OK, we're Geeks who love thinking outside the box. That said, here is a letter from one of clients who had a very interesting use of our Hexagonal Boron Nitride powder. He is an artist, and rather than try to explain what he does, or how he does it, we will simply copy a note he wrote about what he is doing with the HBN. His name is Michael Ifland, and links to his art are found at the bottom of this page. Posted below is his note, 11-13-2009:
"Here's a bit more detail since you seem genuinely interested.
As you probably know boron nitride is also referred to as "white graphite" ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boron_nitride#Hexagonal_BN ). This is due to its almost identical hexagonal molecular form to common graphite. There structure is so similar in fact, that there applications are interchangeable. Both are used for coatings, lubrication, insulators, and sealant, but because of the cost of boron nitride only graphite is used in the production of pencil lead and other mark making applications. So recently I've began to experiment with abstract expressionistic pencil drawings, and even more specifically, using powdered graphite and water as a paint-like wash for these pieces. The amazing thing is that you can literally paint on this graphite as if it were paint, but of course it's not, it's pencil lead, and once it dries you can work with it just like it was drawn on from a normal pencil, erasing, drawing in more, whatever. The only problem is that its a bit tough to lighten up the mix in order to get whatever range of value that your looking for, like light grey or even an off white, etc. Which is where the boron nitride comes in. Since it is almost the exact chemical compound of regular graphite, I'll be able to mix the two together, almost like paint, in order to achieve any range of value I need from white to black.
You see, it's my goal to popularize "drawing" as a form of high art just as painting is considered today. I think that drawing has always been considered too common or as a tool instead of a serious art form even though its essential to any and all types of art. (There's a lot of reasons for this so I'll spare you the details). In any case, what I thought that I would do is re-evolve/re-represent the idea of drawing by introducing it in a new yet familiar way; similar to the origins and history of modern painting, i.e. abstract art in America from the 1950's until today. (There are also a lot of reasons why I chose abstract art, but never mind that...) I also decided that it would be a bit of a clever thing to make these drawing appear as close to being paint-like as possible in order to blur the lines between what is considered drawing and what is considered painting, and to make the viewer question the qualities of each and just why one is favored over the next. But the real trick is to only use "graphite" since traditionally graphite is only thought of as pencil lead and nothing more. So when they look at the piece and then they look at the description, they stand there scratching their heads trying to figure out just what there looking at.
It's all very exciting and very new, which is why I would actually appreciate it if you kept it under your hat for a few more months until I can get some work done and out there, (maybe after the new year?). After that you can tell the world...
If your interested, here is a site where you can view my work. http://www.behance.net/the_ifman . My regular website is a mess so there's no reason to bother with that. Anyway, the only examples that I have up right now using this technique, (I have others but I've been too busy), are under Works on Paper, and the last image under Abstract Works. Take a look around if you have the time and let me know what you think. Thanks for the interest!
-Michael."
Link #1 to some of his artwork.
Link #2 to some of his artwork.
Want to share what you are doing with HBN powder? Send us an email and tell us!
This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 09 February, 2010.
