At the end of February and beginning of March I had worked on a commercial for an organization called WIXX. The commercial is meant to motivate kids to exercise in playful ways.
Our objective had been to build multiple mechanized props and set them up to create a Rube Goldberg effect. The mechanisms were shot with a track motion camera that resembled something like a machine made by the Skynet corporation. The tank-like camera rode on a huge track and was programmed to follow the exact same movements with every take. Shots were taken of the kids interacting with the set as well and then layered in afterwards. Really fascinating stuff!
The spot:
The project was directed by Greg Barth with whom I have worked on creative projects with in the past. And like all his previous projects, a wonderful 'making-of' video was created:
Since completing Gaston the Weasel I've had a bit of a rough month. I worked on a large commercial project that I will be able to post pictures of when it is released, otherwise I have been going through some emotional stress that has kept me from pursuing creative endeavors. I tend to try and keep my personal life separate from this blog, and will probably continue to do so for the most part, but it goes without saying that sometimes life hits you with some unsettling surprises.
I've been getting back on track this past week though, and have some things to share.
First off, I've been sewing and airbrushing the Cthulhu mask for the past couple of days, and here is where I am at with it:
It's exciting to see it at this stage as the end product seems just over the horizon. Stay tuned.
My projects with the kids at Vezina have really progressed too. The senior class is just putting the finishing touches on their mascot of Spongebob Squarepants while the junior class is getting to the final stages of a mascot of one of their instructors.
It is truly amazing that these groups of high school kids with no prior experience in costume fabrication or prop building have created these pieces. I am so proud of them.
As I've mentioned before, the band Trips and Falls, for whom I play drums had recorded an album early last year. While we were hoping for a spring release this year, it has been pushed back to the fall. I am excited for it's release since it will be the first time that I will have had my work with drums recorded and distributed.
We have a single up on our bandcamp page as well as artwork for the album. Also really excited to say that we will be releasing the album on vinyl!!!
Listen here:
And finally, I had mentioned that last summer I had aided my friend Kelsie Parsons with research for his upcoming book on Canadian cheese. He is still working really hard on completing the publication for a release later this year.
Throughout the past year Kelsie has been making contributions to a cheese based blog called Cheese and Toast. He published a new entry yesterday which focuses onFromagerie du Presbytère located in Sainte-Élizabeth de Warwick, Québec. You can read it here, and watch a video that we made together in the entry or below:
I recently completed a mascot for a company based out of Montreal called E-180. This was perhaps the fastest I have ever created a mask and was a different challenge than previous efforts. It was also a relatively cuter creature than my own work and previous commissions.
The bottom left photo is of Christine wearing Gaston. Christine is the creator of E-180.
First up is a recently completed commission for artist Manuel Mathieu who had me fabricate a slightly morbid babydoll head with a bronzish finish. You can read more about this piece in a statement written by Manuel in Arc Magazine. Manuel sent me pictures he had done by Montreal photographer Monsiieur, whose work can be seen here.
The project has been entitled Spooky and he even has his own facebook page so you can keep tabs on him.
I would also like to share an image I photoshopped for my facebook timeline that shows the progress of the fabrication:
Next up is the progress of Cthulhu. Now with tentacles:
And Angler Man, who I fear has been poorly neglected for the better part of a year but has recently had some teeth implanted:
And at Vezina, Spongebob Squarepants and Sam the Teacher:
And most recently, a mascot of a Weasel which I can't reveal too many details about until it's complete:
That's all for now. Hopefully more updates will come soon.
It's been awhile since I've updated, so here is a list of things done in the past little while.
First off, for Christmas every year I usually make my gifts in order to try new things and save money. This year I took advantage of some wonderful ideas presented on crafty blogs.
I made some glass drinking cups cut from wine bottles by following several instructables.
And some pop-up cards following and remixing some ideas presented at Mini-eco.
Also, using some photoshopping and woodburning, I decorated a face of a paddle.
Secondly, I was commissioned to make a mask of Cthulhu too. So you can expect to see some frequent updates of it here.
Though less exciting than the research pics above, here is what I have so far:
And finally here is an update of the projects at the school, Vezina, that I am helping with:
Monday, May 6, 2013 at 10:08AM 
