Bacchus : Galapagos Floats

I returned to painting floats in November of 2011. Originally, I was approached to paint the specialty floats for Bacchus that all the other float painters were too busy to work on, and I found myself really enjoying seeing familiar faces from Kern everyday along with enjoying the work. Free-lancing can sometimes leave you feeling like a pinball, getting knocked from one place in the city to another, sometimes on multiple projects at once. The prospect of steady work again seemed a nice change of pace. So, I am presently painting a large portion of the theme floats for Bacchus' 2013 Mardi Gras parade. It is impossible to get a full shot of the float, but here are a few details from a couple of them. I will add photos to this collection in the near future.

Tea Room Gate Mural

Back in late December, when the weather was a bit nippy, the Audubon Zoo's Tea Room asked if I could complete this mural before the end of the fiscal year. I spent four or five days shivering on the seat of my rolling tool box in order to complete this on time. Afterward, I used an automotive clear-coat to seal it. I think it is one of the prettiest things I've ever done along with the Nature Center mural which washed away in Katrina. I really ought to paint more of nature on my own!

"Boylesk" Show Banners

These two banners were used to flank the stage at the House of Blues during "Boylesk", or the male burlesque show produced by Rick Delaup. He requested that I paint the tug-of-war players in their "garters" without any underwear on. My original plan was to paint one in boxers and the other in briefs. I seemed to scandalize even him with my anatomical correctness, but we fortunately draped the frontal male nudity with the tip of the boa. The female MC for the show did use the tip of her cane to flash the audience at one point! Originally, I thought we would use red boas, but the neon pink was the perfect touch to really intensify my color choices! Hanging in Home Studio Rolled out on then the floor at House of Blues pre-hanging!

"Animal Grossology" Exhibit Entrance

I am quite behind schedule with uploading images to my blog, so I am going to try and update a lot this summer. Here are some photos of my work on the Aquarium's temporary "Animal Grossology" exhibit. Everything was cut out of either 1/4" masonite or 3/4" plywood, then painted and installed by me on site! The artwork and exhibit concept is based on a science-minded children's book.

Discovery Walk Mural Completed

Here are the additional panels for the Cockatoo Pen's low wall. We chose to do a corn snake emerging from some Swamp Milkweed, near a tortoise and hare-type image, though the rabbit represents a Louisiana Swamp Rabbit. The tortoise is really of an African variety. Since the Discovery Walk area has species from all around the world, we did not try and make it strictly indigenous. The owls. I believe were a common variety, perhaps a barn owl. I spoke with so many visitors that Wednesday (before Thanksgiving) as I was working, I have to admit this panel is not my best work.

Discovery Walk Mural

I am absolutely swamped with work right now! Here is my favorite project at the moment- a mural in the Zoo's "Discovery Walk" area. Aiding the goal of education is my favorite aim for a project, and this is specifically for the Zoo's Education Department. It wraps around the area where the cockatoos are most often on display, though animals like the Rainbow Boa, also featured in this mural, are sometimes out to be petted by the general public.

Two more days on other panels and it will be complete!

Princesses Strike Again, Part II

As usual, the stage's backdrop was a hard wall 8' x 16', and we chose the classic story book format for it. I actually came up with some appropos words for the books beginning, since it is actually a dance presentation by the children.