Lava Island: A sculpture by Al

Al, an artist, writer, and hermit, creates small sculptures that are realistic and incredibly detailed. On his website, he says, "It is my goal to create small sculptures that are as realistic and detailed to the greatest extent possible. I hope that you cannot tell that it is not real. Every part of my creations are and must be, handmade by me, or I cannot call it art. All of my work is one of a kind and cannot be copied or duplicated; not even by me." Go to his website www.cavemanal.com to see his creations. Reach Al at (360) 588-0827 in Anacortes, WA. Pictured is one of his tiny pieces.

This sculpture is of a small island off the lava coast of the "Big Island," Hawaii, with nine palm trees, two boats, four people, 120 fish, and other details. This creation took 537 hours to create. "Lava Island" was started November 6, 2007, and finished April 28, 2008.

The island is housed in an acrylic tube, 10" in diameter and 16" in length, closed at both ends. For the ocean water, a clear resin called "EasyCast Clear Casting Resin" was used. It took six days to pour 40.5 ounces of resin in eleven layers. The palm is made of sheepskin vellum. The trunks are wound wires covered with layers of marble dust mixed in a secret sauce, then painted. The people and fish are made of the same materials. Embedded in the ocean are 120 fish, rays, turtles, three swimming men (one floating in an inner tube), an outrigger canoe and a partially hidden treasure chest. On the island are a tent, blue boat, cooler, propane stove, fire pit, nine palm trees, a sign, and a woman sunbathing on a blanket.

The tube is supported on a koa wood stand. Al uses Novus #1 for cleaning the tube, for scratches use Novus #2 fine scratch remover. Do not use Windex or any cleaner with ammonia; it will damage the acrylic tube.