![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKd6vZCmH4qJNCs8Mk1RJ7IDp4yiymBfIuljMPafqCwOoh1SdORtqmg4-7u3sKpWFGkTHgvOStHuyfAUpKoyIBy1StjgLbogkAqlqSFTZRkaKrP01vZZhot1pkD4ky2pvIamtDXN1iQs/s400/PNG+Dime.png)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9a8MEco-HQVK0YYG8izVeSKsiHw1cs5rX-qNFwVicDs3Kt8ZhiVSiE1rp0Ahzctx5F5G5PlfAPYN2vVy7RdkfC8gXRqm8AMewQUuduWCklkt5R1XefZV9F6gW-UPnLKbZR36EqHRO9Sk/s400/TOP+VIEW.png)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIrYIlUIpqVy9I1gYkf1giYR7HCdau2BifBkgZ4cPf33ot9nd2blvWHKP-K0nsEvt-F3vmJGYAqcZrbO0bpBn0IgDILE7szGI1OLPZWHXcB1mhtwKQhmoeQ_DKUssFeFxgLHKVIssO8M/s400/Close+up.png)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WHnbpSTky_thmLMwkxc442tNOJOr12v0mhSR_2XZg_7peo260P4AYIbcCaliDnPm7htFmHilaatczWIVdHvyghUqjY21NYjSB48jx23CcOGRU-B1DtLog5ZoXc4lXV_CGwhEC-IBqsg/s400/signature.png)
DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR In soapstone. Roughly 6" (15 cm) X 6" (15 cm) X 9" (23 cm)
Approximately three months ago I decided that I'd rather carve than write. I had a stroke a year ago tomorrow and writing was good motor skills therapy but I don't really enjoy it very much. I know that finding any Tanzanian Meerschaum to carve was beyond my means so I found some soapstone for sale on line and when it arrived I set up a temporary studio in the dining room.
After about two months of roughing work I thought I might try doing the arches in the Coliseum. Well, I got carried away and realized, too late, that since I've got so much heavy work yet to do around it I was making it too fragile . The finished walls will be less than 1/16" thick. No irreversible damage yet but I've had to completely encase it in candle wax until the rest of DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR is all done. Then I can finish the Coliseum.
But I was encouraged. My stamina is up to about three and a half hours total in two sessions. My right arm is still pretty spastic and wearing a magnifying visor is hard on my neck.
As you can see I've just barely started the Great Wall of China and I haven't even started the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris and the Moai head from Easter Island. I have finished roughing out the Ziggurat and Pyramid. This shot doesn't show the partly roughed out Mayan pyramid temple. In the far corner will be a three inch tall me carving my signature in the base.
With your skill and vision, I believe the more you carve, the better it will be. Amazing and wondrous work. Wondrous both on your end, and about we humans. Wonder in two senses; that of mystified admiration and also...curiosity about your/our spectacular ambitions. A round of applause for you.
ReplyDeleteI just finished The Count of Monte Cristo, in which a critical scene takes place inside the Colosium, under a full moon. Felt like being there, thanks to A. Dumas. Good luck with those delicate walls!