Limestone Block for the American Lion comes to the studio

I purchased the block for the American Lion from Indiana Limestone company.  Here it is - all 40,000 lbs of it- on a Stonebelt Freightlines truck which is out of Bloomington, Indiana.



At 40,000 lbs. this stone is a full load for this truck.






The crane operator and rigger from Padgett Cranes of New Albany, IN set up the block of the crane with a four part line.  These are metal cables and the set up - 2 part line, 4 part line will vary according to the what is being lifted and how much it weighs.   This is a seventy ton crane which is pretty big, but that is a big rock. 



This is looking up through the jib of the crane which is a way to extend it's reach.

The stone has been rigged up and is ready to be lifted. 






The stone comes off the truck and is set on the ground.







The stone then needs to be stood up on end.  A clevis is used to connect the nylon slings to wire cables which will give a lot more length.



The cables are fairly aggressive and can catch on the corners of the block so sections of carpet are placed under the nylon slings. 



The stone is then leveled.

Big block ready to carve....

and so the carving begins.  To watch this video follow this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI7mt1YLKF4

Lake Eola memories and a new project far north of Florida..

The stroll around Lake Eola affords many views of the Orlando skyline as well as lots of wildlife, such as this black swan.

I believe this striking bird is a anhinga or snake bird.  A diving bird, it pursues its prey underwater, but its wings become waterlogged and it is unable to fly.  It strikes this characteristic pose in order to dry it's wings.

A squirrel has found a snack is heady home with its treasure.

Live Oaks surround Lake Eola.  They're my favorite tree.

This is John Perrone and his wife Mary.  John is the manager at Lake Eola.  He was great to work with and made the job go much easier. 

I


Robert Petty and Lula Marshall also work at Lake Eola and I got to know them pretty well - I was there for days carving on the Muse and helping with the earthwork and plantings.  They were a lot of fun and a big help.  I got to know a number of people while I was at Lake Eola and everyone was really nice.  I have a special feeling for Lake Eola and everyone I met there.  It was like no other experience I've ever had.




I worked on the Muse for days and became acquainted with many locals who frequented the park.



This is a model of my next commission.  It is an American Lion  which existed during the ice age - it was the largest cat that ever lived. The sculpture wll be carved from a block of limestone measuring
9'H x 6'W x 4-6"D  weighing 20 tons.  This sculpture will take me far from my last sculpture installtion in Florida to....

Anchorage Alaska, at the University of Alaska Anchorage.  This is a photo of the site (the site is way over to the right side) was taken by the crane operator when he went out to look at where sculpture will be placed.