Horology by Eric Freitas

Horology  

noun

1. The study and measurement of time.

2. The art of making clocks and watches.

            -Oxford Dictionary 

Eric Freitas

 I can't think of many arts that are so intertwined with their subject nor can I think of an artist who's work is the sole need as an example of discipline than Mr Eric Freitas and his clock making. Freitas was born in Chelsea, Michigan, studied his BFA at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and currently lives and works in Royal Oak Michigan.

Mechanical No. 5

The first work of Mr Feitas's I came across was Mechanical No. 5. This was maybe sometime in 2009, it was a staring feature in an article concerning the seemingly death defying sub-culture-(fashion) of steampunk. I'm not sure I see steampunk, I feel that is unjust. I've mentioned my acceptance of convenient terms of reference in my occasional online rants and I will try not to contradict myself here. The punks of steam are a very creative bunch but I believe are often, somewhat tarnished by low quality crafters drifting scene to scene and the odd commercial encroachment, so please, do know I see their battle and would happily give them a boost but I do not see coal, steam or any continuation of the steam age timeline. I do see brass and gears but like when I see a horse, I do not see a Tesco burger, a brass gear makes a steampunk not.

Mechanical No.7

I see design. I see theory's tested. I see a young Leonardo up late with candle and secret commission. I see cryptic structure and clue, not for the sake of but for necessity, protection and uncertainty. There is no doubt, a hint of the Prince Dakkar but it seems to me, this is our reference, not that of Freitas. His work is pure and consistently his own but maybe channelled. His devices are unique in that the art of clock making is stretched, force to overlap aesthetics and myth. The purity of measurement is treated, decay morphs into creation. We are left wondering with only the knowledge of our position in the day or night to ease the incomprehensible. Eric Freitas presents an inspiration, an invitation. To what world we can only surmise. And we are better for the wonder.


ericfreitas.com

Handmade Arcade

Only a few short days to go until the hustle 'n' bustle of Handmade Arcade cranks up once again Thanks to Hayley and Nathan of NGNGDesign. I'm really looking forward to getting back to Fore St and seeing what everyone has been up to over the last two months.

Coming from a very long line of "do it yourself"ers it's habit for me to walk streets and wonder what marvellously inventive things are going on behind the walls. Although I'm kinda use to meeting folk and expecting them to be up to some kind of "extra curricular activates" ;-) it never ceases to amaze me at the variety and to the extent some of these run. Handmade Arcade and anything like it are great places to have a wee peek into the creative lives of other folk and maybe even inspiration to take up a new hobby. They are proof that being interdependent and original are good things. They also show that people with different interests are really not that different at all and the most common coals of community, friendship and experience are shared by everyone.
 

I've been a lil slow on the up take but thanks to my friends over at Facebook I can tell you Abi and Leon of The Spirit Forge (facebook) will be there showing off their unique Wiccan goods as well as the ever bewildering work of glass artist Madeline Bunyan. I also have it on good authority that the ever growing and proud Exeter Local Records will also be slinging some tunes. That's all the goss' I've been able to pick up so far but rest assured there will be plenty more. Please take a few moments to check these good folk out and pop down on the 2nd of March to see many many more.

No rest for the wicked.

Exeter's only faithful weather lady has joyously informed me that the few lonely blooms are no joke. We have achieved three days straight with out rain. The shadowless grey of this good Thursday is doing it's best to hide that spring is here. I smell paint, glue and various art and craft surplies in the air. Right across this little town artisans of every kind are wrapping up the last of the fresh work and counting their change. Thanks to the good folk at No Guts, No Glory, Handmade Arcade is back.  

Myself and lot's of other interesting and far more talented crafters will be dragging our rag tag selves to the intimate, ever changing and fiercely interdependent McCoys Arcade on Fore St on the 2nd of March for some live music, friendly chin wagging, a hot brew or seven and some good ol' style handmade goods of every kind.

