adopted – Skunkadelia https://skunkadelia.com Steel Sculptures of Friendly Robots Sun, 31 Dec 2023 19:09:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://skunkadelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/cropped-skunkadelia-favicon-1-32x32.gif adopted – Skunkadelia https://skunkadelia.com 32 32 Opal i247 https://skunkadelia.com/works/opal/ Sat, 25 Nov 2023 22:39:35 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11728 Opal's hands took a whole day to create - it was a day of great joy. Note the slightly bent up pinky and ring finger of her right hand, shaped to contour the leg it's to rest upon.[/caption] The hand's that were made for opal may be the most expressive part of the sculpture; carefully created from square punch blanks from an ironworker, mated with ten small bits of a stainless steel bicycle spoke. Stainless is even tougher to bend and form just right than mild steel, and great care with the TIG torch was used to weld them on just so, without melting other fingers off in the intense heat affected zone. Needless to say I did not successfully perform the procedure ten times in a row, but perseverance and learning from setbacks helped to pave the way to eventual success. Opal's torso is a copper plumbing flange which sat waiting for decades in a metal box amongst other precious 'maybe someday' parts that are beloved and are reserved for just the right occasion. The whisky-brown tint was an unexpected result of the polyurethane coating discoloring from the heat - which came from a post-birthday touch-up weld, which the copper absorbed like only copper can. The colors looked so rich that I opted to add an additional coat of polyurethane layer rather than clearing it off with acetone. [caption id="attachment_11770" align="alignnone" width="1900"] Opal's arms were made with some bolts, a hacksaw, some files, a sturdy vise, and great deal of moxie.[/caption] Opal's arms started out as average threaded bolts. They were extensively hand filed to mimic the shape of a human arm, sanded, finished, and adorned with little bronze buttons. A full range of finishing techniques were used throughout the piece. I got lost in the process: musing about shapes to make, fussing over the tiniest of details with my magno-spectacles, and ooh-ing and ah-ing over cool looking stray file marks. I felt like some kind of eccentric cavalier watchmaker gone mad, toiling for hours on this magic little thing. [caption id="attachment_11772" align="alignnone" width="1585"] Opal's birthday. If you could zoom in enough you would find tears of joy in my reflection in her shiny metal knees.[/caption] After many hours of working and re-working all the little parts and pieces to be just so, and connecting all the perfect little pieces together to also be just so, Opal had her first sit-down as a complete piece on the edge of my weld bench. As tradition dictates, I rang the big bell above my work bench, and then took a break for a few minutes. These few minutes help me 'reset' my mind so I can try to experience my work with a fresh 'first impression'. This can allow space for a near-end critique of the piece. When I did this 'reset' with Opal, I had moment of absolute head-buzzing joy. To me, Opal is nothing short of the culmination of a lifetime pursuit of pushing art through craft to create something meaningful from the mundane - even if it is only to remind people to smile and be happy. She is iconic in my pursuit to elevate my art as well as my craft, and I will always hold this one very dear to my heart. 1 lb, 3.6 oz. 7.5 x 3 x 3.5"]]> Ozz n426 https://skunkadelia.com/works/ozz/ Sat, 25 Nov 2023 22:04:49 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11726 wheeled robots can roll. His dome head had been masquerading as a stainless measuring spoon before reaching its final form - the 'nose' of Ozz is all that's left of the handle. I connected this spoon-head to the 'spinal' bolt by drilling a hole on the top of the dome, plug-welding it to the bolt, then filing and finishing out the top so to be smooth again. Machinists may relate to the folly that ensued when trying to coax a starter drill-bit to keep from spiraling off the top of the dome with nothing but a laser-guided bench-top drill press, a Starrett starter punch, some EZ tap, and a lot of please please please. But the deed is done and victory feels good. Ozz is particularly proud of the smart little bronze buttons on his chest - you'll have to use your imagination as to what function they may perform at any given moment. He also has a little 'duck tail' handle on the back of his head that can be used to animate his head, which rotates left to right, but not all the way around. The lower part of the handle serves as a stop for the head rotation - which means he can't see behind himself very well, but he's got great hearing and can turn around quickly. The neck joint is fairly loose so his head can bob around a bit, which gives him some playful character animation possibilities. I like to think of Neutrino class robots to be the robot companions for the rest of my robots. Ozz is quite capable in that role, but can also take on solo missions with grace and determination. 1 lb, 14.5 oz. 3 x 2.5 x 2.25"]]> Houston M424 https://skunkadelia.com/works/houston/ Wed, 13 Sep 2023 21:28:40 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11604 What Makes an Astrobot an Astronaut? While I've never thought of my robots as 'not having clothes', I didn't think of them having clothes either. The idea of adding an additional layer without having the robot appear bulkier turned out to be one of those simple solutions to a problem that requires a greater share of soul searching - as well as steel parts searching - than even the most experienced and nuanced mind of a master junk metal sculptor could have anticipated. I found the answer in one of my metal ammo cans: [caption id="attachment_11664" align="alignnone" width="1900"]a collection of neatly arranged metal boxes, one of which is labelled 'spring' A noble use for surplus military ammo cans - metal boxes for metal parts.[/caption] I tend not to use springs in my work - not because they aren't a good aesthetic component to use, but because spring steel loses a good deal of it's strength when heated with a welding torch. My solution to this was to rely on the rods placed inside the springs for the strength needed to hold this heavy bot together. This worked out well since I was looking to have the spring be the outer protective layer to the arms and legs underneath.

