Documenting the Process…

As I continue to look through Rick’s records and documents one of the things I ran across was a series of photos outlining the process of making one of his pieces. Erupting Lava Flow is a piece that Rick did step by step process shots for. Interesting and a window into how detailed and immersed in the creation process he was.

How interesting the creation of daiza construction. You start with a stone and the idea of what will bring balance and present and show the already impressive piece of nature. Then moving past the vision to the actual work of construction. As it’s outlined here…

1 - Glue profile and cut inside of wall.

2 - Use brad point to drill out stone placement.

3 - Variable depth improves chisel work.

Each woodworker has his or her own process and what they like to use for the process of creation. But many of the steps are consistant aross artisans. Mastery over process and particulars of each artist adds variety and creativity, making each piece even more unique because of the hands that are doing the crafting.

4 - Use 1/2” chisel to remove remains.

5 - Use gouge to smooth setting.

6 - Test fit and use gouge to get proper fit.

As the piece takes shape there are continual checks and balances. Always using the stone as a guide and working to stay true to the vision as it takes its form.

7 - Mark outer wall and cut with saw.

8 - Use chisel or router to cut inner wall.

9 - Cut bottom for total height.

Wood and stone are such different mediums in many ways but a perfect match in others and the final steps speak to those differences too.

10 - Always overfill as filler is soft.

11 - Dark stain inside to “hide” lack of finishing, light out to show wood grain and add color.

(Side note, I do not find much of this in Rick’s pieces. A few yes, but not many. I think that this is a tecnique that he did not employ with consistancy but more as needed based on the piece he was working with and the wood stability. Also the final fit of the piece.)

12 - Spray finish in this coats works well if you keep area clean.

The finished piece as shown in the photo was not the final daiza that this piece has. Rick sometimes took a piece from art conception to finish and then reimagined the piece in another light for various reasons. So it is with this piece. Creativity and learning from the feel and process. Never time wasted, always worth the work and creative process to see where the final piece will take you.