Patricia Shiplett is the artist contracted to the Blaine Lake Centennial Monument project scheduled to be unveiled at the town celebrations Aug., 2012.
The monument is a 10-foot structure consisting of eight wheat sheaves placed strategically in the form of a Western stook. Shiplett was busy at her cottage north of North Battleford when I stopped in for a progress report. She had just finished grinding a rod that will be used as a wheat stalk.
The use of steel for fine art sculpture is becoming more common because of its durability and its ability to lend itself to large-scale work. This specific piece rewards itself to hand detailing as well.
Shiplett has been busy preparing the stainless steel flat metal bars measuring 6 feet by inch by inch prior to fabrication and colouring. Stainless steel is not only rust-resistant but is also a bit harder and tougher than most unhardened steels.
A handheld power right-angle grinder is fitted with a high grade grinding wheel enabling Shiplett to rough grind the rod surface leaving it looking heavily scratched, while the rough edges of the rod are smoothed out blending it in with the surrounding metal. Eight hundred individual pieces representing 400 stalks will be attached to laser-cut wheat heads measuring inch thick by 1 foot long. For the past three months Shiplett has been working steadily preparing the stainless steel pieces.
When the rods were cut to length, it created a twist in the metal making it more unique and organic as well as life-like.
The wheat heads have been cut from sheets of stainless metal with a water-jet cutting machine. The intricate detail cut-outs are identical reproductions of a wheat head.
As the stalks and wheat heads began to take shape, Shiplett re-evaluated the structure and realized her assembly plans required altering to accommodate the weight of the structure.
"It made more sense to have additional strength at the base providing more stability to the overall structure," explained Shiplett demonstrating her idea with the prepared steel rods bundled together resembling a stook and outlining the base in the sand.
Once the wheat head is welded onto the top end of the stalk, the stalk will be reinforced to a stainless steel base 3/8 inch thick. Additional welds will be made within the structure making it more solid. Welding is the prime method of putting pieces of stainless steel together. TIG welding will be the technique used in this project.
The use of a crane and forklift will be imperative to ensure the structure is installed properly.
All these processes are self-taught. Her outdoor studio, sheltered between two buildings overlooking the lake, provides the ideal atmosphere to encourage her creative juices to flow.
The monument is scheduled for unveiling in Blaine Lake in August 2012.
