Satyr Helmet Mask

This is my Halloween mask for 2009.
I've been meaning to make a detailed mask like this for myself for ages!
He shall soon receive some padding, straps, synthetic fur, and paint retouches. He is made of Paper Mache Bark, Monster Bone, wire, and acrylic paint.

Update: no longer just a half head mask, he shall be a fully rigid helmet mask, just like last years' halloween costume. I did make good straps and padding, but I judged it to be a step backward in comfort, so I move forward. This means I have two days left to finish him as a helmet. I have a halloween party on the 24th, and cannot think of going without the finished product.


Update: Mask was finished on time for party. Good success with it. Decided to open the mouth to facilitate speaking in noisy crowds. Was a better success at the Centra Canada Comicon, judging by people's reactions and comments.
Will post better pics of the entire costume when time allows. In the meantime, here are two good shots taken by Andrew Young, of Unraku.

Alley, glove puppet

Alley is already showing signs of being a bit of tom-boy.
She is going to be a Birth gift for a little girl.
Work in progress. Paper Mache Bark, Monster Bone, acrylic paint, synthetic yarn.

Mario Of Many Faces

Finally, here are some pics of Mario, the tabletop puppet with interchangeable wigs/facial hair.

His head, hands and feet are paper mache. The Head and wigs have rare earth magnets embedded in them. The body's PVC tubing, sculpted Polyfoam, a little bit of wood, and nylon webbing. PVC Pipes are used as handles for head and lower back. He was created for a league of theatrical Improvisation with puppets, as the main character. Hence his "Everyman" looks and versatile features.

Better-than-Heinz Ketchup!

Not about puppet or mask building, but hey, an Artist's gotta eat!
I like to share quick and tasty (and preferably healthy) recipes to make our busy lives more enjoyable.

In my quest for a healthier lifestyle, I realized that the high content of sugar (liquid sugar/glucose-fructose) in Heinz ketchup made it a condiment that should be at the top of my "cut-back or eliminate" list.

So I decided to make my own tomato ketchup. I just looked at the ingredients on Heinz ketchup, to see what were the main "real" ingredients I should start with.
Well, all you really need is: tomato paste, white vinegar, a sweetener, onion powder, salt, and spices.



Here's what I came up with as a first try:

•Tomato paste, one can.
•White vinegar, about half a cup (natural, from grains) (could have used apple cider vinegar. Maybe next time)
•Onion powder, approx one tablespoon
•Sea salt, one tablespoon
•Raw honey, about a cup (clover)

Mix tomato paste and vinegar. Add the rest gradually until a good balance of sweet-tangy-salty is achieved.

Freelancer's Blues & Thrilling News

I love my work!
It's my passion! More often than not, I get to create the exact kind of work I am craving, not long after the craving first shows its face. Life sends these specific contracts my way, as soon as I desire to explore a certain aspect of my work. And I feel blessed that most customers trust me enough to leave me tremendous freedom in the design.

Still, sometimes, the life of a full-time freelance creature designer/maker/performer isn't so glamorous. You certainly don't get to rest for very long! In fact, I've never even ever taken a true vacation. Every day off I've taken, not counting sick days, which are very rare) was spent in part for research or networking.

I would never stop doing what I love. I chose this lifestyle!
Yet, Life IS change, and if I want to keep enjoying mine, some changes must be made!
As much as I enjoy a schedule that's not too repetitive, there is such a thing as too much chaos, and too much to do. I'm never bored and I'm thrilled constantly with the results and opportunities I get. I just seek more stability. Good news is, I can feel it coming around the corner. (See Unraku, below) Even the most motivated individual gets tired sometimes. The following will show what I mean.

This summer, with multiple small contracts that were constantly overlapping and usually rushes, coupled with a month-long preparation for a month and a half solo gallery show of my work, was a non-stop race, and this speedy pace seems to be continuing into the fall.
My day so far:

This morning
Marotte of a little girl puppet, picked up by the customer.
Had to repaint and change its haircut in 35 minutes. Did it with success!
I just learned I will not have a minute to rest Monday night, after the 8 hour bus ride back from a trip, because a puppet needs to be mostly re-built and be ready for a day and a half later (see Tabletop Puppet of Terror below).