 

I know a few of the people who will be having stalls but I'll let you all know when I find out a bit more gossip. Pop on down and say.

Richard Stipl

Every six or so months I go looking for a photography book I saw once containing 1950s domestic scenes of "housewives" and "gentlemen" nursing and entertaining bizarre alien type creatures. I can't find it anywhere, it's driving me crazy. During a google thrashing session about a year ago looking for it, I found Richard Stipl. He kicked my arse.

Stipl was born in 1969 in Czechoslovakia. His family escaped the Soviet forces to the refugee camps of Austria during 1979. It was after a short, but no doubt impacting, stay they moved to Toronto in 1980. He attended the Ontario College of Art and Design from 1988 to 1992 and until a few years back was primarily a painter. His current work consists of wax figures or heads in various groupings or singular. The term for this style I guess is hyper (sur)realism but Stipl's work is very much a departure in this genre. 

Obscene sized or cross-species/genetic hybrids are bread 'n' butter now. Although impressive and close to my heart the clock has been ticking for the hyper clique but the usual suspects seem to care not. Stipl for me is different. Hyper to the extreme and his skill here is coveted for sure. Somewhat backhandedly his own website states "Stipl stands apart from his contemporaries through his uncanny ability to breathe a vital and invigorating “life force” into his art works, regardless of media". I think there is more to him than this skill. It is his surrealism for me that sets him apart. His interest is the human form. The real one. The one we see and the manifestation of the one we don't. It is not imagined or theorised. Implications of setting or future are of no interest. We see now, like it was an explosion burning your face and eyes. 

Quarter scale lives battle their own souls oblivious, shameless, in public. Their concerns hide us. We are, in-turn, faced with no choice but the uncomfortable show of the most private of moments. The rabid nature of confusion, the awkwardness of image. The physical manifestation of personal thought turns these souls to beasts and gods, among chaos for extended seconds.

I had night terrors as a teen. They slowly leak away from the already awake mind but the crossover stays forever. Richard Stipl has lived a long life for a young artist. I wait for the day I'll be able to see his work in the waxy flesh. Until then I'll die every moment. I wonder what it will be like to be faced with myself.

Click here for Stipl's web page. I hear a .com is on it's way.

At the mountains.

Just finished a couple of versions of my Miskatonic University Seal. The dark version is in my opinion a little more of a modern take. This is produced by the Uni's secret society fraternity. The lighter version is a little more traditional although I think the font is still slightly mismatched. These are Part of a project I've been working on for a while. I'm afraid it still has a ways to go but feel free to enjoy these under creative commons licence.

Update- So after a little more playing around this is the new seal for my secret society project. I've swapped out the stripes and gone with a checker board for a masonic feel and ajusted a few other things. I'm happy enough with it for the moment but the finishes item will be a little different still. The motto will be changed and the Miskatonic University Arkham will also be replaced with the society name. I'll keep that under my hat for the moment but things are moving along.

Dogū. Ancient Aliens

Shakōki-dogū 1000–400 BCE. Tokyo National Museum Japan

One has to enjoy a good story. Si non è vero è ben trovato. I can't help but love the ancient aliens theory. At best Eric von Daniken has cracked wide open the meaning behind some of the world's greatest mysteries. Huh. At worst created some of the most entertaining books and television series I have had the laugh out loud pleasure of enjoying. Not unlike cryptozoology, the ancient aliens ideas are great fun and very infectious. I love they way Daniken ties so many different and seemingly random historical elements together and weaves an epic story of forgotten interaction. My favourite artifact from the theory would easily be the Dogū. Dating from 14,000–400 BC the Dogū are found right across Japan. They are found in many different forms, from animal to human. The heavily stylised designs have been interpreted in as many and diverse ways as the forms themselves. Like many seemingly normal artifacts it is apparent to Daniken and fans like myself that the only obvious reason for these liknesses is alien contact with prehistoric man.

