Archive for the 'RAMBLINGS' Category
2013 Papier Mache Workshop Summer Schedule
June 15th, 2013
This summer is packed with fun and exciting papier mache workshops brought to you by the new STOLLOWEEN Studio at 718 George Street in Midland, Michigan.
STOLLOWEEN Studio is an inspired work space created for the sole purpose of bringing imagination to life through papier mache. In addition to being a working studio, the facility is also a classroom offering a variety of workshops allowing students to create projects from start to finish.
STOLLOWEEN Studio is open to anyone with a desire to create. Papier mache is a simple medium very capable of producing stunning results even for the first time user. The knowledge, experience and resources available in the studio are second to none.
-Instructor with over 30 years experience in television production and papier mache.
-Large, comfortable and well lit workspace.
-Comprehensive reference library including hundreds of books and publications.
-Gallery displaying many diverse papier mache projects.
-Well stocked equipment and material room.
The 2013 Summer Workshop Series includes:
Severed Zombie Heads
Papier Mache Workshop
Ever since I was a kid I loved zombies – I thought they were the best things ever and that was way before it was cool to like zombies.
Join us for four evenings of icky, sticky, rotted zombie building fun. Participants create their own life-sized severed zombie head using a variety of papier mache techniques and commonly found recycled items. During the workshop we will watch and discuss some classic zombie films, occasionally stopping to dissect some of our favorite scenes.
This unique experience is recommended for those 16 years and older. The workshops can be physically demanding requiring participants to stand, kneel, lift and work in uncomfortable positions. Papier mache can be a bit messy so please dress accordingly. The class uses a variety of non-hazardous materials such as flour, glue and joint compound, as well as latex and acrylic paints.
Workshop cost is $100 per person which includes all tools and materials.
You are encouraged to bring your own drink and snack. No alcoholic beverages please. Call (989) 750-6457 to register. Payment is due at the first class. Class size is limited to 8 seats.
Severed Zombie Heads Workshop #3
Monday, June 17th. 6pm – 9pm
Wednesday, June 19th. 6pm – 9pm
Monday, June 24th. 6pm – 9pm
Wednesday, June 26th. 6pm – 9pm
Severed Zombie Heads Workshop #4
- Weekend Warrior Edition
Saturday, July 13th. 1pm – 4pm
Sunday, July 14th. 1pm – 4pm
Saturday, July 20th. 1pm – 4pm
Sunday, July 21st. 1pm – 4pm
Severed Zombie Heads Workshop #5
Monday, August 5th. 6pm – 9pm
Wednesday, August 7th. 6pm – 9pm
Monday, August 12th. 6pm – 9pm
Wednesday, August 14th. 6pm – 9pm
Severed Zombie Heads Workshop #6
- Weekend Warrior Edition
Saturday, August 17th. 1pm – 4pm
Sunday, August 18th. 1pm – 4pm
Saturday, August 24th. 1pm – 4pm
Sunday, August 25th. 1pm – 4pm
Severed Zombie Heads Workshop #7
Tuesday, August 20th. 6pm – 9pm
Thursday, August 22nd. 6pm – 9pm
Tuesday, August 27th. 6pm – 9pm
Thursday, August 29th. 6pm – 9pm
Dragon Masters
Papier Mache Workshop
Dragons have always fascinated me, a beautiful mix of power, grace and danger. Join us for four days of Dragon building fun as each participant will create their very own sleek flying dragon. The finished sculptures are large featuring a 28 inch wingspan and four foot long body. The dragon construction uses several different papier mache techniques and utilizes a variety of recycled items such as plastic bottles, newspaper and cardboard.
This unique experience is recommended for those 16 years and older. The workshops can be physically demanding requiring participants to stand, kneel, lift and work in uncomfortable positions. Papier mache can be a bit messy so please dress accordingly. The class uses a variety of non-hazardous materials such as flour, glue and joint compound, as well as latex and acrylic paints.
Workshop cost is $100 per person which includes all tools and materials.
