Puppets

One of my very favorite art forms is the craft and performance art of puppetry. Jim Henson is a huge influence on my puppets, and on my general imagination. The ability to really bring a character to life with realistic movement is a great joy, and the technical processes of these art pieces are a challenge.

Bruce the Dragon
NFS

Sheet Foam, Hot Glue, Glove

This was my very first puppet, made in January 2008 for a Valentine's Day performance. Bruce is a lip-synching dragon with a gesturing right arm, winking eyes and a large mouth full of pearly whites. He is a very romantic character.

Ringo
$140

Wire, Plaster Gauze, Styrofoam, Feather Boa, Acrylic Paint

Ringo is a marionette critter. What is he? Don't know, he won't tell me. This guy is a very quiet and suspicious character who walks around slowly, tail dragging behind him, glancing around at the humans towering above him.

Head Case

NFS
Sheet Foam, Hot Glue, Yarn, Acrylic Paint

Perhaps the creepiest of my puppets is my own head. The idea stemmed from my ambition to be "decapitated" for Halloween, walking around with a tall jacket that covers my head and holding this puppet in my arms, talking with it. This costume never became a reality, but I still have this disturbing reminder.

Melvin

$170
Wire, Plaster Gauze, Feather Boa, Acrylic Paint, Glove

Melvin is another creature with no recognizable species. He masks his self-esteem issues by being overtly dramatic, and likes to recite poetry in a bad English accent. It's true, Melvin has a face only his mother could love.

Otto the Demon
NFS

Wire, Plaster Gauze, Acrylic Paint, Sheet Foam, Yarn, Nails

Otto is my own personal demon. He may appear "cute" or endearing, but he really is out to get us. His evil actions speak much louder than his words (which are nothing more than animalistic groans and squeaks). His frail arms dangle in front of him, and he slithers like a snake around the shoulders of his assigned human. Beware, he bites!

Doug
$40

Crayola Magic Foamⓒ, Glove

This little guy is a hermit crab. Nothing much to him; he's just happy to scuttle across the table and wave a you with his large claw.