Obelisk - 2023



Obelisk started out as a large stone incorporated into a retaining wall near the wading pool of Stonehaven quarry. When we expanded the pool, we reclaimed this piece, which was uneven and stained with a patina of rust.



Cutting away the husk to reveal an obelisk.



The finished piece is a tapering column with four nesting snake bodies rising from the base, suggesting movement and strength.



The starting point: a lichen-covered, irregular chunk of bedrock used in a retaining wall near the wading pool (large stone in upper right).



To expand the wading pool, we hauled out buckets of muck and 8 tons of rocks, boulders and tree stumps (hoe leans on obelisk stone).



Out of the wading pool among scores of other recovered stones. The long rock cracked in half during extraction. This half will be Obelisk.



Loaded on a large hand truck to transport to carving station. This side was under water and has a patina of rust from iron in muck.



Marking the first two taper cuts to remove the irregular outer portions of the stone.



Gas-powered 14-inch cutoff saw made tapered cuts. Big & heavy, but only cuts 4-1/2" deep. Cut slivers lie on ground in front of saw.



First and second sets of tapered cuts are done, giving a general obelisk feel to the stone. The patina of rust only penetrates about 1/4 inch.



The heavy cut-off saw doesn't make very smooth cuts, so am refining the facets with flush-cut blade. Water is used to cool blade.



Each facet gets further refinement with diamond grinding cups. Leaving original drill-hole remnants as reminder of its roots.



Sketching design for carving - used various size plates from kitchen as stencils. Base also retains patina of original surface.



Scoring design in first facet with diamond blade. Cut-outs in upper section are done with a diamond drum.



Carving the nested snake bodies is done with various diamond blades and grinding cups.



Carving done - ready for polishing, which will deepen the color from a light white-gray to a richer storm-gray.



Polishing done with 15, 30, 50-grits. Will go up to 3000-grit. Polishing takes longer than cutting, shaping & carving combined.



Polishing done for a deeper gray. Now adding 3 coats of stone sealer for finished sculpture.





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