Rethinking the robot joints for space travel

When crafting a robot from a limited collection of steel bits and bobs, limited choices can lead to a more impressionistic approach for the interfaces of critical joints such as hips and shoulders. A robot can have more loosely defined gaps, which give them their playful robotic feel. This tried-and-true technique wasn't holding up with this piece: A spacesuit is vacuum tight - which lead me to reimagining new ways to connect arms and legs to the torso. I needed to rethink my methods and push towards a more seamless interface between all parts so the suit looked space-worthy. Fortunately for me, a long-distance fan from St. Cloud, Minnesota has been sending me heavy packages filled with lots of amazing steel pieces: amongst the parts were a set of baoding balls - which happened to fit perfectly into the opening of the vintage bicycle hub used for the torso. As an added bonus, this means that when you shake the robot it chimes.

The robot torso

I used a very special bike hub for the torso: a Sears three-speed bicycle hub made in Austria in 1964 - complete with a port once used to for internal gear lubrication - something to add to the spacesuit vibe. It was the only 'torso' in my collection that looked right. It polished up very nicely except where the chrome has flaked off. These imperfections are what I love about old steel parts - they give the spaceman some 'mileage' - looks like he's had many adventures already!

Dropping the Shield and Striking the Arc

It was fun having lots of a-ha moments to formulate an overall plan, but after a while I needed to strike that welding arc and go from the planning stage and into the preparing stage, to the actual making part. The transition was not as cut and dry: I was constantly rethinking solutions to problems that I didn't feel were resolved, swapping some parts for others, and sometimes omitting things I once thought important to the piece. It was slow going, but good things take time and careful consideration, along with a fair share of refinement and rework now and then.

The Space Helmet

The helmet took some time and patience. Getting the robot's eyes as close to the head was very important in order the stainless tubing scrap end to fit on his head. This is the second piece of mine to have reimagined smaller eyes, which gives my newest robots a more human look. This makes it possible for me to be able to sleeve the stainless tube over the head after a bit of grinding the nut to become the cranium. I designed and built the helmet to use a disc shaped rare-earth magnet so it can firmly connect with the astronaut's head, firmly enough so that if you twist the helmet, the head twists with it. Having a magnet on the inside of the helmet also means the astronaut can hold it in either hand. While I'm reluctant to have my art be able to separate into pieces, I felt this one needed to be one of those rare exceptions. I carefully cut the visor hole using a drill press, hacksaw, and dremel tool, then cleaned the edges with a file and sandpaper. Welding the helmet pieces together gave the helmet a nice bit of color in the heat-affected zone - I used the same torch technique to soften the visor edge. I realized when the piece was completed that the helmet could be worn backwards to make the astronaut look like an alien.

The Space Pack

The backpack consists of three very solid blocks of tool steel of enough mass to have a significant shift in the center of gravity - so the Astronaut must lean forward to compensate. I calibrate my welding bench each time a make a robot, so all my pieces start of on level ground, and therefore are as stable as can be. All major parts must be connected before the balancing act takes place, and a solid steel pack causes a significant shift in center mass. I usually the feet get connected near the end of the construction process regardless, but I was concerned this astronaut would lose it's impression of near-weightlessness.

A heavy robot that's light on it's (low gravity) feet

Sculptures made from solid steel tend to be very heavy - an aspect that works well to give the figure a sense of real weight. Normally this works in my favor, but I wanted this piece to seem almost ready to float. I welded hidden 'heels' in the centers of his feet at a severe angle, then cut pieces of scrap 4130 tubing I had laying around from my latest bicycle tallbike project to cover the feet. I was very pleased with how the toe boxes covered gaps and gave a seamless look. I decided to continue the motif to fill in the small gaps between the springs used for the arms and legs. This method of cutting specific fill shapes out of tubing is a evolutionary breakthrough and will most likely be used in some future pieces.

