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Carving
| A 1750: Hi, as a sculptor,
I would like to know the difference between red marble a "cream"
marble. I'm speaking about Spanish marble (hardness, and other
stone working point of view). Thank you, Ora. April 24. Reply |
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| A 1683: Hello All, I
am a sandstone carver who plans to build a stone circle when
I return to USA in 2003. I have already gathered 6 stones weighing
1500 pounds each and plan to gather about 6 more including some smaller
ones to use as lintels. Anyone out there who has built their own circle?
I would like to talk to you. Regards, Bruce, April 10. Reply |
| R1:
Dear Bruce, check out the building of the UMR-Stonehenge project involving
the University of Missouri-Rolla. However, they used granite
quarried from Elberton, Georgia, not sandstone. Good luck with
your project and if your lintels are wide enough you will be able
to get out of the rain. (Dr. Hans), Australia |
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| A 1663: Hi there. I sculpt
in soapstone and alabaster (at this point-just about to embark on
a piece of pink marble). I live in Maryland and am looking for
any place that is close to me (let's say within 100 miles) who sells
sculptable pieces of stone. Your expert
advice is wonderful. Thanks in advance. Carol, April 6.
Reply |
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| A 1631: I inherited 2
very old alabaster statues that were not dusted/cared for
for a while. They were also packed up for a year. I know that water
can not be used on alabaster so I am at a loss to know what, if anything,
can be used. Once cleaned up, what is the best way to maintain
them. Anne, April 1. Reply |
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| A 1624: I'm interested
in casting some of my stone sculptures in limestone or cold bronze.
Will you please follow up on your helpful comments and give me more
specific information. Thanks. Jim, March 31. Reply |
| R1:
Dear Jim. I sculpt in limestone, but never have cast a piece in limestone
or bronze (Cold or otherwise). However, in looking through various
sculpture supply house catalogues, I see that there are products available,
such as hydrastone for that limestone look. I imagine that the mold
making process would be much the same as for casting in poured bronze,
but I recommend getting some literature and educating yourself about
what you want to do. Good luck, JVC, USA |
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| A 1364:
I am looking for a place in Mexico where I can take my family and
do some stone carving near a source of good quality stone. if
anyone knows of such an area please let me know. Tom, Jan 23. Reply |
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| A 1308: I am a sculptor
and am seeking relevant information concerning alabaster and tools
for working the same. Llew, Jan 8. Reply |
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| A 1341: I don't know
but would like to know how to carve images in sand stone . There are
several places around here that do it but will not tell me how . I
have a father in law that isn't in the best of health and he wants
me to carve his address in some sandstone for his front yard . No
one that does the carving around here will give me any advice on how
to do it but they want to sell me some or do it for a price. However
my father in law wants me to do it . Could you please help me by telling
me a little how to or where I can find a book that tells me how to?
Jan 16. Reply |
| R2:
It will take you along time. John, England |
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| R1:
Sorry that you are running into this problem. When I first started
carving, I would seek advice from one of our local masters, and he
too would not give me the time of day. In his opinion, if a person
was not born into the business ( i.e. grandfathers and fathers who
were carvers), a person had no business picking up a hammer and chisel.
