of Black Serpentine and Springstone. 1.99/lb
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
5. UPCOMING EVENTS
Montoya’s 18th Season, Workshop & Class Schedule Nears Completion. I am preparing our class schedule for the upcoming season. I think you will enjoy the selection. Watch for some more interviews with our teachers in coming issues. See our last years schedule at http://www.montoyasculpture.com/workshops.html. You can also find area accommodations from this page. The closest hotel to us was The Sheraton. In case anyone wants to call them for reservations in the future the hotel is now a Marriott.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
6. PLEASE SEND SCULPTURE QUOTES (maybe win $25 gift certificate)
I have included a sculpture related quote at the top of this issue. I hope it is inspiring and interesting. If you have an interesting sculpture related quote please send it to me. Please include the name of the person who said it. All of the quotes that are sent are being compiled into a list of quotes related to sculpture that I will soon be posting on the Montoya website. I would appreciate your help in building this list of quotes directly related to sculpture. Quotes can be from recognized sculptors of the past or from a teacher or friend. Send me your sculpture related quote by September 10, and if it is selected I will send you a Montoya Sculpture & Supply $25 gift certificate and put the quote in the next issue. Email me at Jeff@MontoyaSculpture.com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
GIVE A GIFT TO A FRIEND OR ASSOCIATE:
If you know someone who might enjoy this free eNewsletter, feel free to forward it to them. We only ask that you please leave the entire newsletter intact. Thank you.
To subscribe visit: http://www.MontoyaSculpture.com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
(c)Copyright 2003 Jeff Halverson
We hope you will be joining us on a regular basis, but if you wish to be removed from our list, please email us at info@MontoyaSculpture.com