The final touches - finihshing

I've been finishing metal since the year 1998. This astronaut was finished with multiple techniques using a polishing wheel, abrasive pads, emery, and even some semi-purposeful blemishing during construction to help add to the backstory, such as the dent on the top of the helmet made by my beloved antique vise.

Apollo, we have a problem…

As the piece slowly progressed towards completion a couple of names came to mind, but the one that felt right was Apollo - certainly a fitting name for an Astrobot astronaut. I stamped the boilerplate and delicately welded the thin-gauge copper sheet to the solid block of tool steel - not an easy feat for even the most experienced TIG welder. This trick acts a bit like my signature, but it doesn't always go smoothly as the copper absorbs heat quickly and can blow a hole very easily. The three copper boilerplates for this piece affixed without incident - however, when I opened my baby name book to log the serial number, I discovered that I haven't completely memorized all four-hundred plus names I've chosen. Apollo M323 was made back in 2017 - almost exactly 100 Skunkadelic robots ago, almost exactly six years apart from this new piece. A neat coincidence, but I felt this new one needs his own name. I knocked off the old boilerplate with a hammer and steel punch, and renamed the boy Houston. [caption id="attachment_11663" align="alignnone" width="1900"]A piece of copper labelled 'Apollo', bent and discolored The original name tag of Astrobot M424 after being knocked off the pack with a chisel and metalworking hammer[/caption] In the bicycle chopper gang I founded back in 1996, I chose the name Skunk, but I came very close to choosing the name 'Houston' for myself, as we're sci-fi themed and I thought it would be a fitting name for the founder and leader. In retrospect, that name may have been a wiser choice than 'Skunk'. This piece is very personal for me - as one who spends a great deal of time pretending I'm having space adventures with my friends. I find the connection poetic. My mantra for this piece was "If it's not perfect, it's not good enough". This makes for great art, and for some euphoric times, but also requires a lot of rethinking, a lot of time, and sometimes rework. In the end, I hope to have 'gone where no one has gone before', by making something unique in the universe.]]> Hoho P423 https://skunkadelia.com/works/hoho/ Fri, 07 Jul 2023 15:24:13 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11540 The Silver Wings The wings of Hoho once belonged to a silver eagle pin - until I cut it's head off! I also removed the backing pin, trimmed the tail feathers down, and drilled a hole for the machine screw. The pin was in a small collection of charms, necklaces, pins, and other similar items offered by the client as an option for me to include in the piece. Silver can't be welded to steel, but I was able to find the right bolt for the threaded grease port on the hub. It's nice to be able to take them on and off, and the silver is a nice touch against the copper and old chromed steel. The name 'Hoho' is a mash-up of the two last names of the couple who commissioned me to make this beautiful robot as an anniversary celebration gift. Hoho was an absolute pleasure to make. I took my time and enjoyed every moment of the build process. I wanted to give it my all for my comeback piece and I'm satisfied with the results.

Parts List

1950's vintage coaster brake bicycle hub, large nut, two three-speed bicycle gear rings, removable silver wings two hose faucet handles, two large square nuts, four carriage bolts, bicycle headset lock ring, ten three-speed bicycle pawls, quick release axle, seven ball bearings, seventeen lock nuts, eight bicycle chain plates, four flooring nails, nineteen washers, hardware, copper, bronze. 13 x 6 x 3" 3 lbs, 8oz.

