Hitting Things...

Using a polished hammer and a piece of oak, with a depression carved into it, you can create interesting forms out of aluminium sheet; the technique is called sinking and to finish it of you planish it, this hardens the material and creates a beautiful dappled surface. This kind of work is very rewarding and therapeutic, (says alot about my state of mind at the moment, that I find joy in hitting things!). I can pound the metal for hours, allowing the material to guide me and the subsequent forms are always surprising. Sinking, raising and planishing are an art form. I need to practice more and pass on the technique, to see that it doesn't disappear.

g.