A little more back tracking this evening. This piece is called Weeping Sun and was done in 2004. It is about 3 feet tall. This was my first ever welding project. The water heater came from our yard when our well died and we had to go to city water. Originally I had hoped to make it into a revolving Prayer Wheel and fill it with the Jewel of the Lotus Hum Prayers. I still have not given up on this idea but have to rethink it and am currently stewing. I have put the prayer wheel idea into my unresolved art file for the time being.
The reason for calling this piece Weeping Sun is that in the process of creating this piece I got zinc poisoning which is normally associated with birds and small mammals (cats and dogs). I also had to undergo a heavy metal toxin test because I was ILL ILL ILL. So, note to other artists: DO NOT USE GALVANIZED METAL FOR WELDING PROJECTS, NO MATTER HOW ATTRACTIVE THE MATERIAL IS WITHOUT A RESPIRATOR!!!! Not too much fun.. zinc poisoning. This project taught me why 1) you should always pull up the hazardous materials sheets BEFORE you start a project, and 2) why all artists should own a good respirator. It also made me do some serious reflection about why artists seem to go crazy and die young. Most of the materials we use can kill us or make us loose our minds. In case you don’t know what zinc poisoning is (and I sure didn’t) here are the symptoms:
Zinc phosphide. Zinc phosphide causes severe irritation if ingested. It reacts with water and stomach juices to release phosphine gas which can enter the blood stream and affect the lungs, liver, kidneys, heart and central nervous system. Zinc phosphide is easily absorbed through the skin or inhaled from fumes. With repeated exposure, it accumulates in the body to dangerous levels.
Signs and symptoms of mild zinc phosphide poisoning include diarrhea and stomach pains. In more severe cases, nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, excitement, coldness, unconsciousness, coma and death can occur from pulmonary edema and liver damage. There is no antidote for zinc phosphide poisoning. It is a slow-acting material, which gives the victim time to get medical help.
THANK GOD…FOR THE TIME TO GET MEDICAL HELP THAT IS. I felt awful (weepy) and didn’t get better for weeks. I have yet to try another water heater.
Oxy Acetylene Welding Cheat Sheet (ON)
Oxy Acetylene Welding Cheat Sheet (OFF)
Weeping Sun Original Sketch
Weeping Sun Awake Full (2004)
Weeping Sun Asleep Full (2004)
Weeping Sun Sides Close up (2004)
