Hi Matt,
The work you have been posting is amazing! I adore this one.I guess I love those dangerous points!!!You expressed concern over making money off your work. I don't see how you cannot make money. Get out there. Your work deserves an audience . We are glad to have you on this site with us. Janet R.

Thanks so much Janet. I am working on the website, mainly slowed by waiting for an appt. with the photographer. I was getting very frustrated for awhile. It's never good to run out of steel,coal, oxy/act, and money at the same time, but I swallowed my pride and started calling past clients and basically begging for work. they pulled through for me, I just finished shovelling 2000 lbs of coal and have a couple of commissions for lights to get done this week,whoo hoooo!-thanks again-m

Thanks alot Fred I really do appreciate the support.I work hard to be good at what I do, I just wish it hadn't taken me almost forty years to get to the point where I can confidently say that I think I am pretty good at what I do.I feel like I am at the point where I have to do something (perhaps take everyone's advice) and go on to another level beyond barely surviving. I realize that to be able to just survive from your artwork is a blessing in itself but I do need to do more.I have two full grown kids and the funny thing is that they have been telling me the same things that I have been hearing here. thanks-m

After years of hiring expensive photographers, then finally having it out with one who was my good friend. I decided a digital camera works wonders!!!!You can delete your crappy shots and!!!! you will get some good ones, even great ones. Most the photos on my brochure were taken by me!!!! I've been complimented on some of them. Who knows your work better then you.
then hand it to your web person and let them tweek it.
(my two cents) Janet R.

I would agree except for the fact that I don't have to spend a ton of money. I am lucky enough to have a freind here who is a professional photographer who not only do I trust(he has taken all of the good shots that I've posted)but he only charges me a $15 setup fee regardless of how long we are there,which is sometimes all day. I have borrowed a really nice digital camera and will post some of the pcs I've taken today after awhile.-m

thanks, it is coated with a beeswax/japan drier/linseed oil /thinner mix. I'll have to come up with something else if I ever sell it because right now it needs touched up about once a year, the heat of summer seems to have made some of the finish melt off oddly enough and then, of course, the rust finds its foothold. I hadn't meant for it to be an outdoor sculpture to begin with but it just seems happier outside.-m

p.s. Long Live the Pointy Bits!

Matt,
Cool looking piece, lots larger than it apprears. I like the rough texture look.
I have never tried you exact formular for your finish. I have used about the same but without the beeswax.
I really like the finish and I have pieces 5 or 6 years old and no problem of break down.
warren
http://www.metalrecipes.com

thanks Lynda, that's funny, I did the same thing. Took metals in my early twenties but it just didn't stick that first time. Came back to it alomost by accident in my thirties. I had my kids when I was very young,so now I am done with the chasing little kids and all of that and can actually put my energy into this.-m