Steel Magnolias: Magnolia Branch

So as a part of the design for Steel Mags were these giant magnolia branches.

On the giant branches were giant magnolia flowers.  Which I was to make out of felt.

They looked awesome and ranged from 1 foot to 3 feet in size and I needed to make thirty of them.

Here's how it went.

Start with whatever color craft felt you'd like.  I used a whole bolt of fabric for 30 flowers.

Cut three squares of fabric per flower, decreasing in size by a few inches or less depending on the size of your flowers.

Cut into flower petal-esque shapes and add extra color and or shadow.

Stretch the felt to create petal magic.

Hot glue down the center of each petal and pinch the seam until set.

  

Glue top layer to middle layer to bottom layer, alternating where the petals fall.  Glue a small rolled up scrap into the center of the flower.

For myself, I repeated this 30 times.

I then painted the branches.

And then attached the flowers to the branch.

 

The end.

Steel Magnolias

So it's been ages.  I've done 9 theatre productions and a wedding since I've last blogged, not to mention whatever other projects have happened in between.  So let's take it all the way back to August to my first show with Stoneham Theatre in Stoneham, MA.  Steel Magnolias.

I was Scenic Charge and Properties on this show.
Designer is Jenna McFarland Lord, who I had worked with back during the Gloucester Stage days (2009).

 

My major work on this show included three magnolia branches with felt magnolias, a painted tile floor, painted wood floor, painted wall paper boarder, sewn curtains, salon furniture rental (Thank You Trinity Rep), and general misc. set dressing and props.

Detail shots!

Tile Floor

 

Wall Paper Boarder

 This particular wall paper boarder is just a simple two part stencil.  I SHOULD have taken pictures to do a how-to section.  But I failed on that, so next time I'm doing some stenciling, I promise to follow through on that!

Sewn Curtains and Cheesy Hair Salon Photos

I made some pretty great period magazines as well.

Quick and Dirty Wood Grain.

 Coming Up: Felt Flower How-To!

Cobalt: The Final Days

Our last project at Cobalt. Two days to paint a front and back landscape that changes with light. Sounds like magic? It is. It's also a bit of a pain in the ass, but totally worth it in the end. This was another one that was all sprayers, with bogus paper and kitty litter masking. On muslin.

First paint something with paint on the front.



Then paint something similar, but different on the back using dyes.


And viola! Watch the video and enjoy the way it changes under light!



It's a little long so feel free to flip through!

After we were done with these projects, we were whisked away to our separate parts of the world and it was all over! Thanks for a great time Cobalt!

Cobalt: Day 17

Finished the project started from yesterday. That is all we did today, take a look at the process!

The images are a little bit blurry, sorry!

Tomorrow begins a new project!

Cobalt: Day 16

I'm very tired, and so not saying much. We did foliage today. Here's a step by step.

Not the most brilliant thing I've ever done...

Here is my favorite example of foliage we saw today.

Close up of the very effective and simply leaf work.


And we started our, "You want me to paint what on that?" projects. Some people got really illustrative looking pieces to paint on things like shower curtains. I got a black and white photo realistic rose to paint on paper... Really? We find out why we got assigned what we got assigned tomorrow. I'm interested to hear, as it was the last thing I wanted... I'm not hating it though, it's quite pretty and if it turns out well, I will hang it on a wall.



That would be my drawing and soon to be puzzle stencil for spraying tomorrow (above) and my base coated piece of paper (below).



Everyone cross your fingers and hope it comes out well!

Inspirational Art: Storm King

At Storm King I saw two more works by an artist I LOVE named Ursula von Rydingsvard. I had first seen this piece of hers (below) at deCordova Art Museum and Sculpture Park in Lincoln, MA.
This one is titled, ence pence.

Then Today, I saw TWO MORE of her work. For Paul

And Luba.

GORGEOUS! THEN!!! I found out that deCordova is doing an EXHIBIT of her work open now until August 28th. So, if you like these, I would highly recommend packing yourself a picnic, and heading over to deCordova in Lincoln, MA for both her outdoor piece (at top) and her exhibit. For more information, go here.

ALSO at Storm King was this beauty...
Kiss by Darrell Petit
It seems to be to be a reference to Brancusi's Kiss, but I can easily say, I prefer this one.
I'm just been introduced to his work today, and am looking forward to more.

Very exciting.
Cheers!

Cobalt: Days 14 and 15

Saturday and Sundays we have off at Cobalt, which means, loveliness happens. We are in such a beautiful part of the country, but are so busy, we don't enjoy it much. Today and yesterday, I did.

Yesterday consisted of doing some laundry (line dried), making sorbet from lemon balm I picked from the forest, picking flowers...

And making journals..... lots and lots of journals. I got mostly done with a few made from beer boxes and the masking paper used on our projects in the studio, but the only one I finished was this one for Lisa's (a girl on the program's) husband Tony. I sold it for $15 because she reminds me of my cousin Jill.

Then today, we went to STORM KING ART PARK!!!!!! It was a gorgeous day filled with Richard Serra, Roy Lichtenstein, Calder, Andy Goldsworthy, and SO many more I could go ON forever.

Here's a photo of Goldsworthy's Storm King Wall. It's so magical in person, and beautiful to touch. If you're anywhere near the area, do stop by this MARVELOUS WONDERLAND! Better than Disneyland, and FAR cheaper.

Here's another sculpture from the park. George Cutts, Sea Change. A beautiful kinetic piece, that the video doesn't do justice to, as the way the light hits the metal makes it look like liquid.



I will say sorry that it is sideways, but apparently, you can't change that on either my phone or youtube. Note to self for next time. There are lots of videos of it on youtube from different angles is you'd like to see more.

After it all, we went to a little place called Painter's Tavern for some DELICIOUS and really reasonably priced food and drink. Perfect portions for both the large and small eaters.

Quite a wonderful day!
And Happy Father's day to my poor dad, stranded alone in a hospital in Phoenix.
Get well soon!