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Category : light, metal

Making Rosie the Riveter proud. Too many fun thin

Making Rosie the Riveter proud.

Too many fun things going on, it’s hard to keep up in life, let alone on social media!

Finished another section of 24.
Was asked to do a sculptural mural for Kutztown @kcp_kutztown
Looked at Bethlehem steel artifacts for a public sculpture opportunity.
Working with @nmihorg on their metal forging events.
Having meetings with politicians about the exhibition drama.
Modeling for a famous painter @juliebellartist
Killing it in the studio making my own work.
Fabricating some rad custom metalwork for @isaacsouthard
Casting steel in the shadow of the Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces this weekend!

Today is the Fall equinox so I guess the universe really is turning a leaf for me! #badpuns

#unusmundusproject
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#bethlehemsteel #bethlehempa #femalefabricators #womenwhoweld #metalworkers #metalworking #fallequinox #steelworker #rosietheriveter #riveting #powertools #opportunity #travelingartist #seasonschange

Each of the 24 lines that make up the largest piec

Each of the 24 lines that make up the largest piece of the exhibition are made up of 10 lengths of 20 ft steel rods, not cable; an important distinction. This makes each line 200 ft long and the entire piece 4,800 ft in cumulative length.

How to connect each of the rods was an important decision. I wanted it clean and secure. Welding them together wouldn't have accomplished that since I am using 1/4“ steel rods and that weld joint wouldn’t have been very elegant.

I love mixing materials, especially metals. I have a relationship with each type of metal and so how I bring them together holds a unique significance for me. When posed with the question of how to connect these rods I thought of copper. Then silver. And I had my answer.

Brazing is a metal joining process that uses a type of metal with a lower melting point than the metal
you are trying to join to bring them together. In the case of 24, I am using copper couplers with silver filler to join the steel rods.

Instead of the connections between lines being a hassle, they became a feature. They are these very beautiful moments in the lines where copper and silver shine, where the symmetry of the design is further highlighted.

Not only did I like this for its aesthetic but I also liked it for its meaning. The silver lining that holds together each hour of our days and the movement of these intersecting points changing alignment as the lines travel down their 200 feet lengths.

@nolan_madaus is seen here brazing one section of prebrazed 40ft length to another 40ft section. It's tricky having to handle such long lengths of steel so high in the air and braze them together. But he really has it down and not one has broken under tension. They look as beautiful as I imagined they would when it was all in my head months ago and hold a significance even greater.

#unusmundusproject
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#artinstallation #artfabrication #metalwork #brazing #womenwhoweld #femaleartist #bethlehempa #lehighvalley #fablife #fabrication #largescaleart #buildbig #silverlining #copper #silver #steel #mixedmetals #storytelling

First article about the exhibition is published! M

First article about the exhibition is published!
Meditations on time...skeletal iron...such a beautifully written piece be sure to check it out! Link in bio!
Thanks so much @lehighvalleylive for writing this story up!

For a variety of unfortunate reasons it has taken some time to get something written publicly about the suspension of the exhibition. It is proving to be a sensitive subject and as per my lawyers advice, I dialed down my approach so I do not unintentionally make the situation worse. There have been a lot of developments that have come up these past few weeks, many of which are incredibly disheartening. I can't really get into that right now but hopefully one day soon I will have good news for you.

Nonetheless I have been out at the site with the crew building 24 and working in the studio on the smaller works. I will continue to forge ahead and keep hope that I will make it through the regulation barriers I am facing and all that this article speaks of will come to pass in 2022.

#unusmundusproject
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#artexhibition #artinstallation #urbexart #metalwork #glassart #soundart #lightart #artfabrication #bethlehempa #pennsylvania #zoning #buracracy #forgeahead #keeppositive #dreambig #nevergiveup #femaleartist #womenartists #buildbig #fightforwhatyouwant #perserverance

Slowly moving my way back to that two-wheeled life $Slowly moving my way back to that two-wheeled life! My podiatrist actually cleared me for outdoor low risk bicycling! So today I brushed off my @brooksengland saddle and swung my leg over my most favorite bicycle that’s been with me for over a decade on both coasts… and went on a chill 7.5 mile ride. A little road, a little trail and ALL WONDERFUL! This is huge for my recovery considering 5 months ago my doctor was thinking I’d need surgery. The daily @exogenbonehealing ultrasound treatments, that I was so skeptical of, somehow seem to be healing my non-union fracture in my right foot. I have far less pain and my limp is less then it use to be. I’ve been so careful. Not even trying to ride my motorcycle or do anything that could potentially reinjure my fracture but I haven’t felt this out of shape probably ever in my life. And my right leg has atrophied so badly I barely recognize it. Hopefully this new exercise allowance will move me closer to having my body back again and even closer to a full recovery. I get another MRI at the end of October which will tell me the real progress of the fracture. Until then I’ll do what I can to build strength and regain the muscle I’ve lost over this past year. Feeling ecstatic! Even snuck my @moskomoto #nomad on the rear rack! Moving in the right direction🙏🤩 #unusmundusproject . . . #healing #brokenbones #fractures #motoaccident #motocrash #twowheellife #bicycle #progress #longroad #livetoride #ridetolive #ridebikes #twowheelsmovethesoul #brookssaddle #womenwhoride #nonunion @ridecannondale @bernhelmets$

Went camping with @saimabobaima and her pup, Rocky

Went camping with @saimabobaima and her pup, Rocky this week.
It's hard to believe it took me so long this year to get myself with the trees, under the stars, by a fire, surrounded by wildlife.
But I won't let myself dwell on time passed.
I’ll just be happy that I made it and for its gentle reminder to make time for the nourishment nature gives.

