‘Just an alive and kickin’ post to let you all know I’m still here. Today, I completed the re-varnishing of the main three pieces of the “LaGuardia Heirloom Furniture Project.”
The rocking chair and bookcase were made in anticipation and honor of my first-born, my daughter Mairead. As I hoped, she became an avid reader, a roller-coaster enthusiast (after years of dreading amusement park rides), and a September attendee at Boston College. The last was really her hope. She applied early decision and got in. We are all very happy to be Boston Eagles!
I am a fan of Sam Maloof, and my epoch of choice is the Art Nouveau period. That is probably not surprising to you all.
For my son, Nolan, I designed this wall cupboard, which is a further exploration of the Art Nouveau style, mashed with specific design cues from the brothers Greene & Greene.
The lighting in my apartment is always pretty minimal, so detail pictures of the cornice relief carving would not show well. That carving is covered by the doors, anyway, but it depicts a mirrored relief of carp fish in a grassy seaway. Incorporating symbolism of fish, throughout, the cabinet is a totem of future abundance, just as Mairead’s bookcase incorporates symbolism for growth, unity, and an aspirational sense for what is possible.
Anyway, these past projects are kind of my “children”. While I didn’t design the Maloof chair, I labored hard to make it. When these objects become scarred from use, I feel the wounds as though my own flesh has been cut!
And so, I periodically like to refresh these pieces with tung-oil varnish; in this case, Minwax Antique Oil Finish. This is the most user-friendly of the wipe on/wipe off finishes, and it produces a really nice, soft luster after buffing.
In other news, I tried to attend the Knicks victory parade today, in lower Manhattan, but that was a complete s***-show. I enjoyed the proceedings far more from the comforts of my living room. Seriously - it was pandemonium in lower Manhattan, today.
As for the model, I stopped off at BLICK art supply today, and picked up a bottle of matte black acrylic. I’ll have to thin it with water, but I’ll experiment to see whether I like the result on my galley chimneys. There isn’t really anything to show, just yet.
Still here. Still puttering. As always, thank you for continuing your interest in this project. I am always amazed by what you all are producing in your shipyards!
. Such amount of information in one book without having to look through hundred of different post and topics is worthy to be sold in Musee de La Marine. I have no doubt you possess skill to make such grand model. If you don't make this book before you pass away at least pass the notes to somebody who will
Probably, MSW was blocking robots or WebArchive was taking only specific pages - honestly, I don't know.
