PUPPET ARTS
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PUPPET ARTS |
The only of its kind, the University of Connecticut Puppet Arts program is where I find solace as an addition to my major. Throughout my first semester in this program, I experimented with different materials and fabrication techniques to create four projects.
Original 1:1 elevations of what came to be known as ‘Creature’ from a left and front facing angle.
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Blender mockup to aid in 3D understanding
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Clay progress using medium hardness Monster Clay
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Final clay result, eyes made of carefully cut and sanded wooden beads, shaped using a band saw and belt sander.
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Progress of 2 part silicone mold
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Final three versions: Clay original, casted, and 3D printed
Head Carving Project
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A block of bass wood was carved down using tools including chisels, carving knives, and various Dremel bits to create the shape of a head.
Original 1:1 elevations.
Detailing, eyes were constructed by drilling holes into the skull and inserting eye caps. Felt was cut, place, and pinned to create folds and skin. Mod Podge was layered onto the felt and allowed it to harden.
Completed figurine.
Carving/Chiseling process.
Fish Final
Sleepy Dean, Hand Puppet
Sleepy Dean was born out of my love and adoration for fish. Modeled after vintage sardine tins and inspired their sudden recurrence in popular culture, his puppet features a body of scott foam with a mouth of gasket rubber attached with barge cement. His cover consists of fleece stretched over and sewed into the foam, decorated with beads, sequins, and two fins on either side. As an accessory, the puppet features a sardine tin with a cardboard base covered in Worbla thermoplastics. The cover of the tin features wire boning sewn in each side of a piece of fabric along with a key across the top allowing the tin to be closed and opened with a rolling movement. A hole in the back of the tin allows for the puppet to be performed inside of it.
