PETITE ROBOTS

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In my last post of 2016 I wanted to show you some petite robots that I recently made. I have a thing for robots and you can see a past robot project here. These little darlings were intended to be high end ornaments for a gallery. After all these years of working with metal and doing photo-etching, apparently, I still don't have a sense of how much time it will take to complete a project. While these robots were meant to sell for around $100 in a gallery, by the time I had the last rivet hammered into place, I had way too much time invested in them. I couldn't really afford to place them in the gallery, especially considering that I get 50% of the retail price. In the end, my two sisters each got a robot for Christmas and my friend, Zo, was gifted one on the solstice .... and lucky me .... I got to keep three.


BE SURE TO CLICK ON THIS IMAGE TO SEE THE PETITE ROBOTS LARGER AND IN ALL THEIR GLORY!

It's not shown in this photo but each robot was equipped with a chain, attached at the shoulders, for hanging on the tree or a wall. Mine will hang as a small group on the wall year round.



The petite robots measure approximately 6.5" tall x 2.5" wide (not including the chain). Each is photo etched, using salt water and a car battery charger, on either brass, copper or nickel. The arms and legs are made from tubing and everything is assembled with tiny rivets. A light coat of lacquer will keep tarnish at bay.

The petite robots and I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a sweet new year filled to overflowing with creativity, laughter, excellent health and a child-like wonder. We are surrounded by beauty all the time ... everyday ... let's open our eyes to it in 2017.

PS....I mentioned earlier in this post that my two sisters each received a robot for Christmas. I just received an email from my sister, Mary, who lives in TN. All her grown kids were home for the holidays and apparently the whole family had a grand time naming her robot. I love it that creativity on my part started this whole endeavor and then followed that little robot all the way to Tennessee where creativity continued in sorting out a name. Here is the email she sent me.

It turns out that the naming of a robot is no simple task. Like all important projects, we started with information gathering.


I had such fun watching the jar fill. I am including the list of names (in no particular order) in case you are ever faced with such a daunting task!
Alfred
Rowbert
Ulysses
Nudaleigh
Omni
Robot E. Lee
Baymax II
Spark Gable
Stuart
Charge Lewis
Robot De Niro
Botsworth
Stanley
Quentin
Chargley
Dopey
Stuart, Stu-bot, or Steve
Metal head
Botsey
Ganlebot x 5
Rory the Robot
Boz
RP7U
Andreas Weslean Leganza v2.0

Honestly, I could name a host of robots with these excellent names. I tried out a few several days at a time. I have several favorites. You can see what we settled on below.


Ulysses of Homer fame. It turns out there is an Ithaca connection in the history of Ulysses which makes it even more fun. (Mary's son , Andrew, is working on his graduate degree at Cornell in Ithaca.)
If you use any of these excellent names to name anything, please share it with us. Honestly, this is the best list ever from clever, fun, honest, loving people. Love to all, best wishes always, and Happy 2017

Mom/Mary

ROWBOTS

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ROWBOTS ... no ... that's not a mispelling. My ROWBOTS are all about water ... and boats ... and oars ... etc.

The ROWBOT ROWING CLUB is looking for new members. Stanley and Otis are recruiting robots of all sizes, strengths and gear ratios. While we strive for an autonomous environment, occasionally human intervention is necessary for adjusting vertical stroke and gear ratios. Each new member will receive an overall inspection, joint lubrication with a water displacement formula, and a t-shirt. Come join the growing community of ROWBOTS.
For more info contact zeb@rowbotswithknees.org

As I worked on these guys, I fell deep into the world of robots ... and in the spirit of research, I finally had to start my own collection of smallish reproduction robots. I am totally enamored with their shapes and colors and with the shadow that is cast on the wall by using a small flashlight at night while I sit on my couch ... totally enchanting. I even found myself making up stories about how they had to organize a bake sale to earn money for going to Nationals ... I think there could be a children's book in there somewhere.

I made these ROWBOATS for a show at BAINBRIDGE ARTS AND CRAFTS titled, TOYING AROUND. This exhibition will be open from Feb. 5th through Feb. 28th and features the following artists: Morgan Brig, Lynn Brunelle, Megan Drew, Garth Edwards, Jeannie Grisham, Solia Hermes, Sandi Hurd, Linda Jarvis, Don MacLane, Mary McInnis, Shane Miller, Carl Morgan, Gregg Onewein, Loran Scruggs, Raquel Stanek, and Kamilla White.


Stanley is photo etched nickel and stands approx. 11" tall and is 4.5" from shoulder to shoulder. His arms and legs are made from a zigzag metal folding ruler. It was important to me that the robots should be able to sit ... so they needed knees ... and to be articulated in a way that would make rowing possible ... or even getting into a boat possible. That was achieved by using threaded rod and washers and acorn type nuts. There were many trips to the hardware store ... on one particular day, I remember going 5 times ... whew!


Stanley's backside.


Stanley from the side.


Otis is photo etched copper and stands about 9.5 inches tall. Since this photo was taken, Otis now has a spiral copper wire as a finial head dress ... making him even more robot looking. His arms and legs are articulated using, again, a zigzag ruler ... this one is made of wood.


A close-up of Otis from the front.


The backside of Otis.


Otis from the side.


Here is an image taken at the gallery with Otis wearing his new head topper.


... and last but not least is an image of the ROWBOTS sent through a special filter ...could this be the beginning of the illustrated ROWBOT children's book ... stay tuned.