I love my standing desk.

Progressing nicely… I just finished adjusting the angle of the base so that the sculpture is more centered and better balanced. Rather than it being perfectly vertical, it will tilt to center slightly, resulting in a more stable form. Primary focus now is getting the shape right. After that’s done I’ll finish tapering the back..

Timeline cleanser

The final sculpture is going to be elegant rather than chunky.. and so yesterday I removed a LOT of stone. Next I’ll create a curve between the two different levels you see in the photo. The idea here is to keep a larger footprint so that the final result is more stable.

So here’s a fun little exercise: Think about a sculpture you know, Michelangelo’s David for example. Now try to think about how much stone had to be removed to reveal the intended design. Often there’s more stone taken away, than remains in the finished work.

Tapering begins…⚒️₿

Can anyone recommend a good zero-drop, wide toe work boot, preferably with a steel toe? I’ve switched over to zero-drop for all my footwear, but I can’t find anything heavy duty that’s comparable to my normal work boots.🥾

Can’t decide which side I like better. Orange calcite is a pain to work with but it’s such a beautiful stone. And once I get to the sanding and polishing phase the appearance will change again. What you’re seeing here is just after spraying some water.

Bitcoin goes up. Bitcoin goes down. Its monetary policy, however, the bedrock of hope upon which we are building a brighter future… that my friends, will always remain immutable.

Progress continues but still a ways to go. Almost time to break out some more interesting tools, but still have some shaping left with my trusty angle grinder. Why no hammer and chisel? Due to its more brittle nature, orange calcite doesn’t play nice with traditional tools. One wrong blow of the hammer and big pieces of stone could fracture right off. So with stones like this, diamond blades and grinding wheels are the most viable option. Part of why I love stone sculpting, and why it fits so well with Bitcoin art, is obviously the proof of work required. Initially I was hesitant to use angle grinders and the like, dismissing them as almost cheating or a short cut.. but the reality is far from it. In most cases, power tools do allow you to move more quickly, but I’ve found the strain on the body to be similar, and in some ways worse. There’s no getting around the expenditure of energy. And I think that’s a good thing. ⚒️₿

Concrete and copper 🤌

For anyone curious, this is how I lift and maneuver 700+ lbs of stone. Engine hoist + hydraulic cart 👇

As I work, I am reminded to accept the impermanence of all things while striving for that which will endure. This sculpture, much like the blocks of Bitcoin, is more than an artifact; it's a dialogue with time, a testament to the idea that what we build now can echo through the ages. Through my hands, I am not simply creating; I am echoing the wisdom of the past, sculpting not for applause but for the quiet satisfaction of having contributed to something monumental. In the solitude of my studio, I am creating for generations to come, much like those who first understood the value of stone, of legacy, of Bitcoin. In this, I find my purpose, my peace, my place in the tapestry of time.

One of the things I’ve learned as an artist and especially as someone who usually works in stone… is to embrace accidents. I made this version of “Awakening” out of concrete a while ago and finally decided to offer it to a private collector. And of course it accidentally falls over and the eyelid chips. The old me would have written it off. Instead I chose to embrace the imperfections and even create a few more, and then highlight them with copper leaf. I’ve been a fan of Daniel Arsham’s work and this definitely takes some inspiration from his pieces with the embedded crystals. I need to touch up the copper a bit, but I’m glad I didn’t write this piece off. I think it’s far better than it was originally. What do you think of this?

#5 out of 21 is on it’s way to Australia! These are bronze reproductions of my first sculpture in marble and I still have a few numbers in the series available.. If you’re looking to add to your Bitcoin art collection, reach out and let me know!

Bit by bit. Starting to take shape. ⚒️₿

Back to work ⚒️

Making quick progress. Now to break out the engine hoist and lay it down flat.. then I’ll cut away the major chunks on the bottom and left side. This is the “roughing out” phase, which tends to go more quickly. I’m removing the stone I don’t need while leaving myself a healthy safety margin that I’ll approach later on in the process.

And so it begins.. ⚒️

Today is a monumental day for me. I’ll begin the carving process in earnest on this block of orange honeycomb calcite. This private commission marks my largest undertaking so far. Feel free to drop any questions, and look out for progress updates. Time to get dusty!