Related Links

Proteus Class Care and Maintenance]]> Geoff c422 https://skunkadelia.com/works/geoff-c422/ Thu, 28 Apr 2022 22:57:44 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11420 Java c420 https://skunkadelia.com/works/java/ Tue, 22 Mar 2022 22:07:22 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11406 Cee c419 https://skunkadelia.com/works/cee/ Tue, 22 Mar 2022 21:50:28 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11395 Veebee c418 https://skunkadelia.com/works/veebee/ Tue, 22 Mar 2022 21:05:16 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11385 Python c417 https://skunkadelia.com/works/python/ Tue, 08 Mar 2022 23:50:44 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11366 Pascal c416 https://skunkadelia.com/works/pascal/ Tue, 08 Mar 2022 23:00:15 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11355 Moon a421 https://skunkadelia.com/works/moon/ Thu, 10 Feb 2022 23:08:27 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11341 Pinto i415 https://skunkadelia.com/works/pinto/ Thu, 10 Feb 2022 21:59:39 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11331 Lila d413 https://skunkadelia.com/works/lila/ Sat, 05 Feb 2022 22:46:45 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11320 Bo n414 https://skunkadelia.com/works/bo/ Sat, 05 Feb 2022 21:55:35 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11312 Button n412 https://skunkadelia.com/works/button/ Thu, 13 Jan 2022 17:49:48 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11293 seventeen ball bearings inside Button's head seventeen ball bearings inside Button's head[/caption] Button has seventeen loose ball bearings in his head cavity, so if you shake him he makes a rattling sound. [video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://skunkadelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/button-shake.mp4"][/video]]]> Haskell c411 https://skunkadelia.com/works/haskell/ Mon, 10 Jan 2022 16:51:02 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11276 Rebop m409 https://skunkadelia.com/works/rebop/ Tue, 04 Jan 2022 23:52:29 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11263 Nahamani j410 https://skunkadelia.com/works/nahamani/ Sat, 18 Dec 2021 20:10:13 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7945 Hollis m408 https://skunkadelia.com/works/hollis/ Sun, 14 Nov 2021 17:34:38 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11129 Augusta m407 https://skunkadelia.com/works/augusta/ Tue, 02 Nov 2021 20:06:42 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11113 Boyd c406 https://skunkadelia.com/works/boyd/ Thu, 07 Oct 2021 17:51:48 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=11092 Trev C405 https://skunkadelia.com/works/trev-c405/ Thu, 10 Jun 2021 14:01:56 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7925 Mima i403 https://skunkadelia.com/works/mima-i403/ Thu, 06 May 2021 21:10:08 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7935   Mima has a waist that spins counter-clockwise from above, but not the other way around. This, along with her neck, allows for her to dance and pose in interesting ways.]]> Jax n404 https://skunkadelia.com/works/jax-n404/ Thu, 06 May 2021 19:33:48 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7927 Billie c401 https://skunkadelia.com/works/billie/ Fri, 12 Mar 2021 02:33:33 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7903 Colby c400 https://skunkadelia.com/works/colby/ Wed, 10 Mar 2021 16:58:49 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7892 Janis m399 https://skunkadelia.com/works/janis/ Wed, 24 Feb 2021 17:54:21 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7871 Silver i398 https://skunkadelia.com/works/silver/ Thu, 04 Feb 2021 15:56:13 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7733 Pal n397 https://skunkadelia.com/works/pal/ Wed, 06 Jan 2021 16:58:28 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7617 Kate i396 https://skunkadelia.com/works/kate-i396/ Wed, 30 Dec 2020 16:51:20 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7584 Bee n395 https://skunkadelia.com/works/bee/ Tue, 29 Dec 2020 16:57:45 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7303 Abbot J m394 https://skunkadelia.com/works/abbot-j/ Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:37:05 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7307 The Story of Abbot J Read about the genesis of Abbot J in this post entitled The Golden Epaulets of Abbot J.]]