Sandhill Crane Sculpture
August 2021: I’ve begun work on a life size sandhill crane sculpture made from scrap metal and cutlery. This is a commission piece for a couple’s 25th anniversary! This blog post will show the progress as start from the ‘ground up’ with the feet and legs, and then build the body.
LATEST IMAGE: June 11, 2022 Complete!! I’m very happy about how this turned out! 😀 View more final images here.
August 16, 2021: I have a start on the first leg! I started rebar and welded to it to create the texture.
And with a bit more welding, I have both of the legs done and can weld them together!
Here’s a closer look at the feet:
September 14, 2021: After a short break to get things together for my new welding shop. I’m back on it as the big bird gets a body!
Once I had the framework and base plates in place for the body, I was able to start adding ‘feathers’. There’s a reason I’m always looking for cheap cutlery at the flea markets! 😀
September 16, 2021: Another long night in the welding s September 19, 2021 Last night I made some adjustments and my crane went on a bit of diet and got a little taller. It’s hard to see scale as I build, and once it was all together, changes were needed – BUT – I’m on track now, and “just” have to add the head and the wings! 😀
May 15, 2022: After a busy season I was back on the sandhill crane sculpture and have made the head!
June 2, 2022: I had a lot of research to work on before building the wings, but I got a start on them last night! 😀
June 3, 2022: I have one wing almost done! Just a few more feathers to add! 😀
June 5, 2022: I took the crane outside to see some daylight and got some photos of the progress! One more wing to get done!
July 13, 2022: “Oneida” the Sandhill Crane Sculpture migrated a few miles north and is now at home overlooking at garden! I love how the colors reflect and add a new dimension to the work.
