Since almost everyone that reads this goes to X-E, you know the results.
If you don’t- well, to be simple, I lost the Die-O-Rama Contest.
Pretty badly, if I do say so myself.
I’d talk about it- but I’m not feeling very happy, or good about myself- and it involves lots of cursing.
So.
I’ll just leave it at that.
so. I said I was going to finish it last night, and by the gods I DID!
I’m proud of myself.
A small part of me is freaking out, of course- it always is.
I worry that it’s not good enough, that people will laugh, that I will lose.
But I’ve committed to it, I put in ten hours and it looks good- really good.
So I’m gonna just suck it up and do it.
get that email together, send it off.
and then… that’s it.
It’s done, no takebacks.
Okay.
I told you I would show you SOME things, but not the completed die-o-rama.
So- let’s go with the props.
i did the cross- but couldn’t attach it to the bolo zombie without wanting to murder someone or destroying him, so i didn’t.
Huge bummer for me. It was so important to me to do it. But alas… am I the only one who really cared?
Perhaps.
But it’s there. so at least it counts for something.
And teh glasses.
Whose is whose?
The black ones I made first, so they have a more delicate curl.
The gold ones… enh, not so much. That wire was just NOT cooperating. Coated wire can be like that.
And the Box!
This was the hardest part, I think.
I started with still images of the Film.
Meaning, I took pitures of the film with my camera while I watched it.
I then had to take measurements of the box, take my still image and break it into three panels to span the back of the box.
Then, I took my lightbox, traced the stills and then colored it.
Rudy says I should have gone and done it in photoshop to give it a comic book feel- and while I do agree, I basically ran out of time.
I was being driven insane, since a variety of my pens have dried out-
i actually sawed my green pen apart to get to the ink tube, to get the last of the ink out for the grass.
That pen was dead anyway, at least now it died for a cause.
So this thing is due tomorrow.
And in the next week, it will be judged.
I feel ill.
I’m such a weirdo.
So now, I’m totally freaking out.
I have Soccer Practice Today.
I have Soccer Practice Thursday.
I have to sometime shop for groceries this week.
And I don’t have my Die-o-Rama Completed. And it needs to be done by SATURDAY.
I don’t even think I was this stressed in Art School.
Go figure, huh?
It might have to do with the concept that I have only a vague idea of what I want to do for the BG and haven’t even begun to flesh out if it’s truly going to work.
I mean- what if it doesn’t? back to square one background-wise. And I don’t have time to do that.
Anyway. I know what i need to do- I just need to make the time to do it.
Maybe I should take it easy at Soccer Practice and not push myself, so I have energy to work tonight.
Even then, I’ll maybe get an hour, hour and a half under my belt tops.
Is that going to be enough?
Maybe for the walls, no way for the ground.
Hm… I wonder how many hours I have spent on this?
I think… at least six already. Two painting. Two to 3 on sculpting. An hour in study.
Gods, I’m not even getting PAID for this.
*shrugs*
But it will be SO AWESOME!
So- I told you I painted them. I did.
Barbara was boring, not interesting at all. I hate that dress. I hate Barbara until she gets all crazy-bitch later in the movie.
Johnny was kind of fun. I guess I just liek painting blood. I can’t wait to make a blood puddle around his head. And on the tombstone… And all over the place…
The Bolo Zombie is just Awesome. I was debating with myself. I already went pretty simple cartoon-like with the characters. Should I go all realisitic on the zombie? or Just enjoy it and go cartoony?
As you can see, I went Cartoony. I love LOVE LOVE! that green. This guy is great. If you look close you can see I’m goign to have to go back and rework some details around his bolo tie. It was so hard to get around those arms-I wound up breaking off a finger, but you can’t tell, so I won’t tell you where or which.
I’ll update you with some background accents before I submit. I won’t show it all, that’s what X-E is for!
So last night i got to do the funnest part.
I GOT TO PAINT!
However, I didn’t have my camera so I couldn’t take pics.
Except i actually DID have my camera and didn’t know it.
So then I started debating if I should show you becuase it’d then be a sneak peak at my die-o-rama and I don’t know if releasing a behind the scenes shoot is really conducive to building the drama that will be my Scene.
I mean, I didn’t even want to TELL you guys about it for fear that someone would see how high I was shooting and aim higher.
That’s been one of my major fears- well, of my whole life.
I never shoot for the best, becuase I always know someone is going to be better.
For gods’ sake there are 9 year olds on the soccer team that I assistant coach that play better than me.