> Storey i392 https://skunkadelia.com/works/storey/ Fri, 04 Dec 2020 03:26:00 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7316 Devo c391 https://skunkadelia.com/works/devo/ Tue, 17 Nov 2020 22:50:07 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=7257 Devo-inspired art Devo-inspired art by @annetsirk[/caption]]]> Ardea m390 https://skunkadelia.com/works/ardea/ Thu, 29 Oct 2020 16:20:28 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6815 Allen m388 https://skunkadelia.com/works/allen/ Thu, 16 Jul 2020 20:21:22 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6676 Sassy c389 https://skunkadelia.com/works/sassy/ Wed, 15 Jul 2020 15:39:49 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6674 Nile m387 https://skunkadelia.com/works/nile/ Sat, 27 Jun 2020 01:17:09 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6636 Beamer a386 https://skunkadelia.com/works/beamer/ Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:57:56 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6480 Axel n383 https://skunkadelia.com/works/axel/ Thu, 16 Apr 2020 22:00:20 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6434 ]]> Bernard p384 https://skunkadelia.com/works/bernard/ Thu, 16 Apr 2020 21:11:30 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6126 ]]> Calder d377 https://skunkadelia.com/works/calder/ Tue, 14 Apr 2020 19:13:51 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6401 Bicycle coaster brake hub, two bicycle axles, threaded rod, two bicycle stem wedge nuts, bicycle coaster brake washer, two bicycle coaster brake parts, two three-speed bicycle hub gears, two ball bearings, bicycle spokes, bolt, nut, machine screw, copper, bronze
Serial number 191220D377
10.5 x 3 x 1.75
1 lb., 7 oz
]]> Star i381 https://skunkadelia.com/works/star/ Sat, 04 Apr 2020 21:13:30 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6386 Joy c380 https://skunkadelia.com/works/joy/ Tue, 31 Mar 2020 17:27:09 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6364 Emma m385 https://skunkadelia.com/works/emma/ Thu, 12 Mar 2020 18:53:37 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6358 Ivo a379 https://skunkadelia.com/works/ivo/ Sun, 16 Feb 2020 20:26:24 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6341 Nash c378 https://skunkadelia.com/works/nash/ Sun, 15 Dec 2019 01:12:27 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6298 Zilpha m382 https://skunkadelia.com/works/zilpha/ Sun, 15 Dec 2019 01:12:02 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6297 Isabella m376 https://skunkadelia.com/works/isabella/ Fri, 06 Dec 2019 04:05:07 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6225 Cricket c375 https://skunkadelia.com/works/cricket/ Wed, 04 Dec 2019 18:27:46 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6206 Johnny ∞ m367 https://skunkadelia.com/works/johnny-infinity/ Tue, 03 Dec 2019 06:41:28 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6199 Smooch d374 https://skunkadelia.com/works/smooch-2/ Tue, 03 Dec 2019 06:17:13 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6191 Oberon i373 https://skunkadelia.com/works/oberon/ Wed, 27 Nov 2019 05:57:05 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6181 Xavia i372 https://skunkadelia.com/works/xavia/ Fri, 15 Nov 2019 04:11:57 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6144 Dyanna t368 https://skunkadelia.com/works/dyanna/ Wed, 13 Nov 2019 04:07:49 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6130 A Somernovian Story: Skunkadelia & Dyanna from Somernova on Vimeo. Dyanna was a commissioned piece to be the icon of fearless innovation for Somernova. She is located just outside my studio space at the Artisan's Asylum. She loves to have her picture taken with folks who come and visit her. [caption id="attachment_6137" align="alignnone" width="703"] A steel heart was placed in the chest cavity of Dyanna before sealing it in with a backplate.[/caption] Dyanna has a secret: the last thing I gave her was a big strong plasma-cut bronze encrusted robo-heart. Here's the last image taken of the 'Heart of Dyanna' before it was sealed forever into place, never to be seen again. Four CNC tool holders, scuba tank, vintage motorcycle tank, antique truck swilvel ball joint, two Bridgeport handle wheels, two tool holders, acme threaded rod, axe heads, railroad spikes, bolts, bicycles, MBTA garage springs, antique wrenches, antique lathe belt gear, two lathe chucks, two beam connectors, two spindles, steel tubing, motorcycle clutch plate, large gears, nuts, washers, bronze estimated mass: 800 lbs