You are encouraged to bring your own drink and snack. No alcoholic beverages please. Call (989) 750-6457 to register. Payment is due at the first class. Class size is limited to 6 seats.
Dragon Master Workshop #2
Tuesday, June 18th. 1pm – 4pm
Thursday, June 20th. 1pm – 4pm
Tuesday, June 25th. 1pm – 4pm
Thursday, June 27th. 1pm – 4pm
Dragon Master Workshop #3
Monday, July 8th. 6pm – 9pm.
Wednesday, July 10th. 6pm – 9pm.
Monday, July 15th. 6pm – 9pm.
Wednesday, July 17th. 6pm – 9pm.
Dragon Master Workshop #4
Tuesday, August 6th. 1pm – 4pm
Thursday, August 8th. 1pm – 4pm
Tuesday, August 13th. 1pm – 4pm
Thursday, August 15th. 1pm – 4pm
The Great Pumpkin
Papier Mache Workshop
This is your chance to start building some great Jack O’Lantern props for Halloween. The July Pumpkin Workshop will allow participants to create their own large pumpkin complete with an elaborate carved face of their choosing. Past workshops have proven to be a very fun and enjoyable experience all while learning many different papier mache techniques.
This unique experience is recommended for those 16 years and older. The workshops can be physically demanding requiring participants to stand, kneel, lift and work in uncomfortable positions. Papier mache can be a bit messy so please dress accordingly. The class uses a variety of non-hazardous materials such as flour, glue and joint compound, as well as latex and acrylic paints.
Workshop cost is $100 per person which includes all tools and materials.
You are encouraged to bring your own drink and snack. No alcoholic beverages please. Call (989) 750-6457 to register. Payment is due at the first class. Class is limited to 8 seats.
The Great Pumpkin Workshop #1
Tuesday, July 23rd. 6pm – 9pm
Thursday, July 25th. 6pm – 9pm
Tuesday, July 30th. 6pm – 9pm.
Thursday, August 1st. 6pm – 9pm
Additional Classes in development:
Kid’s Monster Factory
Papier Mache Workshop
As a child I used to draw monsters and as an adult I continue to doodle monsters every chance I get. This is very special class designed for children 6 to 12 years old who along with an accompanying adult will use their imagination to draw a monster then turn that artwork into a fabulous papier mache sculpture.
During the first two hour session we will look at inspirational monsters in movies and books such as Monsters Inc., Where the Wild Things Are and the Dr. Suess books, then create a drawing and start constructing the sculpture. The second and third sessions will use papier mache and the final class will be painting.
The workshops can be physically demanding requiring participants to stand, kneel, lift and work in uncomfortable positions. Papier mache can be a bit messy so please dress accordingly. The class uses a variety of non-hazardous materials such as flour, glue and joint compound, as well as latex and acrylic paints.
Workshop cost is $100 per adult and child duo which includes all tools and materials.
You are encouraged to bring your own drink and snack. No alcoholic beverages please. Call (989) 750-6457 to register. Payment is due at the first class. Class is limited to 5 adult and child duos.
Tuesday, July 9th. 1pm – 3pm
Thursday, July 11th. 1pm – 3pm
Tuesday, July 16th. 1pm – 3pm
Thursday, July 18th. 1pm – 3pm
Kid’s Monster Factory Workshop #2
Monday, July 22nd. 1pm – 3pm
Wednesday, July 24th. 1pm – 3pm
Monday, July 29th. 1pm – 3pm
Wednesday, July 31st. 1pm – 3pm
Kid’s Monster Factory Workshop #3
Monday, August 19th. 1pm – 3pm
Wednesday, August 21st. 1pm – 3pm
Monday, August 26th. 1pm – 3pm
Wednesday, August 28th. 1pm – 3pm
Tribal Fusion
Papier Mache Workshop
Take a quick trip around the world and explore masks from a variety of different cultures then mash-up your favorite elements and designs to create your very own tribal mask. The two day workshop will allow participants to design and construct a large mask suitable for decorative display. Due to the lengthy drying time involved in this project there is a one week gap between each session.
