Well, here it is, try #1. I'm not exactly feeling it. These are just quick snapshots of what's going on but the last ones of the final cast object really depress me - all of them make me think of a sad turtle walking away from its feces. The little feces piece is the oculus spire that broke as I manhandled the foam mold off. It wasn't easy. I used some spray-on silicone lubricant (apparently candle-makers use it as a mold release) this time and I think it helped a bit but I'm not sure it was worth it for a couple of reasons.
For this cast I scented the wax, just to see how it'd go, with a perfume oil called "Jasmine Blossom" that I got at a soapmaking studio in Toronto. Not the most genuine or subtle scent but whatever. Anyhow the lube also had its own chemically fake citronella scent and the combined odour is pretty potent. The thing is I can't tell if it's more one or the other and I keep thinking about how bad the silicone spray must be to breathe in.
So reason 1 is the smell. Reason 2 is I think it kind of reacts with the wax at the surface and makes tiny little bubbles. I was hoping for a smoother finish. But those might just be from air in the foam itself. I don't know... In any case, those issues aren't really that big of a deal - I'm not so happy with final product simply because it's pretty dinky and lacks any sort of presence. And considering the amount of time and money that will go into each one (of 12!), I'm trying to figure out what it is I need to change or do differently, both conceptually and with the making process.
On a positive note I might be getting a 3d plastic print of the mold on Monday. Fingers crossed and wood touched!
