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3D Foam Art “Experiments”

Colorful Details Engraved Into Styrofoam

By Phoenix Ramsdell

 

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My name is Phoenix Ramsdell and I began working with foam while I was in college studying fine art. It all started as an annoying 3D foam assignment that I tried my hardest to get out of and turned into one of the most fulfilling passions of my life. One of those typical, “stop-complaining-and-just-try-it??? stories. I explored intricate foam carving for 3 years using some questionable hand made tools before a professor suggested I look at Hot Wire Foam Factory. I have been using their tools for 2 years now and my body of work has expanded immensely since. I primarily use the Engraver tool and the Freehand Router for my work.

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Shown here are images of some of my recent foam experiments. All of my work is intuitively done with no prior planning involved. I have worked on pieces ranging in size anywhere from 8??? x 1’ – 4’ x 4’. After my carving is finished, I use several layers of acrylic paint to create additional depth. Lastly, I use a high gloss finish to give it a very organic feel. Other mediums I sometimes incorporate in my piece are fimo clays, iridescent powders, and metallic paints. I call the carvings shown here “experiments??? because I have been trying some new carving techniques, paints, and finishes on these pieces and am very excited about the direction they are taking my work.

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 Suggested tools/materials for this project:

Precision Engraver • Freehand Router • Foam Fusion