First bronze casting

 Based on the premise of childhood events and the idea of awards badges, the next project was to teach us about casting.  Our specific casting would be made out of bronze. Below you will find images of my initial sketches, my wax carvings and then one final piece. I did work on and finish two pieces during this project although upon final reflection I think trying to make two pieces worked against me.

 This ER broccoli badge is an award of bravery for my son.  When he was about 3 years old, he reached up onto a counter trying to get hold of a basket of fresh picked broccoli.  He accidentally caused a glass canning to come crashing down.  It shattered and he got a deep cut in his foot.  I washed his foot and bandaged the cut.  However, at bath time I noticed the cut was deeper than I thought and I began to worry about the possibility of glass being stuck deep in his foot.  So, worried as I was, I took him to the ER where he was patient and calm and got him all cleaned up and glued shut.  They suggested the possibility of giving him one stitch but I thought the super glue sounded like a far easier solution.

 The second piece, which was more focused on me and some unresolved issues is pictured below.  It wasn't my original idea but I ended up sort of working through this idea that many people are like alligators.  In this I mean that they seem steady and docile on the surface but they are deadly dangerous and simply lying in wait to take advantage of those not paying attention.  Of course I do nit believe all people are like this but I did have some unpleasant childhood experiences that involved some people who were like this.  Also, having grown up in Florida, I have a deep respect and love for alligators.  These two feelings about alligators came together in this project.

Here you can see the broccoli and the alligator all sprued up and ready for investing.

These enamelled copper pieces, which are on the pin plate for the alligator badge, represent the innocence of childhood.  For many young girls, dolls and teddy bears and bows are quintessential.  For me they evoke a sense of hope, happiness and joy.  You can see that the enamel is cracked on some of the pieces, this can give clues to the meaning behind this piece which deals with loss of innocence.

The final piece brings in my love of beads.  I made the netted ribbon with glass beads from Murano, Italy, that were gifted to be my Aunt.  She is someone I have always felt close to and when I am with her I feel safe, even to this day.  I am lucky that between innocence and loss of innocence I had not only her but a "net" of people around me to remind me how good life is.