Week of the Mioplosus/ Mini Ray

It's hard to believe that I am still working on fossil fish projects from last year. Before I can start on new projects I must complete those that are incomplete. This week I tried to catchup to those unfinished projects from 08.

I completed two Mioplosus this week, the first about 9 inches was broken, so I backed it with birch plywood and filled the seams, the second is @12 inches and is enlayed on a banded plate.

I couldn't resist in finishing this tiny sting ray. It was one of our best finds this summer.

Thankisgiving"Flutist"

Tis the season to be thankful!
In the wilds of Wyoming we have to resort to the resources at hand. The native American's of this area might use the Flutist to describe their happiness and thanksgiving to nature for the wonders of cration and all good things in their lives.

As I was digging fossils this summer I came across these ash layers of rocks which have an interesting pattern.They were to well designed by mother nature to discard. So here is my native American view for these rocks, that were colored by volcanic ash layers. We should all blow our trumpets loud and strong in praise for the blessings from our creator.

The blessings of abundance and the challenge of the hunt.

Ray completion

The ray project has finally reached completion!
It is so exciting to find such a specimen as a 50 to 55 million year old fossil even if it is broken and torn into pieces. With a little glue, paint and patience one can make a broken piece look fairly good. What was once broken is now one piece with two fracture lines restored, the torn away parts have been filled and painted. I will have to put the final seal on the entire piece.

It is hard to even imagine this ray swam around in a lake only forty miles from where I live. Fossil Lake provided a home for the world's best preserved fossil fish.

Completion,first mural complete

After near six weeks of gathering,sizing, cuting, cleaning, gluing,framing, and sealing this project is complete.There are still options as to hanging or using a n easel. At present I am leaning toward hanging it centered on the wall directly behind the mural. I think the chevon design of the wall behind will enhance the view of the mural.

Now I have full appreciation of the time and tallents that is necessary to complete such a project. The larger the scale the more time is needed, along with other considerations, such as, weight, wall size and stud spacings.

Time progression of two projects

The mural progressed from the rough cuts to final stages. Final cuts,gluing to the backer board, grouting the joints between tile, cutting the mural  and the intial stages of framing. Once framed the wood and mural will be sealed and ready for showing.

The ray came together well. It was glued to a backer board, materials were cut and added to the bottom so the tail could be reattached. Then we prepared patch materials to fill in the places that were peeled; parts of the vertebrae, and the central part of the disk. Lucky that 98% of the disk is in good shape. Put a simple frame around the plate, now we need to touch up the patched areas with acyrillic paints. We will then seal the plate and the wooden frame.

Recent projects

After quarrying all summer,it took a few days to put things away. Organization helps to prioritize projects. It is nice to have stacks of projects ranging in sizes and shape. Some are so perfectly fossilized they need no preparation. While others require a timely bit of restoration.
In the past month I worked on my first mural, a collection of thirty two pieces; including fossil fish of four different species,two eocene fossilized leaves, one fossilzed aquatic plant and spacer tile of various sizes.
An associate gave us the peel side of a sting ray. The plate requires backing, glueing, restoration, sealing and framing.

The pictures are project still roughed out but nearing completion. Will post final views at a later date.