Editor’s Note: This feature originally appeared in the January 2024 issue of Canadian Fabricating & Welding.
Last November, Toronto-based Metal Supermarkets announced the winners of its annual Metal My Way contest, which aims to showcase versatility and craftsmanship in metalworking, fabricating, and design. From among 870 international submissions, Angellos Glaros’ sculpture, “Blue Heron,” was chosen as the grand prize winner.
Metal Inspiration
Glaros lives and works in Nanaimo, B.C., running Glaros Studios/WestCoast Arts. He grew up in southern Ontario but pursued his interest in the arts at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where he learned to work in marble and clay.
After college, Glaros learned woodworking, further expanding his artistic and commercial skills. In the late ‘90s, an injury led him to switch to finishing work. From there, he developed his woodworking business, eventually opening his own studio in 2000. He built wooden furniture and carved animals, trees, and people.
It wasn’t until visiting a metal artist’s studio in about 2008 that Glaros was inspired to work with mild steel.
“The artist was working on an oak tree motif, including leaves and acorns—a lot of detail,” said Glaros. “I was blown away and ran right out and got myself a welder to start learning.”
He now has two welding power sources (one for the shop and one for on-site work), two plasma cutters, an anvil, a power hammer, and a 6-ton fly press.
Capturing the Natural World
What stands out is Glaros’ ability to bring a lifelike look to metal that is designed to appear organic. For instance, he has made railings that look like tree branches and a shaker-style dining table base that looks like a tree stump.
“I shape the metal with a power hammer first,” explained Glaros. “With the railings, I would heat the pipe to cherry red and use the power hammer to taper the ends, which creates folds and a natural look. Once it was shaped, I basically laid down weld beads along the length of it and filled some of the folds to create the desired shape. Once that is done, I grind it, sand it, and then use a sanding flap wheel to get the textured look and the smoothness just right.”
Although the texture is achieved primarily through grinding, the finishing process is just as important.
“At that point, I do a chemical bath, spraying it until I get the color precisely how I want it,” he explained. “I then wash it and apply an automotive finish for outdoor pieces. That helps preserve it better, and it’s the only finish I’ve found that really works effectively for the outdoors.”
Glaros cut out each feature individually and used a die grinder to create the lines in the feathers. He then blended it all together with a flap-wheel sander.
Blue Heron
Glaros’ “Blue Heron” required an arduous process to create its look, including the bird’s neck.
“It was a smooth-shaped 12-ga. mild steel pipe when I started, and I just worked it with the die grinder,” he said.
“Similarly with the feathers, I cut them out and used the die grinder to create the lines in the feathers and used a flap-wheel sander to blend it all when I’m done. At that point, I put each one on a fly press to give it a bit of a curve in whatever direction is necessary to dome it.”
With this design, he used an armature for the body, which allowed the finish to flow around the back of all the feathers. For the wings, he used a basic armature at the leading edge to achieve the appearance of lightness.
The layered feathers were the big challenge for Glaros because he had to get the finish on the backside. To achieve this, he pretreated them individually before welding to ensure they would not be affected by the elements.
“I had to hang them all up in the spray booth for six hours and watch to ensure no drips formed on the tips of the feathers,” he said. “When that was dry, I put five coats of automotive finish on it. I use a finish with which you can control the sheen on it, so that I could make it fairly flat. It would look bad if it were too shiny.”
More than 1,200 feathers appear on the finished sculpture, all welded on by Glaros. He created a mortise and tenon joint to insert them and a bolt mechanism to further hold them in place.
The whole bird was torched to some degree to add color.
“For example, the beak was heated to a light red to get the final dark gray color,” said Glaros. “The feathers used much less heat, but heat was used to create the variation in color.”
The sculpture took approximately 450 hours to complete. “Blue Heron” is, to Glaros’ estimation, the best and most complicated piece he has achieved thus far, but he feels there is still much to learn.
The base of this table is an example of the organic forms Glaros can add to furniture with his metalwork and finishing skills.
“I have only done one metal sculpture depicting a person, so I think the human face is where I want to explore more now,” he said.
What’s key is that Glaros remains undaunted in the face of new opportunities to explore.
“I’d say to anyone interested in this sort of artistic pursuit, no matter what your medium, take some life-drawing classes. Start sketching. It’s all about training your eyes to see what is there as opposed to seeing what your brain thinks is there,” he said.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
