Crumple some (gifted) copper sheeting with a rubber mallet and set it on edge. . .

Zig zag the distressed metal back and forth, duct taping the bottom edges of a few of the zigs to zags to keep it from getting out of control.

Next, seam several lightly pressed, wet sheets of 5 hr abaca paper end to end to make a sheet longer than the coppery mold in order to have lots of material to drape between edges.

A long sheet of abaca paper is prepared by overlapping the edges of wet 12” x 18” sheets. This will then be draped on the scraggly edges of crumpled copper sheeting.

Drape a long sheet of wet paper . . .

into position on the copper. Gently press/massage the sheet to smooth and round the valleys between the copper edges. Leave the paper taut and sharp over those edges. Those edges will dry crisp and thin, giving the sheet a staccato rhythm of choppy waves and a remarkable structural stiffness.

The damp abaca paper has been laid onto the copper edges. With finger pressure, the paper was pressed down on the edges to increase the crispness of the impression in the dried paper.

Dribble in some pebbles . . .

to keep the abaca taut and from shrinking up flat between the copper edges while it is drying. They also slightly dimple the paper. Took 4 days to dry.

Pebbles provide the weight needed to keep the high shrinkage abaca from losing its deep valleys between the high edges.

Try it again bigger. . .

Green and white sheets were stacked and then cut in a wavy decorative line down the middle. Then the sheets were unstacked and rearranged to get the pattern above.

The overbeaten abaca is carefully draped over the copper sheeting to allow for deep valleys.

The pebbles hold down the abaca in the valleys. They will also subtly dimple the paper.

Compose with it. . .

Here, a compositional sketch uses the copper edged cast piece to connect wall and floor.

the finished abaca cast holds the curvy mountains of the copper edges as well as the pebbled valleys, contrasting well with other cast forms. for more see studio sketches

Jumble the copper a bit . . .

The copper sheeting crumbled with a rubber mallet is ready for the abaca sheet.

to get off the pier and into a roiling sea. Notice copper’s color is pretty nice too.

Holes in your soul help you breath out 2018 cast abaca and cotton papers 3’ x 4’ x 1’ see recent work. about the blue object see Holed’er post. — *Holes in your soul help you breath out* 2018 cast abaca and cotton papers 3’ x 4’ x 1’ see recent work. about the blue object see Holed’er post.

The abaca has darkened and tightened over the edges as it shrank and dried. It’s ready to be popped off the mold.

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