Where to find Dyanna

Dyanna greets folks as they enter the Somernova Courtyard. See the map below for her exact location. Come and visit! ]]> Henry m370 https://skunkadelia.com/works/henry/ Tue, 29 Oct 2019 16:17:21 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=6095 Wallace c366 https://skunkadelia.com/works/wallace/ Fri, 13 Sep 2019 05:21:24 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5827 Merry c361 https://skunkadelia.com/works/merry/ Thu, 15 Nov 2018 06:32:08 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5668 Lyra m357 https://skunkadelia.com/works/lyra/ Wed, 17 Oct 2018 00:14:11 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5599 Cameo p358 https://skunkadelia.com/works/cameo/ Tue, 11 Sep 2018 20:14:10 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5612 IFF Advertisement on the MBTA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5833" align="alignnone" width="703"]IFF Botston Banner IFF Botston Banner[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5846" align="alignnone" width="703"] IFF Boston 2019 Program Guide[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5847" align="alignnone" width="703"] IFF Boston 2019 Program Guide Inside Front Cover[/caption]]]> Emmi c217 https://skunkadelia.com/works/emmi/ Wed, 16 May 2018 20:38:58 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5499 Lydia c218 https://skunkadelia.com/works/lydia/ Wed, 16 May 2018 20:30:12 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5494 Wilbur p347 https://skunkadelia.com/works/wilbur/ Wed, 16 May 2018 18:29:19 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5473 Eighty-nine bicycle parts, nine ball bearings, four washers, four brass acorn nuts, five machine screws, four nuts, small split washers, copper, bronze. Last known whereabouts: Roslendale, Massachusetts. Wilbur is named after Wilbur Wright, in honor of the bicycle manufacturer who started the aerospace industry. Wilbur is completely pose-able without tools. He can stand on one foot easily.
Learn more about how Proteus Class Astrobots are made. 4 lbs., 0 oz. 17 x 8 x 4"]]> Jett c352 https://skunkadelia.com/works/jett/ Fri, 06 Apr 2018 21:00:23 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5441 Kai i339 https://skunkadelia.com/works/kai/ Mon, 05 Mar 2018 19:11:39 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5395
My fellow SCUL pilot and friend Couscous had the notion of having a Skunkadelic figurehead for his ship NSC Glittergasm, and he had a very clear idea of what he wanted:
I like the accent of color in Mo, but also the variety of colors in Shelley. I'd love to work with you to pick out parts and figure out how to mount this on Glittergasm if possible - I have a few ideas - while also having it be able to stand on it's own so it can live in my space station during the off season. As for a pose, I like the idea of an arm outstretched forwards because I think that works well for a figurehead. Perhaps the other arm held closer to the body as if holding something? It would also be neat if the hands could have a small hole through them such that I could later create small items for the bot to hold such as a wand or a book. Depending on what part(s) we choose for the eyes, i may also be interested in an insertion point from the back of the eyes such that I could wire in some small lights while the bot was acting as a figurehead.
We got together at my studio space and picked out the parts together. Since Couscous was handy with tools we both got to do some minor alterations of metal before welding. The thick copper body we chose turned out to be much more of a heat sink than expected - and would glow for a good while after welding. This does not typically happen with TIG welds, at least with steel. TIG brazing with silicon bronze to weld copper to steel is tricky, particularly in this small scale. We worked together on ways that this Astrobot could grip an object. Couscous' ship blows bubbles - so I was excited to show him the  metal bubble-wand I had been saving - we needed to chop the middle out so it was proportionate to the robot. I also had a beautiful, small hook clamp which would work nicely to grip the wand. All the pieces came together, so to speak. At the time of this posting, Kai has successfully been mounted on Glittergasm and has fully functional glowing blue optical units already installed.
]]> Newtron m180 https://skunkadelia.com/works/newtron/ Thu, 22 Feb 2018 17:14:33 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5374 Marzu c183 https://skunkadelia.com/works/marzu/ Thu, 22 Feb 2018 16:39:27 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5369 Alejandro c345 https://skunkadelia.com/works/alejandro/ Tue, 20 Feb 2018 20:39:34 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5367 Hawke d337 https://skunkadelia.com/works/hawke-2/ Thu, 11 Jan 2018 01:59:16 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5345 Elmo n335 https://skunkadelia.com/works/elmo/ Wed, 10 Jan 2018 23:26:52 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5341 Mona m334]]> Mona m334 https://skunkadelia.com/works/mona-m334/ Wed, 10 Jan 2018 23:19:37 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5339 Blue i332 https://skunkadelia.com/works/blue/ Wed, 10 Jan 2018 22:58:33 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5337 Shae i331 https://skunkadelia.com/works/shae/ Wed, 10 Jan 2018 22:54:24 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5336 Dominic m330 https://skunkadelia.com/works/dominic/ Wed, 10 Jan 2018 22:46:05 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5335 Jules i348 https://skunkadelia.com/works/jules/ Mon, 04 Dec 2017 20:56:37 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5282 Liz m338 https://skunkadelia.com/works/liz/ Mon, 04 Dec 2017 20:38:19 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5280 The Girl With the Purple Cane'.
