First let me apologize for the lead in and many pics. I did it to tell the story and show the detail on this horn.
This was a custom horn my art teacher from high school ordered from me last November. I first started work on the horn back in march but projects and family took precedence for a bit. She is giving it to her husband for their 42nd wedding anniversary on December 20th. She wanted to incorporate as much of them as possible into the horn. It took some time but the plan was to use elements from their house and two portraits of their dogs on the horn as well as their names and a marker for the 42 years together.
After some consultation...since i do not do portraits.... she decided on an F&I lobed horn so I convinced her to go with a more appropriate style of art. what follows is the culmination of a lot of time and scratching....both my head and the horn. i hope you all like the result. i will be taking it to Carlisle, PA with me the end of this week so any attending can get a first hand look at it.
On to the specs. The horn is 14 1/2 inches lobe to tip on the inside curve and 17 inches on the outside curve. the base is 2 3/4 inches across and plugged with cherry using 4 wooden pins. the stopper is also of cherry. i used the Dk brown Just for men treatment on the throat and Rit dye for the body (Golden Yellow, tangerine and a pinch or two of dk brn). The whole horn was antiqued with Scott Sibley's walnut stain/black powdered tempera paint treatment then a coat of beeswax and buffed to a shine.
OK...on to the pics...Enjoy and critique away!!
The horn as it was back in March
Two reference pictures of the fence around her house. you will see elements of it in the borders.
As it is now
Now you will see some fence elements along with English ivy which grows all around her house and I used it as filler
Now the dogs which we worked into a crest of sorts with their names.
For the outside curve...A cartouche with 42 years (of marriage) and the gate to the fence and finally their front door.
For the top border...more fence elements and MUNCY PENNA for muncy pennsylvania, their hometown for all of their lives.
Finally...whew!! The throat treatment...CV engrailing then round to two raised rings and flats for the front.
YES...THIS IS THE END!!!