Crushes me sometimes, but hell. Not like I’m freakin’ Pele over here.
So, I try, but don’t go balls out.
But this time…
because I don’t know who my competition is and what they’re doing and I really want to win…
I AM GOING BALLS OUT.
So the idea that a competitor can see what I am doing and go “HA! I can do better!” becuase they’ve seen the competition…
that would totally cripple me.
I would be really damn hurt if I lost.
It does make me try harder, for sure.
But is my best good enough?
So I think maybe… I’ll show you the painted guys.
And some construction details of the diorama box.
but that’s it.
You’ll have to wait until tomorrow.
Can you do that?
I knew you could.
So last night I did what was probably the hardest part of my diorama.
I sculpted the Bolo Tie Zombie.
I was dreading it becuase in my design he is the most detailed, copmletely free-standing and the key part of the die-o-rama.
Without the Zombie, it’s not horror!
So I started with scuplting his torso and then adding wire to stregthen his form.I knew it was important to get the right arch of his back, his pigeon-toed zombie stem-the outstretched arms and clawing finger, the blank cadaverous stare…
Wow, I’m really getting into that description.
So I had to get all that down,and the only way to do that was to take my time, take it slow and think think think!
But ultimately he came out as well as i wanted. all the details are there.
I did not realize I forgot to make the cross flower arrangement protruding from his left shoulder, so I’ll have to do that and glue it on later.
No problem. Now that the figures are done, the hardest part is over.
I am a bit bummed becuase I don’t get to make the Autopsy zombie. He doesn’t come in until later, and the box I am using isn’t big enough to accomodate him.
That’s kay, though- less work for me!
what’s left?
tombstones ( sculpt or cardboard…)
ground ( grass,dirt…)
diorama walls (i have a great plan for this but am so excited- I don’t want to disclose it until it’s done!)
Placement, anchoring and
PHOTOS!
I have nine days.
As I predicted, I didn’t get to work last night.
Didn’t get home from coaching soccer practice ’til 7:30. I made some dinner, watched a bit of TV, made some peach cobbler, ate too much peach cobbler while watching The Colony, and then bombed at about 11.
yesterday morning I did a bit of painting, but due to my paint color and selection (and the fact that at 6 am I didn’t want to throw myself into the project) I only got a little bit done.
Little bit being Johnny’s hair and pants. Not even worth photographing.
Hopefully tonight I will get a good amount done.
So what is Left?
Sculpt Bolo Zombie.
Paint all three.
Make/paint tombstones.
Make background.
Make ground/grass.
Photograph.
ALL before the end of next week.
So…
I am stressing a little bit.
But hey, I’m having fun too!
So As soon as I got home, I got to cracking. I had a small bit of frustration trying to figure out how to make the figures work. My puppet-making brain said I needed armature wire, while my doll-making brain said I needed to just sculpt limbs and punch holes for lacing. But as I was doing FIGURES, I couldn’t really rely on either.
Ultimately, I went with a relief-style sculpture with the base being my table so that I could avoid all the pitfalls of sculpting in the round and trying to properly support the figures. I built the basic bodies first, then clothed them, and finally added details like buttons, pockets and hair.
I spent almost an hour watching the scene I was planning on scluplting to make notes of clothing styles, colors and scenery. I was totally sure I had it memorized- did you know Johnny wore driving gloves? I knew!- but the color of Barbara’s skirt was driving me insane. Was it Khaki or plaid?! Spending time with the movie helped me nail down all sorts of minute details I wasn’t aware of.
I also found the perfect box.
Anyway- the figures.
Made of sculpey, I fired them in the oven for 15 minutes and they were done. They’re going to either get painted tonight or tomorrow. I also didn’t have time to make the Zombie so I have to do that too.
I sculpted Johnny first since I had his look pretty nailed down and I didn’t have to worry about supporting his weight. I hadn’t quite researched the movie deep enough so I wound up laying him on his stomach instead of on his back. But at the most integral point- the fall- he is on his stomach so that works out I think. I plan on making his glassses out of wire so they aren’t there.
I did Barbara second, since I had to nail expression, body pose and her clothes are a bit more complicated. Other than the fact that her costume is fucking hideous- seriously, who wears that crap?- it was fun and a bit of a challenge. As for Barbie’s glasses, she loses them almost immediately so I’ve decided -like Johnny’s- to just make them of wire and let them lay on the ground.
So that’s day one. I have my niece’s soccer team to assistant coach tonight, so I’ll cross my fingers that I get to work on it some more.