Get out there!
Time goes by too quickly to keep putting it off.
Make space.

#unusmundusproject
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#camping #fire #wilderness #getouthere #pennsylvania #pa #eastcoast #mushrooms #hickoryrunstatepark #getaway #befree #maketime #nostress #womenwhoexplore #nature #breathedeep

Had a lovely holiday weekend celebrating my Grandm

Had a lovely holiday weekend celebrating my Grandmother's 97th birthday.

She wrote me a poem a few weeks ago about time and memories centered around our experiences shared together in life. When I was a little girl I gave my grandparents a wind chime and in the poem she wrote she included a photo of the chimes and a theme in the writing was the sounds they made.

So for her birthday I made her a new set of chimes from metal and glass. I don’t have a good photo of them really but they made it to Massachusetts safely and we installed them right next to her favorite chair and she loves them.

Lots of good food and relaxing. I painted everyone's nails pink by my Grandmother's request, even our dog Luna and my Dad gave in after a little convincing! :)

Happy Birthday my sweet Grandmother!

#unusmundusproject
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#family #grandmother #birthday #love #windchime #storytelling #massachusetts #maketime #grandchildren #grandparents #poetry

Recently I made my very first mojito. I picked fre

Recently I made my very first mojito.
I picked fresh mint from the garden, made my own simple syrup and I’ve been pretty obsessed with them ever since.

I put a lot of pressure on myself, that's not a bad thing. It has produced some incredible things in my life but I do understand that it can be blinding at times. Last week when I made that first mojito I thought of all the things I haven't done since I've been on the East Coast due to this blindly light I speak of.

The simple process of making this drink widened my perspective. I haven't even gone camping since I've been back. I haven't gone canoeing or bicycling. I haven't made a bonfire or had a dinner party. Granted my foot is still broken so I can't go trail riding on my CRF250 which is what I'd really like to do, although it is better than it was a few months ago. But still, there are all these things I haven't done that I love. And I won't be here again, for as long as I have been this year, much longer, perhaps ever again.

Just as a drink requires the right mix to taste just right, so does life require the balance of work and play.
I have a lot I want to achieve in life and I have lists and plans to go with these ambitions, they are not passive commitments.

But I also have to allow myself the space to make a fucking drink for myself once in a while!

So happy Labor Day weekend!... of which I will be doing ZERO labor and only drinking mojitos and celebrating my Grandmothers birthday with my family in Massachusetts.

Cheers!

#unusmundusproject
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#bethlehempa #eastcoast #lovewhatyoudo #synchronicity #selfcare #mixology #mojitos #lehighvalley #maketime #slowdown #mainecoon #familymatters #loveyourself #mint #flow

Took last week off to collect myself, relax and pr

Took last week off to collect myself, relax and prepare for the changes that are coming as a result of the forced suspension of my October art exhibition. It's going to be a long fight to jump through all the hoops required for the exhibition to happen next year and so I must reevaluate what I will do with my time between now and then.

There will be some articles coming out soon about the whole debacle which should create some interesting hype. I will continue to move forward with building the works but at a slower pace while I plant seeds in other areas I’ve had my eye on.

I do not plan to stay here for winter. I desperately want to be back with my motorcycle in Central America again and move the chess piece of my overarching journey forward. And I have set that intention but I must take it slow, be patient and move forward with the things I have control of while letting the rest find its place in my life over the next few months.

Thank you to all those who have reached out to me and offered help with the fight ahead. Your shared sadness and disappointment with the situation and also your strength and encouragement have really helped direct my energy to stand up again and move forward.

#unusmundusproject
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#centering #selfcare #perseverance #dreambig #forwardisforward #positivevibes #artexhibition #artinstallation #femaleartist #storytelling #green #relaxation #slowandsteady #focus #thelonggame #lehighvalley #bethlehempa #travelingartist #womenwithlocs #onepiece

I will take their red tape and use it as kindling

I will take their red tape and use it as kindling for my fire.

Press releases go out today.
Newspapers, tv, radio, podcasts of the Lehigh Valley… I have a story for you.

To bring down my dreams, you have to get through me first.

Let’s see how hot we can stoke the fire.

#unusmundusproject
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#fight #bethlehempa #lehighvalley #dreambig #artinstallation #artfabrication #womenwhoweld #femaleartist #nasty #fire #passion #linework #nevergiveup #redtape #zoning

I have some terrible news regarding my exhibition.