Dogū. Jomon period 14,000-400 BC.
Unearthed at the Ebisuda dig in Tajiri by Dr Barry John.

 I started mine with a reasonably common Dogū silhouette. Once the general figure was formed I began to add small details. I didn't want them too fine as I wanted to achieve a look of carved stone. I then added cuffs to give the appearance of a suit, boots and a type of head dress. The next step was easily the hardest. I wanted my Dogū to be unmistakeably an ancient alien but at the same time the idea of early man interpreting this mysterious figure had to be apparent. I added a box to the back of the suit and added shoulder straps, as backpacks would be a recognisable device and hinted at some type of powerful force contained by way of a sun carving and thrust coming from the bottom. I tried different types of mask or breathing apparatus and again settled with a mixture of commonly Dogū style eyes with simplified filter type mask.

I've worked on this one for a while now between larger projects and I think this was the best way to go. I've been able to try different details and find a balance of archaic interpretation, traditional sculpture and Danikenian lore.

I have some exciting news coming up on my Dogū so stay tuned. I'll keep you posted.

Paul Bowring

Rites and Rituals

Relic. Rites and Rituals: 6

I met Mr Bowring while working at the Crocus Gallery in Nottingham. Paul was a technician there and one of the go to crew. This gave me ample opportunity to try get to know him and pick his brains. We'd spoken a few time before I saw one of his pieces and to be honest I don't know now what I was expecting. We'd talked mainly about film and life's tos and fros. I'd found out he enjoyed the odd Lynch and a dose here and there of Terry Gilliam. He'd mentioned his fondness of the sonic lobotomy that is LD50 and occasionally wore black t-shirts. Obviously I found Paul to be a kindred spirit. On reflection so many things pointed to Paul being an individual capable of expressing the way only a true individual can. But like bullets on a desk belie inertia, Mr Bowring's quiet, gentle manner ensured a surprise soul kicking of the acrylic kind. This post concerns Bowrings "Rites and Rituals" series. Unfortunately to date these are the only works of his I've had the pleasure of seeing in the flesh.

Resolute. Rites and Rituals: 8

It's immediately apparent looking at Bowrings work that there is story there. We've walked in late. The settings are placeless, halls and rooms leading to and from others during nondescript hours. His characters are slight, dressed in a style of neither past nor present but at the same time both. We find them often caught during their transition from one space to another in intimate yet surprised liaison. Intentions are mysterious and covert. Apprehension hangs thick despite the shadowed faces. The walls and arches steer these beings but do little to restrict their scope. These stories are long, involved and personal. There is a high degree of contrast in both the ambient light and the identity of the subjects. Some seem human and very much alive yet others have a distinct air of ghostly or other worldliness. I get the impression what we're seeing is not the end, not even close. It's the thick of the action and the drama still refuses to give up the direction. It's all right there but as a viewer I feel primordial. These scenes we glimpse have played out over millennia and they are no longer on our evolutionary rung. In fact his characters no longer need the ladder. The world Paul presents is far off yet we all seem to be playing a small part in getting there.  

Schism. Rites and Rituals: 2

I spent a few quiet moments in front of one of Bowrings works from the "Rites and Rituals" series one night during an opening and I don't think I'll ever forget the experience. Once I'd become accustom to the light and the scene and motion developed, I felt a strange sense that the frozen time before me would at any moment once again begin to tick. I wanted to step forward. Not for a closer look but to keep pace with the events. A very enjoyable experience and a feeling I strive to achieve in my own work.

I hear throught the cybervine Paul is looking to launch a new web site so keep checking back for new content. Please click the link here for Paul Bowrings site.http://www.thepaintdistresser.com/

Deacon, there's a fly in my cauldron.