Fortunately, I was determined to keep on, and after a while when he
saw that I was serious and had some talent, his attitude towards me
changed, and he would visit me in my shop to observe and provide some
of that sought after advice. On the other hand (I suppose because
of that experience) my shop is open to anyone who wants to learn for
whatever reason. I frequently have novice carvers in, and I set them
up with stone and tools, and point them in the right direction. As
to your question, there is a book called "carving letters in stone
and wood" by Michael Harvey. It would be a good primer as to tools
and materials. And finally, the best teacher is experience, so my
recommendation is to get a slab of stone, a hammer and chisel, and
start carving. Good Luck JVC, USA |
| Thank
you very much for responding to my letter. I was beginning to give
up hope I had asked so many people around here that do that and have
there own business I wasnt trying to make my own business just do
something for my father in law. Just to let you know I ran into the
same problems just trying to find out how to paint on feathers . I
wanted to make presents for christmas and didn't know how to start
. Some one in a craft store told me when I told her no one would help
me with that either. The Christmas presents turned out ok and this
project might too . Thank you again very much for your time. Daughter-
in-law |
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| A 1220: Hello! I am interested
in the price of Canadian marbles. Are they suitable
for carving? I've enjoyed carving limestone and am looking
for suppliers of stone and their prices. Thank you very much! Elise,
Nov 26. Reply |
| R2: Dear Elise: I believe that if you had a chance to ask
Michelangelo he'd tell you that ... Oh, he sculpted a thing or two
with marble!! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, USA |
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| R1: Elise, Marbles are usually harder and more brittle than
limestone. Call a stone fabrication and installation facility in your
area to see if they have a few pieces that you could try and experiment
with. Best regards, Steven, USA |
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A 1149: I have a friend who wants to know
if the following piece is of any value? It is a Stone Carving By C. E. Becker
of a village scene dated 1899. Robert, USA, Oct 23. Reply
A 1112: I am an author and fledgling stone carver, and am writing a novel
in which the main character carves quite a bit. I am becoming familiar
with the tools, practice of carving, but would like references where people
write about types of stone, their qualities, ability to be shaped, even
their 'personalities'. If you can lead me, I'd appreciate it. Thanks,
Richard, Sept 24, USA, Reply
R1: Dear Richard,
I can recommend you book F. Bradley (Studio Marmo): Natural stone. A Guide
to Selection. W.W.Norton & Company, New York 1998 Daniel, Slovakia
Q 993: I’ve been looking everywhere for a source for malachite in
useful amounts. I can't find a thing. anyone know of anywhere? I am a Sculptor.
Pat, USA. June 3 reply
R1: Malachite
comes from Russia - Ural Mountains, from Congo - Shaba, USA -
Utah - Nevada Lode Mine. Regards, Daniel, Slovakia
I TOO WOULD BE INTERESTED IN A SOURCE OF MALACHITE FOR CARVING PLUS PRICES.
MANY THANKS. STEVE, USA, July 20.
e 1646 USA: I am a sculptor in search of sources for cut blocks
of high quality limestone for carving. Specifically,
I am searching for the warm, buff-colored limestone used by Alan Houser
for many of his Native American sculptures. Many of his works using
this type of limestone are identified as "Indiana limestone" but no other
information is given (e.g., quarry). If you can provide any specific leads
for the type of limestone I am searching for it would be most welcome and
appreciated. My carving work is for indoor display and is generally
created from blocks that are less than 3' x 2' x 2'. July 1 contact
R2: Indiana Limestone
is a wonderful stone to carve in. However to get it to the warm buff
tone you describe you have to be willing to polish it down like marble. There
are quite a few quarries still in production in Indiana, and the stone does
vary from location to location. John, USA,
R1: INDIANA LIMESTONE is oolitic limestone comes from Bedford, Bloomington,
Clear Creek in Indiana.
Indiana limestone has a high degree of machinability, allowing it to be
shaped and textured at low cost. Over 150 years of successful use as an
exterior cladding material has proven its ability to resist the forces
of weather and pollution. Its light buff color blends easily with almost
any other building material making it very practical for use as trim pieces
in the form of sills, coping, quoins and keystones. Often referred to as
the "Nation's Building Stone," nearly 80% of the dimension limestone used
in the U.S.A. is quarried in the state of Indiana. Such important older
structures as the Empire State Building in New York, New York; the Tribune
Tower in Chicago, Illinois; and the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
are constructed of Indiana Limestone. More recent projects include the Federal
Triangle Complex, and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington,
D.C.; the Myerson Symphony Center and the Dallas Museum of Fine Art in Dallas,
Texas; and the 101 Federal Street building in Boston, Massachusetts. Daniel,
Slovakia
Q 937: I may be moving to eastern Kansas from northern California and am
looking for good sources of carving stone (alabaster, soapstone, etc.)
in the area. I already know about Colorado Alabaster. Any others? Marla,
USA, April 19. Reply
Q 899: I am looking for information on carving headstones as a business.
I would like to know what all it would involve. I have never carved stone
before. I can’t seem to find any info on the subject. Thank you. Janet,
USA, March 9. Reply
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