1. Starting as a 4 ton onyx boulder unearthed in Baja California, Mexico, the rock was cut in half on a 10’ diameter saw, creating the two elements that will eventually be joined together. These two pieces were then brought to Art City in Ventura, CA to be carved.
1. Starting as a 4 ton onyx boulder unearthed in Baja California, Mexico, the rock was cut in half on a 10’ diameter saw, creating the two elements that will eventually be joined together. These two pieces were then brought to Art City in Ventura, CA to be carved. 2. The largest circles the stone will yield are drawn on the sawn surface of each face; each half will become one side of the final sculpture. 3. The natural features in the onyx are examined to assess the difficulty of the carve. 4. As shaping begins, a domed surface starts to become apparent. Areas of interest or in question are preserved for later development. 5. As the basic lens shapes are roughed out, features start to emerge from the surface. 6. At each stage of the process, long periods are spent in contemplation, allowing the stone to direct the sculptor and vice versa. 7. At the point where the outside of the lens is determined, the stone is flipped and hollowed to a thickness of 1 to 2 inches. These thin shells will allow maximum translucency while maintaining structural integrity. 8. The finished stones are ready to be shipped to the next stop, the foundry at SJSU in San Jose, CA. Here the structural steel parts and bronze casting will be completed. 9. Sculpted wax is custom fit to the stone, following the features exactly. Through the lost wax process the ring will be transformed to bronze. This ring will work with an internal welded steel chassis to support the stones back to back. 10. The complete set of parts which make up Baja Luna.

Baja Luna the making of


1. Starting as a 4 ton onyx boulder unearthed in Baja California, Mexico, the rock was cut in half on a 10’ diameter saw, creating the two elements that will eventually be joined together. These two pieces were then brought to Art City in Ventura, CA to be carved.