Being a self abscessed moron, I have been able to enjoy a few of the fine things in life. My reflection for example. Unfortunately education has long eluded me and instead misunderstanding and confusion is often my basis for opinion. For this reason I have, for a long time held one pet peeve close to my liver (that's the beating one eh?). I've been interested in occult art for a long time but have failed to recognise both the occult and art in many forms. I can remember many times giving the response, “Yes but what is it saying?” “It's only a suggestion, where's the message?” “They are to scared to say what they really mean!” It has at time really pissed me off! I'm sure many of you may now see where I've failed and already know where this is going so please feel free too dismiss the rest of this post for I deserve it.

Cathedral of Saint Peter. Exeter UK

Being in the general vicinity of the grand Cathedral of Saint Peter (the current site est: 1133) in Exeter city in Devon I was inspired to read up on church reading. I've known about the occult nature of church design for a long time but never gave it more than a passing thought. I know right! Anyway, other than the masturbation that is St Peters “longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in England.” it possesses many notable features I and would urge anyone who has the opportunity to check it out. Click here for the wiki page or here for “How to read a church” by Dr Richard Taylor . I've found it really interesting to investigate the complexity of the symbolism contained in these buildings and more so concerning the readable history and the often no holds barred stories available if we just know where to look. 

Leo's mate and proportional gangstar Luca Pacioli

 

This church fancying like many of the best things in life turned me onto the “harder stuff”! Italian mathematician and monk Luca Pacioli was born in 1445 in Tuscany. He was as well as being a good buddy of no other than Leonardo da Vinici a bit of a bad arse. He published several works on mathematics, art and magic including the “De divina proportione” (1509). This particular work is concerned with mathematical and artistic proportion. That's right folks, the golden ratio. Until then mathematical and proportionate ideas concerning artistic layout and design had been very hush hush. Pasted down from mentor to student in both art and building trades and protected as vigorously as the good Colonel's proprietary knowledge. In my opinion this is also a telling point. Freedom it seems from Pacioli actions is knowledge and vice versa. The occult is in understanding the occult. Pacioli gives every Tom, Dick and Barry licence to paint. It is also interesting to note Pacioli's “De viribus quantitatis” on mathematics and magic, written at the during the same time and published a year latter than “De divina proportione” was divided into three parts. A man obsessed. Leonardo work is beginning to be re-examined after the article by Ian Suk and Rafael Tamargo in a 2010 edition of the scientific journal Neurosurgery concerning the hidden anatomical information in his painting. The same year numbers and letters were found in Ms Lisa's eye's. Unfortunately investigation of renaissance art in a occult regard is still shunned by academia but it seems we've only scratched the surface.

Piet Mondrian. Composition No. 1: Lozenge with Four Lines, 1930.

So the beauty of the golden ratio and right click, open in a new window took me to Piet Mondrian. I've found abstract art easy to dismiss as self indulgent. I'm not really interested in deconstruction unless it's in regard to fixing something. That's something I'm not very good at but I'm sure the idea is to put it back together in the original way. Mondrian's De Stijl cubism places extreme restrictions on his work contrary to my general impressions of abstract and as such is far from self-indulgent. His fascination with the golden ratio points also to another man obsessed. Here though, where is the statement? Is he all about the religious trinity? Is he questioning it? Is he looking for the basis of visual appeal? My initial peeve and the point I missed. A Nottingham based sculptor Alyn Mulholland produces some work in a similar vein. Geometric structures constructed of plates engage the viewer in light play. But what does it mean?

Alyn Mulholland. Rothley Lodge Commission.

The subtly of suggestion is the most powerful tool in occult art so much so it retains it's true essence. Occult, hidden. It is the art of investigation that can be taught. The lessons of life must be learned. The Tau represents the duality of the material world and the unified heavens. The material world is divided as are the heavens from it. When we choose we walk through one of the doors of the encircled Tau and find that which we choose. All the while the mysteries watch. The gods are good. They just want to make sure. On a side note I find it interesting when the Tau device is deployed in church design the heavens are also often divided but not completely by a Saint or religious figure.

Left: Encircled Tau. Right: Tau device used in church door design.

