Works in Progress

Work continues on a group of figures destined for the Ghoultide Gathering show. I can't believe I'm down to about 40 days to get everything sculpted, painted, packed and ready to go. Time is flying!!!

I took a break from sculpting over the weekend and was able to put some base coats on a few figures and completed two heads. It doesn't seem like much when I look at the white paper mache still untouched by paint on most of the figures left on the shelves. I'd better get back to work!!!

Have a great week!
Laurie

Sneak Peek #3

Here is sneak peek number three of "Serg". He has a little pumpkin buddy painted on his bucket and you can see his spindly little fingers. If you look closely at his arm and fingers you can see how they were painted to resemble the bark on vines.


This piece and other Halloween goodies will be available Wednesday night at 9 pm, ET, on the EHAG Emporium!!
http://ehagemporium.blogspot.com/

Laurie

"Winston" Is Done, Now On To Little Squash Head

I finished "Winston" yesterday after painting his bucket, Easter egg, stockings and bunny slippers, and putting German glass glitter on his bow tie. Here he is amongst his works-in-progress buddies!!

Those silly slippers took me hours to paint, but "Winston" likes the look so isn't that really all that matters? After all, you can't name something like "Puff" and "Fluff", and not give them some detail and character.

I also decided to carry the circle motif from Winston's body onto the top border of his Easter bucket, and then painted a coordinating egg. I had some lovely Bethany Lowe tinsel that matched the German glass glitter on Winston's bow tie so I used it like Easter grass to give a cushion for the painted egg to be placed in. I think it all helps pull his look together.

"Winston" is now a happy little wabbit!!

Below, is a new little squash head I worked on last night. So much work yet to be done on him, but his head just clicked for me and that made me a very happy painter. He hasn't told me his name yet so I will have to introduce you at a later date.

We have sunshine today and we are suppose to be in the 40s so I am thrilled!! Off to the studio to go soak up some of that sunshine!

Have a great day!
Laurie

Friday WIP Update

Here is an update on the WIPS for Halloween and Vine and STJ. Faces have been built, boots have been added, arms and legs have been "grown" and I have suddenly realized I was really into the pumpkin heads this session. I have big heads, medium sized heads and little heads, and almost all of them are pumpkins! (Nana Lori, have you been in my head influencing the pumpkin creations? Lots of cobwebs in there so don't get lost!!) Anyway, I did build two witches, one of which still needs her arms, and I have skelly figures and vampires in the sketchbooks to get done.

I made one more squash figure as well with a big forehead and a stem hat.

I also finished the new coat on the paper mache bowl. The bowl is now drying, and I have about three cups of paper mache clay left over to work with so I better get back to work on the new skelly heads. La Te Dah Te Dah....squishy stuff!!

Have a great weekend!!! (I'll be in the clay again, but might have to break out some paints for a change of pace for a few hours!!)

Laurie

Squeal Squash

Yesterday you saw "Squish Squash", and today you get to preview his brother "Squeal." "Squeal" is the younger brother of "Squish", but unlike his brother he has legs to elevate him above the Squash family vine. This little guy assists "Squish" in protecting the vines from insects...he is sort of like the beaver tail alarm for the squash, using his sharp, high pitched cry that alerts his fellow squash of oncoming insect threats. This is something this little guy started to display while he was just a mere bump on the end of his bloom and it gave him his name "Squeal."

Wanting to be known for more than his ear piercing scream, "Squeal" decided to do something else associated with his name...yes, his attire is giving him away, he is a biker dude and he loves to accelerate quickly and "squeal" his rear tire. This isn't something his mother is proud of and hopes that he will outgrow, but in the mean time he wears his black leather boots and outerwear, and having watched old biker movies he also slicked his vine into a spit curl of sorts. "Squeal" thinks it makes him look a little more like a rebel. Silly little squash!

I still need to get some details finished on his boots and I may also give him a bucket, but I thought I would let you see how things are progressing.

My hands are getting better each day, but I learned something yesterday. While I was holding an unpainted figure that I had made from that batch of paper mache clay that irritated my hands so badly I started to feel a burn going again. I've decided its like a chemical burn...too acidic or too alkaline, it just doesn't like my skin. The minute the figures are sealed with paint I don't have a problem. I'm hoping my remaining 175+ pounds of fastmache aren't like the current bag I was attempting to use. Thank you all for your suggestions and recommendations on how to treat my sore little phalanges!!!

Have a great day!!
Laurie