Dragon Workshops

Dragons have always fascinated me, a beautiful mix of power, grace and danger. Join us for four days of Dragon building fun as each participant will create their very own sleek flying dragon. The finished sculptures are large featuring a 28 inch wingspan and four foot long body. The dragon construction uses several different papier mache techniques and utilizes a variety of recycled items such as plastic bottles, newspaper and cardboard.

This unique experience is recommended for those 16 years and older. The workshops can be physically demanding requiring participants to stand, kneel,  lift and work in uncomfortable positions. Papier mache can be a bit messy so please dress accordingly. The class uses a variety of non-hazardous materials such as flour, glue and joint compound, as well as latex and acrylic paints.

Workshop cost is $100 per person which includes all tools and materials.

You are encouraged to bring your own drink and snack. No alcoholic beverages please. Call (989) 750-6457 to register. Payment is due at the first class. Class size is limited to 6 seats.

Dragon Master Workshop #2

Tuesday, June 18^th. 1pm – 4pm

Thursday, June 20^th.  1pm – 4pm

Tuesday, June 25^th.  1pm – 4pm

Thursday, June 27^th. 1pm – 4pm

Dragon Master  Workshop #3

Monday, July 8^th. 6pm - 9pm.

Wednesday, July 10^th. 6pm – 9pm.

Monday, July 15^th. 6pm – 9pm.

Wednesday, July 17^th. 6pm – 9pm.

Dragon Master Workshop #4

Tuesday, August 6^th. 1pm – 4pm

Thursday, August 8^th.  1pm – 4pm

Tuesday, August 13^th.   1pm – 4pm

Thursday, August 15^th.  1pm – 4pm

New STOLLOWEEN Studio

Been busy the past month as we moved our passion for building papier mache Halloween props to a new studio space at 718 George Street in Midland, Michigan. The studio is open to the public and will serve as a classroom and my personal workshop. 

STOLLOWEEN Studio is an inspired work space created for the sole purpose of bringing imagination to life through papier mache. In addition to being a working studio, the facility is also a classroom offering a variety of workshops allowing students to create projects from start to finish.

STOLLOWEEN Studio is open to anyone with a desire to create. Papier mache is a simple medium very capable of producing stunning results even for the first time user. The knowledge, experience and resources available in the studio are second to none.

-Instructor with over 30 years experience in television production and papier mache.

-Large, comfortable and well lit workspace.

-Comprehensive reference library including hundreds of books and publications.

-Gallery displaying many diverse papier mache projects.

-Well stocked equipment and material room.

Our 2013 Summer Workshop schedule is posted here. Many fun and exciting papier mache workshops to choose from...gonna be a crazy summer!

Dragon In The Woods

We’ve been amusing ourselves lately doing some geocaching, a hobby we have enjoyed for the last four years or so and while trekking through The Chippewa Nature Center came across this fallen tree that looked remarkably like a dragon.

The tree featured a well defined head, legs and several branches that formed the wings, a very “Lord of the Rings” find in an otherwise ordinary day.

Sort of nature’s version of a Halloween prop.

Dragon Thoughts

For the last several days my thoughts have been geared towards dragons, this is probably due to the fact that I saw Dreamwork’s How To Train Your Dragon which in my opinion was an absolutely fantastic film.

The film gets high marks for story, action and above all incredible character design. The dragons as well as the human characters are original and beautifully executed, existing in a fantastic 3D environment that made me want to drop everything and become a Viking.

My fascination with dragons goes back to 1981’s Dragonslayer, a film which featured Go Motion, a technique where rods moved the puppet during the frame exposure, sort of the opposite of Stop Motion Animation.

Since Dragonslayer I have made an effort to see most films containing the mythological beasts.

Jump to spring of 2008 when I was assigned the task of designing papier mache dragons for some workshops held at a local art studio.

This evening I browsed the photos taken during that period and was struck by the difference in my work then and now.

My style is the same but my technique and execution has improved greatly, my intent here is not to brag but rather share my observation.

The 2008 dragons are still special to me because they represent the first time I was asked to create something for someone else, but looking back I see crudeness in the technique.

I see all the little things I have learned over the two years since their creation.

My thoughts have turned to dragons, specifically creating some new winged beasts that take advantage of all that I have learned over the last couple of years.

Big dragons.