To hint at the mysteries of the unknown or other worlds is not nor has ever been the end of the statement. It is not saying I don't know anything other than it's is there. It is an invitation to look further. To consider ourselves in relation to. It's saying "I've looked into this. I enjoyed the process. You may too. I get it now. I've known to do this. I just didn't know that's what they were telling us to do. Yoda would be both glad and relieved. I've had a delusion that one must be obvious. I've thought to play an honest game of poker it's only right everyone knows who has what cards. I've had a belief one could teach any and all lessons to a passive audience. While all the time doing the same thing I've accuse these great names of. A few nights ago I was at dinner with minds far beyond my own and during the course of conversation I expressed my occasional regret at the name of this blog. Although I've already discussed the origin of the title, I often receive questions and more often accusation about the association or even more ridiculous, my own dedication. Many lessons are to be learned from all of this. The most obvious is don't judge a book by it's cover but further more read the book. Click the link for the pdf of Talks with a Devil. Any further question regarding my devil worship are now being handled by my press secretary Helen Wait. Please see her.

Tracie Shaylor

I only just really stumbled onto Tracie Shaylor's work. Like a lot of social network connections they tend not to work until some kind of formal introduction. I was doing some lurking on the dreaded Facebook today and Tracie's Name popped up. Cue stalking.

I've stolen a couple of pictures of her work from her website which you'll find in my links or click here and you'll go straight to her bio. Very interesting reading. Ms Shaylor is primarily concerned with biotechnology and the associated ethics. I must admit I was certainly impressed with her work and not only because of the subject matter. It is a rare and pleasant thing to find artists who are not afraid to produce work with such immediate impact but who also strive to and achieve work containing readable and coherent ideas. Check it out, you'll be glad you did.

Eugenic overspill

Contra Naturam I

The Servants, Michael Marshall Smith

 

I stopped reading Stephen King books a long time ago. Can I get a halaula. I don't mind a bit of horror and they are mostly good. Mostly (see what I did there?). I just always hated the fact within the last two pages the thing or guy or beast or clown would turn into a ghostly figure and drive his equally ghostly horses and carriage into the night sky. Then there was The Tommyknockers. Before I get abusive messages about putting Mr King next to Mr Smith, please bare with me.

I read The Servants a few months back. My first Michael Marshall Smith in a while. I've been reading the Strawmen books and a couple of other MM's but the MMS's are truly something else I'm sure you'll all agree. Like all his books under MMS it takes me months to recentre and find the right mental shelf to place the new found sentences. I love this about Smith and although The Spares tore me to my very thin soul I thank Mr Smith for the pleasure. The Servants is no exception although it is a slight departure. It's gentle, more like some of the short stories but it is still a very surprising book. Living in the UK currently made the story even more interesting as the images are so much more familiar and the subtleties of the new loosely plastered on top of the old are all there.

Young Mark is all of us. Mr Smith never lets us for get this but There is something else here too. His mothers peace, his stepdads fight and his fathers anger are even more us, even more real for the understatedness. Smith like every tell off I've ever had cuts me to the bone very quietly. This lil number happens while life goes on. The point is clear and I've grieved for the moments I've pissed away and I'm back now.

I'm sorry in a way now that I never persevered with The Tommyknockers. I'm also sure I don't need to now. Sorry Stephen. Thank you Michael. I should say I realise Kings idea was to morph but I believe the art in his his writing was the style even if I don't see it in the story. I can now appreciate the pace of The Tommyknockers. I never got it before Smith.

www.michaelmarshallsmith.com

You only live once

+3 + -5 = -2

Be careful who you let into your life.

Best wishes to you all for the new year. May your choices be correct and your course true.
Stay safe.


