Reflections on the Upton Blues Festival and Upcoming TIG welding Projects

A Journey of Recovery

I returned from the Upton Blues Festival feeling a bit worse for wear after four days of drinking and fast food. To reset my body, I decided to embark on a 72-hour fast. I only managed 49 hours, but I feel so much better for it. This week has been productive, and I’ve accomplished a lot.

Welding Challenges and New Projects

Before heading to the festival, I paused my work on the new Dragon project. The heat made it too uncomfortable for welding all day. However, I believe this will turn into a fantastic winter warmer project.

I have also started on a smaller Eternal Flame sculpture. This has proven to be quite a challenge. I initially thought that creating a half-sized tower would be easier, but it turned out to be quite tricky. The tower has a twist that I actually like, so I’ve decided to keep it.

Precision in Smaller Flames

I have welded two of the flames, and they turned out well. I had to ensure they were as close to perfect as possible. The smaller the flames, the less room there is for movement. Any distortion would be catastrophic. I used the same thickness steel as I did for the larger version, making it harder to form the tighter curves.

The curves were too tight for my homemade ring bender, so I had to revert to old-school methods. I used a stake and a hammer to shape them.

Capping the Tower

Another challenge is that the tower will be below head height. This means you will be able to see inside the tower, so I need to cap it. My first attempt at forming a cap failed and ended up in the scrap bin. To make matters worse, my second-hand ancient sandbag split and started leaking sand.

Fortunately, my second attempt was successful. I cut a curve into the end of a 4 x 4 post and used it as a former, which worked much better. The cap is now ready for welding.

Upcoming Installations

I have the two larger flames cut and ready to weld, which I plan to do next week. Additionally, I have started a medium-sized sculpture that is entirely new to me.

Next week, I will be delivering and installing three sculptures at Shaw House for the Altered States Sculpture exhibition. I am excited about this opportunity.

I have also secured a spot for Celestial Fury at CarFest. There’s a lot to prepare for this event. We need to arrive two days before the festival to install Celestial Fury, and then return the Monday after to dismantle it. If I can fit everything in the camper, I hope we can stay over after the installation and then take it home at the end of the festival.

Preparing for CarFest

I started laser marking a for-sale sign for the stand, along with some do-not-touch signs. I also need to create a risk assessment and fill out numerous forms.

I am looking forward to using the two free tickets to CarFest and seeing Seasick Steve perform. This is another tick off my bucket list!

Silvi and I are also heading to the Hot Rod Hayride at the beginning of August for three days.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the past week has been a whirlwind of activity. From recovering after the festival to tackling new projects, I feel rejuvenated and ready for the challenges ahead. I’m excited about the upcoming exhibitions and events, and I look forward to sharing my progress with you all.