So- Matt at X-E has decided to do a Halloween contest.
A Shoebox Halloween Die-o-rama.
Having gotten back into arting recently, and no major projects in sight, I am crazy amped to participate.
I also really, REALLY want that Living Dead doll.
I used to have a mini one in a bunny costume, and I think they’re the right combination of cute and creepy- just like me!
As I said over at X-E, I have come up with a sweet idea and I can’t wait to do it.
I also said I would disclose what it was.
And I will.
Night of the Living Dead.
And as I recently watched it, I’m going with the 1990 version- The one directed by Tom Savini and featuring Otis and the Candyman.
I totally love when wimpy pre-butch Barbara skewers that zombie with the cross flower arrangement, and the autopsy zombie is a total mind-fuck. Considering I can barely stay awake for the original, seeing this one makes it easier for me to grasp the story.
My plan is to go with sculpey figures to make it as detail-oriented as possible. They could also double as cake toppers in the future- totally awesome, zombie-themed cake toppers.
Either cardboard or foam tombstones.
I need to make some trees; I may just take some off the bushes in the backyard.
I’d prefer to actually purchase them but money is CRAZY-TIGHT this week so I’m going to have to make-do with the supplies around the house.
That actually makes me nervous.
So I think I will go with the figures first.
That’s going to be both the toughest and the most fun part.
The construction of the scene could wind up being tedious, but I don’t think it will get me down.
I can actually see it coming together in my head and I can’t wait to get started.
I’ll take pictures, okay? Swear up an’ down.
So.
After my blog post yesterday… I was all like…
well, let’s see what I can dredge over at X-E.
Last time I was there I got really bummed out.
And good lordy lord!
Teh Matt is alive- and he’s blogging like a fiend!
So I take it back. I wubs yoo and yer seasonal giddiness!
Like I have just begin saying recently ( not to anyone in particular, just in my head…)
I am a pessimist, but I like to be proven wrong.
So, lets revive this thing.
Im pretty down today and need to talk to someone- why not this?
It’s coming to the christmas season at my job and I’ve been working quite hard- trying to devote myself to my job in an effort to make sure it’s secure. As I watch people around me lose their homes and their jobs, struggle with bills and drown in debt, I have thrown myself into my job and my extracurricuar activities in an attempt to keep my mind off of… well, not impending doom, but that feeling that just around teh corner is teh Darkness that could change your entire damn world. If I’m to busy to see it, then it’s not there, right?
That’s a pretty morbid way to think about it, but as of late… it starts to become more true than ever.
In the past month Rudy got a new Motorcycle. it’s a harley this time around and he’s just in love with the thing. His first vehicle was a motorcycle and it’s been two years since he’s had his own. Earlier this year he was just falling apart about not having one. He borrowed one for a day in july and damn if it just made it worse. So we saved up some money, searched for the right bike, and he’s on two wheels again and I don’t think I’ve seen him any happier.
So I have been busy with dog training classes -Cash failed his CGC again last night, and I’m really bummed about that.
I tried so hard, but there always seems to be something that goes wrong, and Cash botches it.
I mean- He is an awesome dog, but I just want the world to know it.
Doubly so becuase of his breed.
But that’s alright. He can pass, I just need to work more.
my CGC class teacher is really devoted to getting him to pass and I know she will help me work along with it.
Anyway! I’m also kinda bummed that matt is dead.
Well, he’s not REALLY dead- but honestly, how do we know or not?
Its coming to be the most imporant season of the year and we haven’t seen hair or hide of matt in months.
I think it’s gotten all the X-E’ers down.
all of us blogging x-ers have kind of felt the pinch.
And while we’re all plugging along as best we can, we are hurting a bit too.
Anyway, kick out the downer stuff.
It’s turning to fall… which means my thoughts are turning to HALLOWEEN!
Have to thank the Deej for the soon-to-be-in-mah-belly candy corn soda- I’m so psyched.
Love getting stuff in the mail.
Even bills.
Did y’all know I was almost a postal worker?
Passed the test and everything.
The only reason I couldn’t was because the posotion was for a rural route driver and I need two years of driving under my belt…
only had one.
sad panda.
One of these days I’m gonna try again.
Y’know, when the USPS stops hemmoraging money.
Getting back into Mail Art. Really excited about that. just the idea that I’m arting again is totally cool I’m painting and sculpting and mailing stuff- it’s totally fun and I just love it. I’ve been too stifled for too long and I think Work had to do with it.
Weird how this blog post came full circle.
Anyway. work to do. see ya in a few.