Barry John

Offerings of a bird man

Offerings of a bird man. Mixed media 251mm tall

Jock Orr, the Birdman of Cathedral Square in Christchurch New Zealand died in 1988. I was 12. I remember him very well considering my age and the fact I've forgotten so many other things during that time. I remember nobody seemed to like him. He was thought of as very strange and frighting and maybe even dangerous. I remember the first time I saw him being ushered to the opposite side of my mother as we neared. I wonder now whether this is the basis of the opinions of him that have stuck with me. It was never hard to find him in the square. You just looked for a blur of chaotic white and grey billowing with the cries of seagulls and pigeons surrounded by a large gap in the crowd. I remember this as shameful. A stain on the tourist friendly image of my home town. A dirty singularity.

I've always been aware of the birds. They're everywhere. Fleeting in some way but steady in reserve. Mocking with flight. Closer to both reptiles and the heavens and never letting us forget it. I've seen them watching me with weary disregard. I feel the same, just with a healthy dose of jealously.

According to the Christchurch City Council website the remembrance plaque of Jock Orr is on north facing wall of the old Chief Post Office Building in Cathedral Square.

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/cityleisure/artsculture/artinthecity/memorials/plaques/plaques7.aspx

Alex CF

Alex CF

 

If you haven't heard of Mr Alex CF something is very wrong. He's an illustration artist who's work features in many mediums including lot of design work for bands and promotional material. Obviously every artist has a day job and his is none other than the sole curator and custodian of the incredible Merrylin Cryptid Collection.

Infant Draco Alatus

Being one of the only examples of it's kind I can't begin to explain how important the Merrylin Collection is. The work in the cryptozoology field has always been lacking due to the close minded pop science community but thanks to the hard work of Mr Alex CF it is safe to say the world is a better place. 

Homo Vampyrus

 Check out this Video link to learn more about the Merrylin Cryptid Collection.

Mr Adam Jones

Before another year passes and this link becomes even older. I never seem to hear enough about Mr Jones. Here is a lil interview from 2010 on Artist direct.

Blogs and linking to blogs n stuff.

Those of you who know me know my computer and web skills have the finesse of a toddler mashing their soggy bread into a laptop keyboard but I try. I found out how to add links to this page. They are just down the right hand side titled, Links. I know, I toiled with the title for hours. There you'll find many an interesting artists, a couple of artifact and prop builders and a few interesting art blogs I follow. I've added some of these as a point of reference and others because of the quality of the work but all make interesting reading.

Blog'n about blogs and people who write blogs.

The times have been crazy I tell ya. The last month or so has just disappeared but left many a bizarre artifact and document so that in the new year I'll be able to look back and have prof it really did happen. So, the evidence. I got a wee mention on So Super Awesome. I thought that was really lovely. When I hear people mention or tell me they've read my blog my first thought is "Oh God, they know I'm mental now" but I'm really touched for the thought. They are great folk who do very nice work too. I'm hoping to have a wee chat with them asap and getting the low down on how it is for them so I'll give ya the gossip when I get it. Annnnnnnd Handmade Arcade posted some lovely words about the last event. It's all going on in the south!

Exeter is an interesting lil town. We have the mall and various dirty corporate bunkers shooting subliminal messages from their store fronts in the centre of town. Fortunately like so many other cities if your willing to machete through the vines of Christmas shoppers and find yourself in one of the ally ways or even better on Fore St the rewards are endless. Handmade Arcade is on Fore. It's held in McCoys Arcade. The Arcade itself appears as if it's been there forever and houses a few really amazing small businesses but few know. Like every other city with a place like McCoys the businesses in there fight tooth and nail to market themselves on budgets of nothing and no prime time screaming. What the good folk at No Guts, No Glory have done is develop a monthly hand crafted goods market (weekly during December) as a vehicle. The crafters put much work into their goods and go to inspiring lengths to market and display them and build interest. Hayley and Nathan from No Guts, No Glory go to extraordinary lengths to promote the event and get the public down there. I see the surprised faces of the Exeterites as the walk in and all too often I hear them say "I didn't even know this place was here". My first visit to McCoys Arcade was two weeks after I arrived here.

