Tenleymayfield’s Weblog

Over the weekend, I experimented with the resin, which I will use to make a positive mold for my senior thesis project. After researching different types of resin, I made the decision to use a resin and a catalyst from Michael’s store. Resin is extremely expensive, so I bought a medium priced brand for testing purposes.  Used a small plastic mold that in the end will turn into a birch mold that will hold the cameras. There are two different processes for getting the molds ready for the resin. First you have to decide if you need to cast in layers or all at once. There are ratios for the catalyst that make this decision important. For every 8 ounces of resin used there must be 40 drops of catalyst for a solid pour. For pouring in layers, the first layer gets 5 drops per ounce and the second layer gets 4 drops per ounce. You also have to decide which process will work better for the object that you are trying to cast in the resin. I chose to do a sold pour, which worked. The problem that I will try solving over the next week will be to figure out how to make the sides of the end product smother than they turned out in this experiment. I ended up completing two molds because practice does not hurt in these experiments.  Below are some images of the process and the end product. 

As I promised myself, I am staying true to my semester long to do list for my senior thesis project. Week 2 and week 3- work with resin and catalyst. The supplies that I chose to work with are: 1. Castin’ Craft Clear liquid plastic casting resin 2. Castin’ Craft Catalyst (Hardening agent). 3. Castin’ Craft clear molds. 4. Freeman wax release. 5. Cheap throw away.  Resin. Catalyst. Wax.  Molds. Object. Over the weekend, I started working on a prototype for the project mentioned in the previous blog. The process of using resin is delicate and is generally completed in steps (layers). So now, I am struggling with how I am going to stabilize the camera inside the mold- in order to have camera (2 pieces) centered in mold prior to addition of resin and after application. The mold that will hold the resin and the camera until resin is dry, is a mold made out of birch wood. The box is not my larger than the camera itself, but it is large enough to cover camera in resin all around.  The starting process of using the resin is to figure out the ratio between resin and catalyst (instructions for catalyst come with item). The second step is to wax the mold on the inside with the Freeman Wax release. Depending on how large the item and mold are, the settling and drying time will vary. Now, over the next week, I will be focusing solely on working with East Tech so I can finish cutting the cameras.

So, a couple of days ago I gave a presentation in one of my Graphic Design classes. The presentation covered my work thus far regarding my senior thesis show. While I am I still thinking about portfolios, I have to kick this project into motion. I was given some great feedback regarding the project, which definitely got my wheels turning. Some of the key words that I took from the feedback were seduction and fetishistic! These words came about from my idea of showing camera guts to the audience via sawing the cameras in half. I started thinking about encompassing the sawn in half cameras in something that would preserve them and make then available to be touched and moved by the viewer. So I started researching clear polyurethane resin. I went and completed research at a local company who specializes in negative molds, while I need a positive mold. The trip to the company was extremely informative regarding the process of using resin, wax and specific woods for molds, and also how to keep the object steady and fixed while pouring the resin into mold. Over the next few weeks I will be playing with different molds, resin, shapes, sizes, and colors in order to figure out the best way to encompass this project for the best overall output. I have already started thinking about size. Should the final object be square so the viewer can see all six sides? Should it be round? How will it live in its space? For the next two weeks, I will be exploring the world of resin. I have placed an image of one of the cameras that I will be using. This camera is already cut in half, but has not met its partner, resin.

Spring semester of my senior year has approached very fast. I find myself stressing out about the things/days/thoughts/deadlines that seemed like a century away. But, now they are here. So many decisions! Do I graduate and then try to get a job in my career field? Do I keep the job I currently have and apply to graduate school? Do I sleep for a couple of months? Do I know what I really want to do with myself for the next couple of years? What about my senior thesis show that I have to complete. There is also an individual study class that I am enrolled in that I have to complete a show for. Although I would like to focus all my time on these two projects there are so many other items that are on my plate. I will have to find time to regulate all these items and make sure that I have plenty of time to spend on each one. Of all the questions that keep floating around in my mind, graduate school lingers the most. Over the past six years, I have grown a strong passion/want for a couple of states that I have visited along with the photographs I have produced while visiting. Some of these states include Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, Colorado and Idaho. The two states that I have been most interested in are Montana and Oregon. I have chosen to start the application process for a graduate degree at both the University of Montana and the University of Oregon. So, for now, I am thinking portfolio, portfolio, and portfolio.