biker puppet

As a new year begins I cant help but look back on the years past and think about my accomplishments. As an artist its easy to become discouraged at times, artist rarely make a lot of money however there is a fulfilling aspect to art. The sense of achievement in making something beautiful or communicates an idea is something that can not be bought.
I'm not sure who the photographer was that took this shot but the subject is me. I made this puppet a summer or two back and sadly all the remains intact is the head. My dog was a teething and chewed everything. Fortunately my dog has pretty much outgrown that habit, with the exception of the occasional shoe. The puppet was mounted on a collapsible bicycle. She sat on a milk crate and had arms and legs that had a great deal of movement. The puppet was made using recycled materials as well as second hand clothing from thrift stores.
The puppet its self is made of Styrofoam, the type that they use to insulate houses with. I carved it by hand sanded it and painted it with acrylic paint. For the hair of the puppet I found a source at a wig shop. Its used in weaves and is relatively inexpensive.

The puppet was made in 2007 I was also working on a the set and props for the play "Birds Eye View" The props I worked on were the birds sculpted in bees wax and hand made paper. I also worked on the sword the the statue is holding. The sword is made with a toy sword that is painted with gold acrylic and covered with gems and shinny things old buttons and beads. The set from the play was amazing and I am honored to have worked on the show. This project was a workshop presentation that was mounted for the 2007 SummerWorks Festival in Toronto, Canada, where it won the Summerworks Festival Prize. The collaborators worked closely enough that any one of us could legitimately be called the other's assistant. However, It was conceived and written by puppeteer Faye Dupras, who is also the performer and puppet builder. Direction and dramaturgy by Erika Batdorf, live music composed and performed by Adam Frederick, and costume design by Marija Djordjevic.

I really enjoy working with puppets and props I'd love to get involved with a similar project.