The point is Hayley and Nathan use Handmade Arcade as a way to promote their vision of Exeter. Actually scratch that. They do it because that is the right thing to do. It's a good thing and a way I aspire to. They do it to bring people into the arcade, for us as crafters and stall holders as well as for the other businesses in there and for all of Exeter. They do not because it is easy (hahaha see what I did there?). I know the grief they put up with to put this event on. This kinda thing is never easy for countless reasons but they do it anyway. They'll do it where ever they are. We need to ensure we don't loose places like McCoys arcade to St&%B@*ks or any other homogenized rubbish but more importantly we need to ensure we don't loose people like Hayley and Nathan. We need to ensure people who think outside the box and do what they think about. If your town or city has folk like them tell em before you wish you had.


EDIT: Here is a selection of pic's I've stolen from the Handmade Arcade blogspot for old times sake. Thank you both for the good times.:-)

The Anglergnome

A few months back I became quite interested in the Anglerfish. I know I'm not the only one. I see them and their likeness in all types of art and pop culture. I'm not really sure what it is about them I like or despise the most. bioluminescence is an amazing thing, a truly remarkable part of nature. On the other hand the idea of the carrot and stick is familiar but at the same time and under close examination perverse. Coercion obviously is not always a bad thing. I am quite glad I no long wear nappies or bite people I'm not getting on with but I also find the slippery, salty corporate lure of the golden arches to be one of the most disturbing things about the state of the world. 

Survival Research Laboratories

I've been a big fan of Survival Research Laboratories since about 1999 when I stumbled across them while I should have been working on my graphics diploma. Back then and for many years previously I'd wanted a droid. I still do but thanks to Mr Pauline and S.R.L. I now realise you can't keep wild animals. Follow the link below to Lioncorn blogspot and a great video of Mr Mark Pauline.

 

Lioncorn: Mark Pauline and SRL: No regrets.

Death heads

I started this project last year while living in Nottingham. I was volunteering at a great lil Gallery up there Called the Crocus Gallery (link below) and I hoped this would be my first piece in there. Alas I bit off a bit more than I could chew. I really under estimated how long these babies would take.  The idea is in is to have a series of five heads and five transitional stations depicting different stages of ceremony, science or knowledge in regards to the history of death or burial. To date I have only managed to finish two.

 The first it a replica of an Egyptian mummy. It uses real human hair (thanks ebay) and the skin is just trusty ol air dry clay. 

The second is a sectioned anatomically correct head. This is also just air dry clay on a cast plaster skull. Both are life sized and very heavy. 

The next one is in the works at the moment but is slow going as time is currently similar to hens teeth. I'm hoping to have it knocked early next year and then it's only two more to go.

 If you're in Nottingham pop into the Crocus Gallery. There is always something interesting going on in there and they are a very talented and friendly group.

http://crocusgallery.co.uk/

Left hand and heart of a convicted Witch.

Here is a little prop set I put together from an old wooden box and some odd and ends. Most of the paper props you see in the photos are items I'm collecting for a "From The Mountains Of Madness" set but I think they look good combined here.

 It seems the most famous Witch trials in England were the Pendle witches of 1612. The twelve women lived in the Pendle Hill area in Lancashire and were charged with the murders of ten people by the use of witchcraft. All but two were tried at Lancaster Assizes on 18th and 19th August and subsequently executed.

Witches hands were often kept as trophies and good luck charms. Of course eventually "good taste" prevailed and keeping (witches) human hands on the mantle became thought of a little crass. The good god fearing folk then, with little choice, turned their blades to the only other possible accomplice to 17th century evil. The rabbit and his lucky foot.

Here's the finished product and the next one is the base of the box. I added another faux museum label and a random worn serial/item number sticker to hint at a bit of trading history.

I'm pretty happy with how this turned out and have a few more mythos style projects in the works including a Lovecraft inspired one I'm really excited about.