This afternoon
Will assemble my Satyr puppet, which needs to be fully articulated by the end of today, so I can bring to Toronto to show my colleagues this week-end.

Will get two puppets picked up by past customer who lent them for my gallery show this summer.

Tabletop Puppet of Terror
Will get an in-progress puppet back from a current project which should have been finished two months ago (customer paid deposit a month late, and took weeks, several times, to provide vital information). I wish I could drop this project, and I would feel entitled, considering the insulting delays and "bullshitting", but the project's instigator owes me half the payment (upon delivery), and two colleagues I highly respect are still involved in the project and need the puppet. Life sure wants me to learn to be a "though guy" when it comes to choosing my contracts and conditions. ever since I saw an inspiring sign in a bus station in Brasttleboro Vermont: "Your lack of plannification does not constitute my rush". Lesson learned!

Tonight Still working on that Satyr puppet, broadcasting some of the process live on blogTV.
Preparing luggage for Toronto trip.

Great News:
On a very positive note, there are highlights that make this all worthwhile.
The obstacles and complications just seem like small bumps when focusing on the good!
Yet, I know it will all work out and the situation will stabilize!

I'm now the Montreal branch of a Toronto puppet company named Unraku.
We moved in to our first official studio about two weeks ago. I can't wait to see what they did with the place, as it was already very promising when I last saw it.

I'm Looking forward to this week-end, I'll see my Unraku colleagues again, one of which I never met in person, as she hails from Pheonix, Arizona! We are shooting a music video, as a promotional tool for the company. We shall also attend an evening where I will meet Alexander Mergold, an Art Doll and Puppet artist whose work I've admired for years.
The evening will be hosted by Open Door Design, a lovely puppet store in Toronto.

The main project for Unraku these days is one I cannot yet reveal much about, but it's going to be big. I'll keep you posted as the information becomes available for release. Here's what I can say about it now: It's going to be a weekly puppet show, published online. Assembled in Toronto (homebase), but filmed in Toronto, Montreal, and Pheonix.
The creatures will be varied, and the fun will be palpable!

We shall be promoting the show at the Central Canada Comicon in Winnipeg (Alberta, Canada), at the end of the month, as well as other festivals and events until March, when we are going to Megacon, in Orlando(Florida).

October will be busy:
•My Halloween mask (another Satyr) needs to be ready for the Winnipeg trip
•I'm building (not designing) the official puppet for an artist/writer who has a series of music albums and books for children starring a squirrel. I'm looking forward to it.
•I was hired to create a one-of-a-kind little girl glove puppet as a birth gift.

Keeping busy!
To see me in action, I very often broadcast my creaturemaking steps live from Blogtv. I don't have a schedule, but it's usually evenings and nights.
www.blogtv.com/people/creaturiste

And as usual, my portfolio can be seen on this other blog:
www.creaturiste.blogspot.com

ZlorgNboB Shop (my designs)

I made all the visual designs for ZlorgNboB, including what's featured on the merchandise.
Today, the Coffee Mug design for " Zlorg & boB: The Other Mug" has won a red ribbon award on the Zazzle website (Today's Best category).

Click to see all the designs, on various items.
Also, our customers can modify the products a lot (size, positionning, and sometimes change the product itself), when clicking on Customize.

Dragon Brooch

Dragon Brooch.
Wearable Art.

This faithful protector, strong embodiment of fire and flight, will soon make his home on the
garments of a friend in Europe. This young dragon-phoenix has fierce protective instincts but a powerfully kind heart.

Measures: 4" x 6" x 3/4"

Materials:
Flexible Paper Mache over wire armature, deep red glass bead eyes, Monster Bone finish, acrylic paint and metallic mica powders (copper and gold).
Equipped with an horizontal metal pin with safety latch.

Photography is difficult with metallic finishes, and with this small a scale, so this photograph does not do it justice. In reality, it is smoother in texture, and the colors are vibrant and almost shimmering. More photos coming soon.

It is ready to be shipped to the customer in Europe, as soon as she approves the painting.
More of the same model (with variations, as each is made from scratch) will be made for selling, eventually. If you need one sooner, just place an order, and I'll make it a priority.

I would be thrilled to make more wearable Art, with different creatures, at different scales, in the same or other visual styles. Let's discuss the endless possibilities!