This unique experience is recommended for those 16 years and older. The workshops can be physically demanding requiring participants to stand, kneel, lift and work in uncomfortable positions. Papier mache can be a bit messy so please dress accordingly. The class uses a variety of non-hazardous materials such as flour, glue and joint compound, as well as latex and acrylic paints.
Workshop cost is $80 per person which includes all tools and materials.
You are encouraged to bring your own drink and snack. No alcoholic beverages please. Call (989) 750-6457 to register. Payment is due at the first class. Class size is limited to 8 seats.
Tribal Fusion Workshop #1
Friday, June 21st. 1pm – 4pm
Friday, June 28th. 1pm – 3pm
Tribal Fusion Workshop #2
Friday, August 2nd. 1pm – 4pm
Friday, August 9th. 1pm – 3pm
The workshops typically fill quickly so reserve your seat today, I hope you have the chance to experience these unique and very fun classes. Have a great summer!
Etsy Shop Now Open
June 12th, 2013
Severed zombie heads, pumpkins and children’s monster sculptures…the STOLLOWEEN Shop is now open with lots of new items to be added in the following weeks. Click the photo to visit the shop.
Son Of Buster
May 23rd, 2013
My entry for the HauntForum $20 Prop Challenge is a companion piece to my 2010 entry titled “Buster Gravesley.”
Buster Gravesley had a son named Buster. Buster’s son was a gnarly surfer dude head banging sort of guy, always on the look out for the perfect wave. Unfortunately Buster Jr. met his end in the jaws of a Great White Shark and joined his father in the afterlife where he still raises Hell every chance he gets and never misses an opportunity to break free from the confines of his rotting grave. Like father, like son …. Meet Son of Buster.
The Son of Buster Prop was built almost entirely from recycled materials and papier mache.
The prop features a mechanism which allows it to be manually operated. When operated the tombstone cracks in half revealing the Son of Buster creature lurking behind the tombstone.
This piece had to be created for under $20 dollars so the hardware choices were economical, if you plan on building this I would suggest using additional material resulting in a sturdier prop (such as larger hinges, etc.).
Son of Buster took approximately 30 hours to create over the course of a month. This was a fun build and there was a fair amount of experimentation and new techniques in regards to creating the head and the hands. The final prop stands about 3 ½ feet tall and is 2 feet wide.
Mighty Midland Mantis
May 22nd, 2013
Completed a 5 ½ foot tall praying mantis sculpture for the 2013 Summer Sculpture Series Downtown Midland.
The big guy will be delivered this week and all things considered it was a very fun project.
The “Mighty Midland Mantis” was constructed from ½ inch pieces of plywood that were designed to fit together using minimum hardware.
The project was very much like assembling a large wood puzzle.
The sculpture will be displayed in the downtown are of the city during June, July, August and September.
Click here for construction photos.
Forty Favorite Photos
January 17th, 2013
While doing some work which required me to browse through my collection of Halloween and prop photos I selected forty of my favorites presented here in no particular order.
Click the above photo to see the collection.
Enjoy The Season
December 2nd, 2012
Enjoy the season! Click the photo to see the entire zombie snowflake gallery and get the link to the instructions.
Black Gate Gallery
November 2nd, 2012
Posted a collection of photos from our Halloween 2012 display called “Black Gate.”
You can view the entire gallery here.
Black Gate
October 16th, 2012
Due to the weather our display is now closed for the season, thanks to everyone that had a chance to stop by and have a fun and safe Halloween!
GateKeeper Tutorial
October 15th, 2012
The GateKeepers are large gargoyle/demon/alien hybrids that stand guard at the gate of our 2012 Halloween Display. Based on a sketch I created this past summer these creatures are made from papier mache over a wood form.
Complete documentation of the process can be found here.
Faux Wrought Iron Fence Tutorial
October 14th, 2012
Added a Faux Wrought Iron Fence tutorial that uses wood, PVC and foam to create a creepy old fence to dress up your Halloween display. The process is fairly simple and the results are quite impressive.
The complete instructions can be found here.
