crabfossilsteve Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Recently, I did some prep work on a couple of specimens that may turn out to be new crab species. This prep work was done in exchange for some trade specimens that I didn't have in my collection. As part of the trades, my new friend generous provided a starfish fossil. This starfish specimen was loose and a small part of one arm was missing. Since I prefer specimens in the matrix, decided to try to mount the specimen in some matrix. However, since I didn't have matrix from the location, my friend later provided a slab with some oysters in it. Apparently, starfish are often found (when found) in association with oysters. Both sets of specimens needed some preparation. After prepping and reconstructing the missing part of the starfish and the oyster plate, I excavated and molded a spot for the starfish. Wanted to be able to remove the starfish so you could look at the oral side. This starfish shows its madreporite and the small spines on the oral side. Very cool. I recognize that this was a created association, however, it represents an association found in natural environment of the locale. Hopefully, this plate falls within the preparation category. Finished this work in May. Wish I had taken pics of the befores and afters...Argg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Nice looking piece, Steve. Regards, Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ptychodus04 Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Looks good. Regards, Kris Global Paleo Services, LLC https://globalpaleoservices.com http://instagram.com/globalpaleoservices http://instagram.com/kris.howe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darktooth Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Very good work! It looks amazing! I like Trilo-butts and I cannot lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabfossilsteve Posted May 25, 2017 Author Share Posted May 25, 2017 Thanks guys for your comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossisle Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 8 hours ago, crabfossilsteve said: Recently, I did some prep work on a couple of specimens that may turn out to be new crab species. This prep work was done in exchange for some trade specimens that I didn't have in my collection. As part of the trades, my new friend generous provided a starfish fossil. This starfish specimen was loose and a small part of one arm was missing. Since I prefer specimens in the matrix, decided to try to mount the specimen in some matrix. However, since I didn't have matrix from the location, my friend later provided a slab with some oysters in it. Apparently, starfish are often found (when found) in association with oysters. Both sets of specimens needed some preparation. After prepping and reconstructing the missing part of the starfish and the oyster plate, I excavated and molded a spot for the starfish. Wanted to be able to remove the starfish so you could look at the oral side. This starfish shows its madreporite and the small spines on the oral side. Very cool. I recognize that this was a created association, however, it represents an association found in natural environment of the locale. Hopefully, this plate falls within the preparation category. Finished this work in May. Wish I had taken pics of the befores and afters...Argg. Holey Moley Steve that is cool!! Cephalopods rule!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabfossilsteve Posted May 26, 2017 Author Share Posted May 26, 2017 Thanks Rick. Hope you've been hitting the fossils this Spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 I would say that you did one heck of a quality prep on that one steve! Looks very natural. Nice job. RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doushantuo Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 Steve,man ,give it up.That plate is so poor,it beggars belief. Donate to an overseas(e.g.European) charity is what i say The world should be rid of shoddy work like this,no craftsmanship whatsoever in evidence here. I'd be VERY willing to sacrifice my retinas and have this monstrosity at home,in a prominent spot. AS a reminder of what we humans are capable of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 I have mixed feelings on this one. First I want to say- it is an absolutely wonderful prep and insertion job!! The sea star is a fantastic piece (Can We see the underside?) and does look nice with the association. But the "purist" in Me shoulders at the thought of the artificial nature of the piece. (At least it is better than the stuff from Morocco!) Respectfully, Tony Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabfossilsteve Posted June 1, 2017 Author Share Posted June 1, 2017 RJB, doushantuo and ynot. Thanks alot for your kind comments on my prep work. I was very happy with how this piece turned out. It says alot to get hight praise from the great and wonderful RB...Thanks. ynot, I do understand your purist outlook. I knew going in on this one, I might receive the boooos from the purist....ha ha. Not sure I care for the comparisons with the Moroccan stuff though. Oh well, can't please everyone. What I was after was a natural looking piece. I like it........ha ha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 4 hours ago, crabfossilsteve said: I might receive the boooos from the purist....ha ha. Not sure I care for the comparisons with the Moroccan stuff though. Only a small boo Morocco was the only place that came to mind. (Be thankful it was not the China fakes that popped in there.) Your piece is a very nice piece, and I intended no offence, just trying to be truthful. 4 hours ago, crabfossilsteve said: What I was after was a natural looking piece. I like it. That is all that really maters! Tony PS would still like to see a picture of the underside of the seastar. Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goatinformationist Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 Yep, science AND art = synergy and enlightenment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabfossilsteve Posted June 2, 2017 Author Share Posted June 2, 2017 Hey ynot, No problem..Really. I only took a very small offense...ha ha. Since I think alot of fossil prep work involves some artistry, I appreciate the aesthetic of fossils and much prefer my fossils in matrix. I was trying to be truthful by saying upfront that the piece was an amalgam. Goatinformationist, I think you captured the idea. My background is in the biological sciences with emphasis on evolutionary biology and with a large element in art. I'll try to take some shots of the oral side of the starfish and put them up. Enjoying the feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossil-Hound Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Looking nice Do or do not. There is no try. - Yoda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtdauber Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Really nice work, Steve!--George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabfossilsteve Posted June 19, 2017 Author Share Posted June 19, 2017 Fossil-Hound and dirtdauber Thanks alot for your comments on the specimen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 On 6/1/2017 at 7:09 PM, crabfossilsteve said: I'll try to take some shots of the oral side of the starfish and put them up. Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabfossilsteve Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 Hey All. In response to requests, here are some pics of the starfish's oral and aboral surfaces. My phone camera couldn't get close enough to show the small spines on the oral groove, but does show some detail. Also a pic of the molded pit for the star on the slab. Couldn't get them all on one message Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabfossilsteve Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 One more of the molded pit on the slab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabfossilsteve Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 ynot, here are the pics for your viewing pleasure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Great job, Steve. Came out wonderfullly! Thanks for showing us how it was done. Regard, Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 12 hours ago, crabfossilsteve said: ynot, here are the pics for your viewing pleasure Thank You. Looks very nice! Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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