JR pretty strong looking dragon. I made one too once. Your are correct on how you feel that desire to make it in action. How are you going to clad the body?

Warren,
Yea, I think everyone's made one too... once. I know it looks strong... I went a little overboard on the armature steel. To answer your question, I'm going to attach underbelly scales, overlapping from tail to chin. Top-side, I'll texture 18G using a ball peen, then cut, shape and attach separate body part's skin. However, before I do any exterior clad welding, I think I need to trade in my flux-core arcwelder for a Miller 140 MIG w/argon tank. Right now I'm making a mess, and crappy looking welds. I think partly because my present welder only has "high" and "low" settings, and I can't fine-tune the heat.

My dragonYeah welding can be the fun part. I still live by the O/A torch. I find it the most resourceful. Here is what I did.
warren
http://www.geocities.com/copper1002000/

Enrique,

After visiting your website, and concluding that it is the most fantastic metal art website I have ever visited, I feel humbled by your mastery, honored by your comments, and thankful for your encouragement. I spent hours enjoying your wonderful works, and even longer reading the comprehensive process. In addition, you're a hell of writer... perhaps even a poet! Thank you for sharing your extensive knowledge and your philosophical perspectives.

I took an introductory (3-Saturday) metal art class which covered just the bare basics. I wanted to get started on my own before having to complete any more classes, but after seeing your masterpieces, I know now that I definitely need more formal education in this medium.

You're right, the dragon does have an extensive, rich, and dramatic history. And yes, as you say, "the dragon has so many symbols which relate to our personal lives." I do find certain (maybe too many) aspects of my own personality in the beast. I think that's why I chose it for my first solo piece.

And yes, I am having fun... not to mention, a meaningful experience! It is my pleasure to bring back old memories... and you are the catalyst for wonderful future remembrances.

Thank you, J.R.

PS: Rick C. is right, Destragon is one bad-ass dragon!

John,

Thank you for your comments. This dragon is the very first piece I started working on about a year ago. This is where I did most of my learning and most of my mistakes. To answer your question, I brazed on the dragon's spinal spikes. That's the coloring you'r seeing. I have been working very slowly and sparatically on the ol' dragon. Here's the latest in-progress pix. I'm not all that proud of it, as I have found other subject matter that I have found much more meaningful and rewarding.

J.R.