On the road to Adelaide, half way!
The big Murray Cod!
On the road to Adelaide, half way!
Just what I always wanted!
Christmas marketing ploy at Woden Plaza… Do you think it’s aimed at snake handlers, or those who have too many kittens?
Giant Helicoverpa caterpillar
I’m catching up some blogging on work projects that I have ignored for a while. This is a big model of a Helicoverpa caterpillar and leaf that I made for CSIRO Plant Industry in Canberra a few months ago. There’s a photoset of the making process, with notes along the way. The Helicoverpa caterpillar is the main pest in the cotton industry.
Working on a shell
I’ve promised myself to try to focus more on projects of my own, in between contract work for other people. I find it so easy to fritter time away when I’m not meeting other’s deadlines. So I’ve started back working on a big shell project I first started over 3 years ago. Back then I got as far as sculpting the shell out of clay, and making a ridiculously big and heavy plaster mold of it. It’s about a metre long. Luckily I did have the sense then to make a cradle on casters for it, so I don’t break my back trying to maneuver is around.
A few days ago I sealed the plaster with layers of shellac, which turned it this beautiful golden mustard colour.
Now I am paper mache-ing it inside with tissue paper. I want it to look flimsy and papery and almost transparent, but I don’t know how few layers I can get away with, and still have it come out of the mold intact. The idea of using very fine fibreglass is tempting, but I am sworn off working with fibreglass.
There are a few more photos at Flickr, where I’m making a photoset.
New Monster Workshop arrivals
Remember the Monster Workshop puppets made by Paul Vincett, a 3D illustrator and puppet maker? Check out the cool new arrivals in the Monster Workshop adoption Store, and Paul’s new blog. Or maybe you will join the monster rug trend? ;)
From Mt Taylor
The motivation to walk is a lot less at home than when there are new places to explore! But I have been up on the local hill today. There are lots of roos about this year.
Back
I’m back from a wonderful, happy 10-week adventure overseas. After 10 days at home I’m still finding it hard to settle down. We were in mostly in Europe, but also Novia Scotia, and lastly a few days in the US visiting my good friend Amy, whom I met online over 12 years ago now!
Wandering
I’m lucky to be in Paris for a month, over half gone now. We are living a 15 minute train ride out of the city, and I love my Carte Orange transport card. Once paid it has basically given me free range across the whole city by whichever public transport suits best. It is really efficient for me, except when there are rail strikes. I gather this is relatively often – there was one day this week when the trains weren’t running.
I’ve been doing a lot of wandering on foot, too – through various districts like the M’s – Montmartre, Montparnasse, and the Marais – and others. The other day I walked from the Arc de Triomphe back into the centre down the Champs-Elysee, through Place de la Concorde, and Jardin des Tuileries.
Today I satisfied my curiosity about La Defense, the modern financial district, spending the afternoon there, looking at all the amazing architecture, glass reflections and contemporary sculptures that are dotted all the way through the buildings and walkways there.
Place Igor Stravinski
Here are some photos of the playful fountains just to the south of the Centre Pompidou, in Place Igor Stravinski. Most of them move, for instance the big lips make a slow mechanical nod, and others turn while spouting water. They were created by Niki de St-Phalle and Jean Tinguely. The graffiti snake was high up on one of the walls surrounding the square; I like that it reflects the snake in the fountain.
When I was there, aside from the coffee drinkers, lots of people were sketching, a bunch of boys were playing football, and some other kids were playing an elastics game.
