Keith - Thanx for looking. In the way of tools used to make the goat...The goat itself has a 1/4" steel rod frame work. The rods are cut rough to the length i need and then mostly hand bent to fit the desired shape - the goat form starts out as a 2D outline and i build by hand from that point, to get to the 3D shape i want to represent. When i start adding steel plate to form the face, hoofs and all, i cut the forms with a Hypertherm 600 plasma cutter. The piece is then formed to shape by heat and pounding or by cold forming. The process, for me, is generally the same for all of my work, but it tends to get very difficult at times. Some of the tighter bends are much more difficult to form, but the same technique is applied.

I hope this was the answer to your question. I do use a mig and tig welder on these projects as well...Let me think of more tools: Anvil, various sized ball-peen hammers, oxy-acet heat...these are the primary tools i use for the goat.

If i have missed a point, do not hesitate to write. And thanx again for your interest.

paul

Paul,
Nice goat, and the whole piece is very interesting. I like the way you explained the way you made it. Sometimes it just does not bend right is an understatement sometimes.

Any way cool and I like the horns and hoofs.

warren
http://www.metalrecipes.com

Thanx Warren - Appreciate your feed-back. Starting 5 more animals for a public art display...this almost might extend into the "way too much bending" catagory!

paul

thanks for the explanation. so what gauge plate? is that tigged then? really a wonderful sculpture.

keith

I'm not exactly sure - but i think it might have been 16 or 18. most of the steel i used is recycled stuff i get at the junk yard. i just love the aged look and natural patinas that form on old steel. so i usually try and find that gauge steel to work with - it seems to mold and shape the best for me.

but this particular goat was all mig welded, mostly because i was short on time and the rough look of the mig welds worked into the overall flavor of the piece.

paul

Thanx Rene...I appreciate your compliment. Was looking at your work - absolutely gorgeous! wonderful craftsmanship.

paul

Thanx Adrian - Your thoughts are most appreciated. i also have to say that this is the best web site i have ever had the pleasure to belong. the free and open artistic expression, all of the thoughtful and selfless help from members...and one of the most encouraging and positive and caring groups of people i have ever had the fortune to be associated.

Thanx and cudos to all...Thank you Adrian and to all the members of ArtMetal...and thanx to QuiQue for his insight and wisdom in creating this site for artists.

Paul

Thanks Paul for the kudos! It's been awhile since we've seen you here at ArtMetal. I have always enjoyed your posts and art. The goat/oil commentary is great! I would of loved to see you put a more demonic head on the goat though. It's all about the almighty $! Hoarding, greed, and control are all becoming too evident in the world. On a positive note, it makes for powerful art...

Thanks for sharing! 

QuiQue - What a great idea about a demonic head - that would have been the icing on the cake! wish i would have thought of that. those are just the types of twists that really make a work sing and become seriously controversial and right to the point! well - next time i'll get more outside of the box and push a little harder for that twist.

Thanx for the compliments and ideas for the work...and i do mean what i said about ArtMetal - it is just fantastic!

will try and stay more in touch with everyone...i know i do not visit the site as often as i would like - thanx again for your great work and wonderful insights.. and i'm pleased to know that you enjoy my art - i'll keep it coming.

Regards,

Paul

I like it also. As a social commentary too.

Looks like he's going down for another drink.

Eric

Aside from the wonderful welded goat, The can ain't bad either! It looks like he got up "oily".

Nic East

This is an amazing piece both physically and spiritually.
I absolutely love it ! I really like the colored partial finish of the body of the goat and the usage of collage. Are they newspaper clippings? It's a really strong piece...hope there is more of this to come. janet R.

Janet - Thanx for the great complement! I do plan on doing more of these images. It is really an exciting way to make a statement. I had no idea, though, that I was going to get such a great response to the piece...it has really been rewarding to hear all of the positive feedback. Yes, a lot of the collage is made up of newspaper clippings - but there is a lot of other paper, card stock, illustrations and such, included into the body of the goat. The goat became more interesting as I added more information - almost to the point of overload.

Thanx again for your interest and will post more work as it evolves. It is currently at Gallery 208 / Fayetteville Museum of Art, along with 2 other works, in Fayetteville, NC. paul