To create the color filled cholla slices requires several time consuming steps. First the lengths if cholla skeleton are cleaned of all dirt and foreign matter like spider webs, sticks and leaves, etc. The length of cholla is then sealed with masking tape, leaving one end open to pour the resin in. Tinted resin or solid color can be used for different effects. I found it convenient to place the cholla lengths in a can or cup to hold them upright while filling with resin.
After the resin has set (I usually left them for several days to be sure) the masking tape was pealed off and the lengths sawed into appropriate thickness disks. Most of the smaller pieces I make use a 5/8 inch thick segment. The segments are now ready to be adhered to the art piece's surface.
My plastic vessel had flat sides which made it easier to adhere cholla segments on one entire side at a time. Some of the segments should extend past the edge 5/8 inch and other should align with the edge so that when the adjacent side is filled the segments will mismatch like the corner of a log house. A light gray resin with chopped fiberglass added to produce the thicken grout was placed between the segments. The surfaces were sanded flat and smooth and the oak ring shaped on the wood lathe and adhered to the top was flattened in line with each side. This resulted in a octagon ring at the top with softened corners. The bottom was coated with cholla segments and shaped to continue the surface of each side
Sanding, an oil finish and paste wax resulted in the piece shown below; :Cholla Heaven".
CHOLLA HEAVEN e-PXlll
More detail can be found on my art at my website <www.apatchablue.com>
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