Putting together a presentation for a big public art comission and are presenting a figure we hope to make out of copper shaped panels and twisted wire on a stainless steel frame. We want to green up the copper and keep the high spots polished. What is the best method of speeding the process up. We would only have about a month to do it as the piece is to be installed for a big sporting event and build time is 3 months. Is this possible? Also copper goes through a very ugly phase whilst it ages, what do you think of letting it age naturally and keeping the high spots polished. It would also be evolving and have a changing interest for about 3 years then wouldn't it. This is huge for us. We have been shortlisted to the final 3 alongside established artists with a long history of public work and are very good. We are very grateful for any help and advice that you may be able to give us and we appreciate the thoughts and critique of our peers.

Hi guys and girls
Working on a life size fairy at the moment, she will be naked dancing in a ring of magical mushrooms. Contemplating wings and a while ago saw some copper bowls made from very fine copper mesh, they had been treated with some form of acid which discoloured and ate some of the copper, the result was a truly beautiful fragility. Does anyone know what the acid might be?

Planning have given us a date of 22nd of April, which is a good thing as it gives us an extra month! Never thought we'd be grateful to beurocracy. Going well, have had the face compared to Easter Island, the Maoris and ancient egypt which says to me that he is suitably ancient. Planning to change the name to 'the ancestor' The druid refers to him as this and we think it broadens him to being everyones ancestor. Possibly considering a big sun staff the ensure balance. There is a 2 tonne base to go on yet, so might not need it. Speaking to the engineer today. Michelle is already eyeing up telegraph poles. We think we are on target, have been criticised for paying too much attention to detail(grin) delighted to be proved right. the details thats shown in the picture are brilliant we thought they might disappear but stand out really well. The face and collar bones in particular. Meeting with The Holiday Inn next week to start planning grand opening. General consensus seems to be small 'civic' ceremony with local councillors, business,press and local galleries etc and to use this to publicise the Druid blessing open to all. We wioll be making him a summer garland with local community to celebrate the solstice and hope to have the blessing on solstice eve this year.

Starting on the head today, so excited, been really looking forward to this bit. Alterations carried out from last Sunday when we put the 2 halves together went well. Much happier with overall shapes now.

Hi
We have been asked to make a very intricate scroll pattern bed head with gold leaf on it. Bed head is well underway and gold leaf ordered, but we are not sure how to apply it to metal. Has anyone used goldleaf to accentuate a pattern? Would you mind giving a bief description of how to do it?