Still Making Time

So, finally, I've finished another clock and this baby is special because this is the first custom clock mechanism I ever constructed. It's taken me this long to teach myself all the skills to build the rest of the clock...

Here's my post about building the mechanism here - FLIPPING CUCKOO.

I built the mechanism, wired it, designed it, painted it and, well, did everything.

 I wanted this one to be a little bit special because it was the first so while all the other Wood of Kings clocks have been black so far this baby is white. What's more it features a new header I've molded - an owl. And I've also used the new winged skull I designed. And the Wood of Kings logo that I designed using Inkscape and had laser cut by the fine people at Ponoko.

I'm so proud of this chronometer and it gives me huge pleasure to share the finished product with you.

"Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in."

-Henry David Thoreau.

Object of Desire

I'll be honest with you I've been coveting this for a long time and I finally decided to bite the bullet and order one. 

Josh Harker for those of you that don't know of him is a very talented man.This Chicago-based artist launched a Kickstarter project to fund the creation of his 3D-printed ornate skulls - going against the conventional route of selling via a gallery. This filigree skull began life as an automatic drawing by Josh, whose illustrations are so complex that he didn’t think he could ever render them into sculptures. Then he discovered 3D polymer printing and, voilà, a high-tech object that looks like a medieval memento mori was born. Sized to nestle in your palm, it’s such an intriguing piece that it is - to date - the most-funded art project to ever appear on Kickstarter. And I freaking LOVE it!  

Today mine arrived in the post so I'd like to share the joy I had of unwrapping this true object of beauty. It warms my heart to know there are artists out there embracing technology and producing art that is within the reach of common mud-dwellers like yours truly. 

Isn't it gorgeous?

You can visit Josh Harker's webpage by clicking HERE

Welcome Back

Hello All,

Welcome back to the Wood of Kings. I've been a bit busy lately taking care of a theatrical mouse but exciting things are still happening here in the Wood. 

I've been making some more castings for my Cuckoo Clocks. These two little skullish beauties are just the tip of the iceberg.

Hopefully soon I'll be able to post some pictures of my latest insane creation - the Flip Cuckoo Clock. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE CLOCKS

As my regular visitors will know I love a good abandoned couch. I literally cannot drive past one without photographing it. 

So the good news is I have now found a use for all these pictures. I've published a photography book of abandoned couches called - imaginatively - Abandoned Couches.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COUCHES

For any new guests here are a few treats from my recent mad adventures.

TIME TRAVEL

BOOK BURNING

TERRIFYING PLAYGROUNDS

BATH TUB FUN

GUN BUILDING

DRUNKEN TRAVELS

Anyway these clocks aren't going to build themselves. Keep checking in I'll try to keep my updates more regular. 

Cheers,

Nick. 

Behold a Golden Couch

It started with a single cushion propped up against a tree at the side of the world. Like a herald signaling that something was approaching from a short distance.  

So over the last few days I've had another birthday woosh by. But the universe is kind and during this time I have also stumbled over a parade of abandoned couches. 


And you, my regular visitors, know how much I love the beautiful ennui of the abandoned couch. 


The first one I spotted was on state highway one in Foxton (the foxy town). I almost kept driving but in the end I backtracked to snap off a few shots. 

While I was busy clicking off shots this the owner of the house came out - a large woman in her dressing gown - and I asked me what I was doing. To be honest it was a difficult to explain. I just feel compelled to capture them on film. Like the lifespan of the mayfly or the blossoming of the mighty rotting corpse lily the existence of the abandoned couch is fleeting. 


I have discovered that if I don't photograph them the minute I see them they will be gone. I might think to myself "I'll take the picture on my way back" but by the time I return the couch will always have vanished. Having mysteriously moved on to the haberdashery graveyard. 


The next couch I spotted was in Auckland, hidden down a road I very rather travel. Across the street from the house of a woman I once kissed and then never kissed again.  

Finally the last couch appeared outside the church hall in Kingsland where they have the Craftbomb fairs.

There was a pretty spectacular FREE sign on this one. 

As J. Alfred Prufrock measured his life in coffee spoons maybe I am measuring my life in abandoned furniture. Which begs the question - am I documenting them or are they documenting me? 


"It is better for you to be free of fear lying upon a pallet, than to have a golden couch and a rich table and be full of trouble." - Epicurus.