Little Gilligan

Here is another little person paper sculpture, this one is Gilligan from the TV show "Gilligan's Island."

Little Gilligan, July 2001

Baker Street

I took this shot from the top of a building in Wilmington, Delaware.  I don't think the name of this street is really Baker Street, but I love the song by Gerry Rafferty, so , well, there you go...

Baker Street, 1985

A Little Elvis

Several years ago, I did a few paper sculptures of little kid versions of famous people.  Here's one of Elvis.

A Little Elvis, June 2001

Lisa Sandwich

This effect can be achieved fairly easy with an art program like Photoshop.  But it was a little bit more of a challenge back in the "olden days."  This was known as a slide sandwich.  Take two (or more) slightly over exposed 35mm slides, remove them from the cardboard mounts, sandwich them together and put them in a new mount.  This slide sandwich is of my friend, Lisa, and a sunset reflected off water ripples.

Lisa Sandwich, August 1988

Illuminated Leaf

I held this leaf up to the sun to light it up and then tinkered with the composition a little in photoshop.

Illuminated Leaf, August 2006

Monkey Tribal Mask

Here is another faux wood animal pendant made of polymer clay.  There are a few things I would like to change to make it better.  I will eventually take another shot at this one.

Shrooms

I took this one at night using the headlights of my car to light 'em up.

Shrooms, October 1985

On Frozen Pond

It looks like I will be able to post a new photo every Thursday.  This one was taken at Lums Pond in Delaware and I can confirm that the pond was completely frozen over because I was standing on it!

On Frozen Pond, February 1985

Wizard illustration

I did this for a magazine about comic books, called "Wizard".  I felt it wasn't good enough, so I never sent it to them.  This one was done in pen and ink and colored with markers.

Wizard illustration, March 1993

Faux Wood Butterflyfish

I take all my photos of clay pieces outside because the natural light is better than artificial lighting.  The weather didn't cooperate last weekend so my butterflyfish was a little late getting posted. 

Amaryllis Stamen

Here is another one of my "slides to digital" converts.  Although not 100% sure on the flower, I believe it is an Amaryllis.

Amaryllis Stamen, January 1985

Asleep on My Tree

I never finished work on a children's book I was working on called "The Mystic Tree."  All of the art was to be created in paper sculpture.  The story required 42 pages of art, and after finishing three pages, I decided not to go any further.  The story focuses on the Geronimo doll the main character is holding.  I had one of those when I was a kid, along with Jonny West and Odin the Viking.  Anyone out there remember those action figures?


"A gust of wind kicked up and Stephen fell fast asleep on the great tree."

Asleep on My Tree, January 2003

Leafy Seadragon

I snapped this one with my Canon Rebel at the Camden Aquarium in New Jersey.  This was the best I could get shooting through the glass with a flash.  This photo will probably not win any awards, but what an amazing creature!  He looks like he's being shy. 

Leafy Seadragon, August 2006

Japanese Beetle Elytra

Here is a super close-up of the elytra, or wing casings, of a Japanese beetle.


This was a trick I learned with my old Minolta SLR.  You need a 200 mm lens, a 50 mm lens and 2 threaded adapter rings that match the ends of these two lenses.  Superglue the two rings together.  The 200 mm is attached to the camera.  Screw in the adapter ring combo.  Then reverse the 50 mm and screw that onto the adapter ring combo.  Congrats, now you have a super macro set-up.  Actually, almost a microscope!


There are two things to remember if you want to try this.  One, get as much light as possible to help with the depth of field.  Two, I just said it, the depth of field is razor thin, so you want the highest f-stop possible!  And, it goes without saying, a tripod is a must.

Japanese Beetle Elytra, August 1985

Bad Lions

In my quest to make a better lion mask, I churned out some clunkers.  Here are some sculpts that didn't make the grade.

Butterflyfish Sketch

The sculpture and mold are also finished of this butterflyfish.  There should be a finished butterflyfish by the end of the week!