While I normally don't do portraits, I was excited to give it a try with after watching Liz speak: she has a strong personality and I was excited to see what pieces of metal I could find that would fit together to give the impression and spirit of her. Finding the blue bicycle fork blades that became her jeans was a rare stroke of luck​ - I felt that was a great sign. The bracelet was inspired by her sweatband, and I smiled pretty hard when I welded the head at the right tilt - that's when I think she really came to life. Spare Parts Liz was also the first Astrobot to have glasses, and it took some iterations and even some bench grinding before I felt they were right. Probably the most challenging part was the hand holding the purple cane: to get metal to act as if it's holding a handle, resting some weight. I'm very happy how she seems to be slightly leaning on the cane, but not too heavily. It was also very gratifying to use a small sledgehammer to get her rivet-fingers to curl around.
I learned a lot from listening to the Girl with the Purple cane and it was an honor to make Spare Parts Liz.
]]> Jackie m328 https://skunkadelia.com/works/jackie/ Mon, 27 Nov 2017 17:03:42 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5249 Zzyzzy j327 https://skunkadelia.com/works/zzyzzy/ Fri, 20 Oct 2017 02:46:48 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5181 Dionysus class Astrobot, but the more I picked though the parts bins, the more I was drawn toward something larger: then I rediscovered this amazing wizard-head of an auger, buried in the bottom of one of my larger pails. When I found a steel flange that fit perfectly over the cone to rest on the rest of the 'head', I couldn't resist making a body to suit. He started out with his legs half the size they wound up being, but this time I wanted to make a lanky Astrobot. I used to work in a close-up magic store in Burlington Vermont back in the mid-90s. I learned a bunch of close-up magic basics that I still play around with it sometimes for friends, as well as my friend's kids. I like to think that my gang SCUL is magic. I like to define magic as nature or technology that is beyond the comprehension of the observer; I suppose under that definition I think the postal system is magic. His hands articulate: the palms were constructed from this strange pipe clamping set I got from a good friend of mine. The set only comes with one set of jaws for each size of pipe, so naturally one hand is larger than the other. I chose the wizard to be left-handed. I took apart a differential from an automobile, these make up the elbows and knees. Most automobile parts are too rusty, or oily, or big and awkward for robots of my scale. I won't go looking for parts like these but I'm happy when someone donates them to me. By the way, nearly 100% of my metal is donated, and almost all of that is delivered to my studio. This was very much appreciated since I had been living car-free from 1999 to 2017. This wizard has a bunch of very old open-ended wrenches, which are very beautiful to me. When I had the thought to weld a nut into each open ends, I was surprised how small the nut was for the size of the head. It has to do with the strength of the steel: before wrenches were drop-forged, the steel was softer - so they had to be thicker to withstand the torque required. I'm particularly fond of the s-shaped wrenches I used for his Achilles heels. There are a lot of subtle details on these tools that make for a more interesting form. One of my mentors, Marjorie Picchi, one said to me "When you think you are done, that's when you're halfway done." Zzyzzy took much longer than most of the Astrobots I've made, but he looked done while standing around at my studio. I took breaks from the work for weeks at a time, sometimes distracted by other projects, but also to get to know him. One day I went to work in my studio and when I saw him I just stopped in my tracks and just smiled - that's when I knew he was complete. Long before I learned how to weld, I was planning to make a giant menacing looking robot from steel duct work. I had no good source for materials, but I was convinced I could find what I needed enough to buy some big copper rivets to join the steel together. I'm very glad I never took on this project, as I prefer what I'm doing now - but I kept the rivets for nearly twenty years before Zzyzzy came along. I found them to be the perfect accent for all the fake joints. They look great with the bronze 'charm rivets' too. Zzyzzy represents the best of my work and I'm very proud of how he came together. I enjoyed having him as a companion for three years before he left home for his own adventures.  ]]> Davis j325 https://skunkadelia.com/works/davis/ Wed, 18 Oct 2017 18:15:55 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5174 Forty bicycle parts, two ride-share station connecting pins, tallbike disco-ball cradle (formerly an iMac part), three flanges, twenty eight square punch blanks, fourteen flooring nails, twenty-one washers, two castle nuts, two cover plates, two CO2 cartridge tops, copper, bronze. 22.5 lbs 22 x 12 x 7 inches While I have had many Astrobots of mine survive for winters outdoors, Davis j325 is my first public art piece, thanks to the Somerville Arts Council's Phone Box Art Project. It's an honor to have such a fantastic spot for Davis to be: between to the Somerville Theatre outdoor ticket booth and the Davis Square T Stop. Obviously I named Davis j325 after the square she inhabits. I built her to be tough in the hopes she will survive on her own: although I find Davis Square to be very friendly, she still has to endure whatever life and the elements throw at her. I added what I feel is a little piece of Somerville history into Davis. My bicycle chopper gang, known as SCUL, has looped Davis Square dozens - if not hundreds - of times on its Saturnight missions; Davis is one of the few 'constellations' we often loop twice. For ten years my ship - the flagship of SCUL, UBS