On a wet and wild Wellington day I took the steep and narrow
Paekak Hill Road to visit artist, Joelle Mills. But before we began
bashing stone, Joelle made us what in my opinion should become a
'National Treasure', right next to the Buzzy Bee and the afghan
biscuit - the Flat White. Most countries in the world like coffee
but only New Zealand actually wants to marry it. The 'not
too frothy, not too milky' Flat White has the perfect coffee
to aerated milk ratio, unlike it's European cousin, the fluffy,
foamy cappuccino or the lactose burpy latte.
Apparently the milk splits into two parts once steamed and it's
about using the heavier stuff below and just enough of the light
fluff on top. My coffee was chaperoned by a homebaked gingerbread
biscuit with big ginger icing eyes, willing me to eat it.
We put on old clothes and a beanie to catch the dust, plus masks
to block the dust-mist that thickened with every chisel strike.
Joelle gave me a block to start and I drew the outline of a koru
(core element from Maori design) in pencil. Next step was to chisel
away roughly that shape from one side to the other. I started
tentatively, worried one wrong strike and I'd be out but as my
confidence grew I started walloping the rubber mallet on the chisel
and seeing my block take shape.
Next we had to cut off the sides with a big saw so it was wider
at the base to give it stability. Then it was all about sanding
with rough gritted paper to give the whole thing a nice curve. I
mustn't have quite understood the concept since Jo brought out a
finished piece, explaining that sometimes it helps to see the final
product. My mouth hit the floor, the piece she'd been demonstrating
on was obviously a reject and as my eyes traced the delicate
perfectly formed curve of her design and then crossed back to my
stumpy hacked block it was like the college graduate being compared
to the kindergarten kid. I had bucketloads of enthusiasm but not a
grain of refinery.
There was no going back so I carried on with my first stone
sculpture and once the detail of the uncurling fern was applied the
whole thing was a lot prettier. Then it was time to cut away the
corners to give the whole piece a more rounded look. Unfortunately
mine was looking more Noch Less Monster than unfurling frond but
still I sanded on.
Once the shape was about right it was time to carve out the
detail and the whole thing started to come together. Quite proud of
my finished object Joelle laughed and said 'you've still got to
do the other side'. Two sides done and arms shaking from
the exertion my sculpture was dipped in silicon to waterproof it.
It might not be a professional saleable item but it was mine and I
had a whole new appreciation for people who carve a living from
this trade.
Here's a few examples of Joelle's incredible lifesize
commissioned sculptures:
Joelle's art studio is at 24 Wellington Road, Paekakariki, 40
minutes north of Wellington in New Zealand. If you're in the
neighbourhood call by and you will most likely see her working away
through the window that faces the street.
