Zombie Spuds

Cleaning up my hard drive and I came across these Zombie Spuds.

I know you are thinking WTH but here's the story.

Most of you know that I like to doodle, usually with a pencil and scrap piece of paper but sometimes I doodle on the computer using Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator.

About a month ago we had a sack of potatoes that were going bad, getting all wrinkly and starting to sprout all sort of nonsense.

While I was in the process of tossing them out I wondered what a potato zombie would look like, I know this may not make the most sense but it was enough to motivate me to take a few quick photos of the potatos, load the pics in Photoshop and conjure up some Zombie Spuds.

Zombie Spuds.

Not sure why but it had to be done.

HauntForum $20 Prop Challenge

What is this you may ask. It's actually a teaser photo from a current project that I'm working on for the $20 Prop Challenge on HauntForum.

Not going to go into detail until it's complete but here's a few tidbits about the project.

1. Papier Mache is being used. Yup, big surprise.

2. Very large, too big for doorways so it's being constructed in sections that can be assembled for display.

3. The project will be using several new techniques that have resulted from experimentation.

That it, all you need to know.

In the meantime checkout the contest and current entries. Cool Stuff.

HauntForum $20 Prop Challenge

The Sentinels

The Sentinels were created from papier mache over an armature created from plastic buckets, plastic milk jugs, plastic bottles, plastic grocery bags, cardboard and lots of masking tape and hot glue. The figures stand 4 1/2 feet tall and will be used to guard the entrance to our 2009 Halloween display.

The Sentinels are also part of the April 2009 Mad Lab contest where others were challenged to create something from a plastic bucket. Check out The Mad Lab to see all the entries and check out my website to see how these were created.

Frog In A Blender

Don’t worry you are not witness to a papier mache industrial accident.

A papier mache frog was not placed in a blender.

The above photo shows the sixty odd pieces needed to create four more papier mache frogs.

Making one frog was fun while making four is tad bit tedious.

Notice how I resisted turning the word “tad “into a pun such as tadpole.

The frogs need to be completed by the end of the month so I better hop to it.

You knew that was coming.

Surfing The Library

Don’t get me wrong, I love the internet.

I love the forums, the social networks, the mailing lists, google, flickr and the instant gratification that comes from the click of a mouse.

The internet has changed the way I think, or more to the point the way I don’t think anymore.

How many cups in a gallon?

Dunno, let me google it.

When is the last time I picked up a dictionary?

Dunno, that's why there is spell-check and dictionary.com.

About a year ago I was working on some new papier mache projects and had the novel idea of actually going to the library to research my subject and get some inspiration. You remember the library; it’s that big building filled with books.

After a quick turn at the card catalog which has also turned into a computer I was off to stroll through rows and rows of books.

Unlike strolling through pages of google images I had to get off my butt and physically walk, yes I was in danger of getting exercise.

Another funny observation, it seemed that there were other living creatures surrounding me, again I was in danger, this time of being social.

All kidding aside I find the library to be a great inspirational experience.

Browsing the shelves of books always leads to unexpected finds, subjects that I would never have stumbled upon.

My latest trek to the library gave me the source material needed to created some frogs, bats and owls but also exposed me to the wonderful world of Jim Henson, the art of Maurice Sendak and the travels of Thor Heyerdahl.

All unexpected but all inspirational, shut off the computer once in a while and check out the library, I think you will be glad you did.

Haunted Busts

Managed to finish my March entry for The Mad Lab contest.

For those unfamiliar with The Mad Lab, it's a monthly contest that challenges you to create something from a specific item. The item or items are different every month and the contest proves to be a challenge and great motivator. In addition to the satisfaction of creating something cool you are also eligible to win some great prizes.

This month's contest required you to build something from plastic CD cases or jewel cases. My concept was to use the cases as the base for some haunted busts. The busts were made from papier mache as well as an assortment of recycled items such as aluminum cans, cereal boxes and newspaper.

Check out The Mad Lab at www.themadlab.com and give the contest your best shot, it's fun, it's rewarding and before you know it you will also have a bunch of new props for the Halloween season. While you are in the lab make sure to stop by and say hello to your host Marsha aka jekyllandhyde, she is devious, conniving and scheming but that's what makes her special.

Seriously Marsha is a great haunter and a very fun person so check out the lab and see what you've been missing.

Gargoyle Sculptor

This week I'm working on designing and building some new gargoyles for a workshop that is being offered in May and while searching the internet for some inspiration I stumbled across this feature from the BBC website. The story features sculptor Pascal Mychalysin who is creating new gargoyles for the Gloucester Cathedral, there are several photos and a 7 minute audio interview.

Gargoyles