Cloudbuster, carried what we referred to as the 'Disco Deth Stah': a sixty-pound telescoping mast supporting a lit and rotating mirror ball - a shining beacon of my beloved gang, originally inspired by Project MUM. After many missions and more than a few crashes - the last of which was into a giant I-beam under a bridge near Assembly Square that nearly dashed me to the rocks of the low waters of the Mystic - I retired the sixty pound telescoping mast, and saved the steel for later projects. The skirt of Davis j325 was once the very cradle that supported the Disco Deth Stah, and has seen traveled on many amazing adventures before retiring. SCUL was a huge help in the installation process: Red Squirrel, Leotard, Acehole, Rad Max, Lord McFuzz, Perilous, Buckminister, Pastry Queen, Excess, Kpafun, and the passerby who owns a cordless sawzall, pitched in and provided support. The installation took four hours and were done before sunset, so we did not have to work in the dark. There was a lot of excitement from passers by as we worked, delighted to see the new lady Davis. I felt strange leaving her alone for the first time, as if I was forgetting something; however as we rode away toward our home base, a feeling of great joy came over me, knowing she'll hopefully serve as a reminder to those to stay tough, keep your eyes wide open and your chin up, and to stay positive and hopeful no matter what life throws at us. I'm also excited to have Davis j325 live so close to the Somerville Theatre, since I have been making the trophies for the Boston Independent Film Festival since their second year. I regularly check in on Davis, since she's on my regular commute: but I'm hoping Davis will take care of Davis, and Davis will take care of Davis in return. Coordination help from Emily Abramovich.  And special thanks to Ian Judge @ Somerville Theater.  ]]> Edison m216 https://skunkadelia.com/works/edison-m216/ Thu, 31 Aug 2017 16:06:28 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5121 Rebar n318 https://skunkadelia.com/works/rebar/ Tue, 29 Aug 2017 14:04:36 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5090 Judy c315 https://skunkadelia.com/works/judy/ Sat, 08 Jul 2017 18:34:16 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5073 Gaia m316 https://skunkadelia.com/works/gaia/ Sat, 08 Jul 2017 18:12:13 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5066 Xander c314 https://skunkadelia.com/works/xander/ Fri, 02 Jun 2017 02:35:21 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5027 Boston Bike Builder Bash at Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, Massachusetts, on Saturday, June 3rd 2017. 2 lbs, 10 oz. 13 x 6.5 x 4.5"]]> Evelyn m310 https://skunkadelia.com/works/evelyn/ Thu, 25 May 2017 03:52:32 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=5020 Adriana m307 https://skunkadelia.com/works/adriana/ Wed, 17 May 2017 15:46:22 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4994 6 lbs. 7 oz. 20 x 7 x 5"]]> Dan n309 https://skunkadelia.com/works/dan/ Wed, 17 May 2017 14:25:22 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4988 Cameron i312 https://skunkadelia.com/works/cameron/ Wed, 17 May 2017 04:22:50 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4979 Piper c137 https://skunkadelia.com/works/piper/ Tue, 25 Apr 2017 15:15:36 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4950 Frodi i106 https://skunkadelia.com/works/frodi/ Tue, 25 Apr 2017 15:06:10 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4947 Bart i306 https://skunkadelia.com/works/bart/ Mon, 17 Apr 2017 16:43:39 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4928 Dot m305 https://skunkadelia.com/works/dot/ Mon, 17 Apr 2017 16:16:44 +0000 https://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4920 Work By Kelly Shpeley The painting that inspired the creation of "Dot", by artist Kelly Shpeley[/caption] Dot was inspired by this painting by Kelly Shpeley. As the client and I hand-picked parts from my metal collection, we kept referring to the painting as 'the photograph from the future.' While at first I has a difficult time imagining solutions to the glass dome, the bendy arms and legs and the heart, I thought we'd give it a shot and see what happens. I'm proud of Dot quite a lot. thirteen bicycle parts, machine block, two lathe chuck jaws, two valves, two springs, acme threaded rod, two ball bearings, gear, two reamer blades, copper, bronze, enamel 8 lbs. 6 oz. 12 x 5 x 6.5 in.]]> Dee n303 https://skunkadelia.com/works/dee/ Thu, 23 Mar 2017 17:03:16 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4880 Hugo c248 https://skunkadelia.com/works/hugo/ Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:48:48 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4814 Kepler m254 https://skunkadelia.com/works/kepler/ Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:29:36 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4806 Proteus Class. Essentially he stands around waving his arms at everyone, it gives him great story-telling body language. sixty bicycle parts, two milling blades, castle nut, balance scale bell, forged plant hanger, vegetable steamer louver, six nuts, three bolts, four washers, bronze, copper, steel, enamel 9 lbs. 6 oz. 23 x 14 x 4"]]> Chuckles i139 https://skunkadelia.com/works/chuckles-i139/ Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:19:05 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4802 Toki i301 https://skunkadelia.com/works/toki/ Wed, 01 Feb 2017 20:38:47 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4794 Tomek c278 https://skunkadelia.com/works/tomek/ Thu, 08 Dec 2016 01:33:53 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4710 Columbia i298 https://skunkadelia.com/works/columbia/ Thu, 08 Dec 2016 01:08:11 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4747 Lois c296 https://skunkadelia.com/works/lois/ Sun, 13 Nov 2016 22:04:20 +0000 http://skunkadelia.com/?post_type=product&p=4694