I have some terrible news regarding my exhibition.
Long story short, it is a show stopper.
I have been battling this problem for months behind the scenes but it finally looks like I am at an impasse.

The zoning officer of Hanover Township is demanding the property where the exhibition is to get what is called a Highway Occupancy Permit or HOP.

It involves a lengthy and expensive process of not only getting drawings done for the site changes that need to happen to comply with road regulations for property lines that are within a certain distance of a roadway but also the building of a giant barrier wall separating the street from the property and a complete traffic study. I am beside myself.

They say it takes a minimum of 60 days to get the paperwork for the HOP through the system and processed and that's the expedited route. That does not include the time it takes to get the documents together or do the actual work for the permit. And all of this has to be done before I can receive my certificate of occupancy for the space.

It seems there is no way around this which means there will be no show in October.
Or perhaps even not at all considering my zoning exception limitations.

I fought my case in a zoning hearing at the beginning of the year to have this exhibition and won but they only gave me permission for the zoning exception until December 31st which means unless I get that extended through another official zoning hearing and resolve this HOP issue, there will be no show at all.

The zoning hearings are open to the public and tonight there happens to be one.
So I will go and take my last stand to fight for this exception or at least to be heard. If there truly is no way through this mess of bureaucracy I will be forced to apply for another hearing next month to request an extension to try and have the exhibition next year.

Wish me luck.

#unusmundusproject
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#bethlehempa #hanovertownship #lehighvalley #fightforwhatyouwant #nevergiveup #perseverance #publicart

Today is Chuck's birthday! Happy birthday my frien

Today is Chuck's birthday!
Happy birthday my friend!

Chuck is an exceptional person, not only is he sweet and thoughtful but also incredibly skilled and super fun to work with. I met him over 12 years ago while I was working a job with my Dad renovating a house. He's a master mason so he was tearing out a chimney at the time and I would run into him now and again and he would always have some kind of story to tell me.

My Dad and Chuck ended up working together for years to come and even built a natural timber frame house together! Recently I worked with him on a job at a 201 year old metal forge and grist mill. I was rebuilding the old windows and he was down in the basement working his magic on this rusted out I-beam that held up this massive water wheel.

He somehow puzzled scaffolding up from the bottom of this crowded and unstable dirt floor and wrangled this giant I-beam out from the old concrete and removed it from the tiny basement. He described it as “simply a series of pulleys and straps and a bunch of drilling” but damn if you could see this place and what he did… it's incredible that he was able to do that all by himself. I seriously know no one else who could have done such a thing.

This is the kind of person Chuck is.
Crafty as fuck and humble as all hell about it.
I am lucky enough to have him on my team for the exhibition.
He has been out with us every Saturday putting lines up, he let me borrow a ton of tools and equipment and tomorrow we are going on a field trip to the metal salvage yard together to get a bunch more steel.

Chuck, thank you so much for all your help and support!
It is so fun working with you and your cute puppy Oso.
You're right, he's almost as hard to take a photo of as you!
And you have the raddest zombie killer truck I’ve ever seen.

Happy Birthday!

#unusmundusproject
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#birthday #friendship #masonry #fabrication #storytime #gratitude #linework #teamwork #exceptional #inspirational #storytelling #fablife #artfabrication #artinstallation #teameffort #apocolypsemachine #zombiekiller #truckmods #customfabrication #featsofengineering #mason #linework

My mom @southardjeanne quite nearly single handedl

My mom @southardjeanne quite nearly single handedly prepped, cleaned and waxed all 4400 ft of lines for 24, the giant metal linework piece.

She isn't one to stand on that sidelines.
The first day I got access to the site she was there, cleaning with me. And when that was done, she found a new job, getting the lines ready. She is hard on herself sometimes about not being able to help with the big installation and fabrication parts but I tell her she has no reason to feel that way! Getting those lines ready for use is a huge job! It's hard work and out in the hot sun, getting filthy, tired and going home smelling of vinegar and rust… it aint a job most people would choose to do.

But every day she can, she comes to the site early, ready with coffees for us both, rolls her wheelbarrow of supplies (which was actually originally her fathers!) out to the scaffolding where the lines live, throws on a pair of gloves, an apron and gets to work. Scrubbing every line down with metal cleaner and scotch brite then applying wax to each of the 220 steel rods.

If you add up all the times her hands went over the lines for cleaning and waxing she probably handled over four miles of steel these past weeks. That's incredible!

I am so thankful to have such a badass mom who not only is willing but excited to do such a task!

This piece couldn’t be done without you Mama! You are one strong woman 🙌❤️

#unusmundusproject
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#badassmom #workhardplayhard #femalefabricators #womenwhowork #getdirty #metalworking #fablife #motherdaughter #badasswomen #momsofinstagram #momspiration #strongwomen #proud #motherlove #likemotherlikedaughter #teameffort #buildtogether #inspiration

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