A Big Carrot

I made a big carrot for a food festival, Tooting Harvest Foodival, last week. Big vegetables are relatively easy to make if you can't grow your own. Although I did have to go through a couple of prototypes like the one on the right which was not strong enough. I found that the solution was to make a basic carrot structure out of cardboard, then paste newspaper and finally orange tissue paper over it. A bit of acrylic paint adds texture, add some "leaves" and there you are! OK, I agree, it's no Botticelli, it's a rudimentary quick paper carrot ... but it's surprisingly easy to get a good enough effect and a very positive response from the public!

Papier-mâché Head

I made this papier-mâché cast of a Fowler Phrenology head a few months ago. However, it was just sitting on a shelf gathering dust. Now I have an idea of a use for it, but, before I mess it up (!), here are a few interesting shots. It's good lit from inside, I think, but may be a fire hazard!

More Masks

Some complete - on the black mask I have used just tissue paper while on the gold one I have also used newspaper and coloured foil. The tissue paper gives a better finish but several more layers.
These are works in progress. Chris said she uses gum strip for her masks which seems to be the stuff people seal cardboard boxes with. The pink mask is done with gum strip and is indeed very strong.

Papier-mâché Mask

Inspired by Chris's masks, I made and painted this one which itself is moulded on my own plaster face cast from 2007.

Papering Over

I am now pasting tissue paper over the wire structure with PVA glue. It should let the light through. It does tear easily on the wire though especially at pressure points.



















Meanwhile the other plaster and wire creations are continuing to evolve ... here they are in the cupboard. They didn't want to come out for the photos.