This is my first public sign since the old Raconteur sign, and I thank St. Luke’s for considering my proposal. It may be hard to tell, but this is about four feet long. I like working at this scale, and don’t usually have the opportunity.
The body is cut from basswood, which may weather to a pale gray, and the applied nails are cut in the round from padauk, Pterocarpus soyauxii, which, like many species, will darken to brown. The natural colors give good contrast, and padauk is a little stringy but cuts well to show a shiny surface. The sign is sealed with many coats of spar varnish, which gives a little golden tone.
The three crossed nails were cut on the band saw as one piece, in two directions before being cut with a hand saw, then filed and carved by hand. The body surface and letters are hand-cut.
I’m looking forward to the gallery’s opening this weekend. It’s a small space that shows artwork well, and a great addition to the exhibit spaces in town.
Sondra Flite Artworks 