The Christmas Project is done!

Here is the final video!

http://youtu.be/ZTEZ4dYESlQ

#Christmas Puppet Project

Preproduction of the Christmas Puppet Project is nearly done! Since October, my friends and I have been working hard to make this short video a reality. Here are pictures of the process so far. 

A storyboard was needed to promote and explain my idea to potential puppeteers and crew. 

After some image research, I made sketches. 

Paperclay was the best material for sculpting the heads and hands. 

Many tests were needed to make sure the puppets worked properly with a minimum amount of puppeteers. 

A crash course in needle felting helped me create the animals for the scene. 

My friend Beth spent a lot of time creating the costumes for these characters. 

Here I'm working on finalizing Mary's head covering. She also has her arms rods in place. 

We are so excited to share this with everyone! Thank you for stopping by!

To keep up with this project on Twitter or Instagram look for #ChristmasPuppetProject. And stay tuned because filming day is this coming Saturday!! 

Puppet Jamboree

This past weekend a friend (of the human variety) and I went to Helen GA to attend the Southeast Regional Puppet Jamboree! It was a blast and Gracie was quite a hit! This was my first puppet festival and it most certainly won't be my last. I'm hoping to get some videos posted as well. Stay tuned for more project updates!

Good stuff

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44)

We need a little more of this. 

Feeling connected

Wow! I feel so socially adept. Follow all of my artistic adventures on the following social networks

LinkedIn

Jennifer Himes

Layout/Production Artist

https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=329768651

Twitter

@Jhimesy 

@PotentialAwe

Pinterest 

http://www.pinterest.com/jhimesy/

Instagram

Jhimesy

I'm also working on a YouTube channel but that will come later. 

Now it will be so much easier for the world to see my work! This coming week is going to filled with activity as I will be attending a clothed figure painting event tomorrow and a surprise event in downtown Pensacola on Saturday. Stay tuned! Share with your friends!

Chalk Paintings

So you are organizing a fundraiser or outdoor event. Either you need something to draw in the crowds or you need to spruce up an unsightly concrete surface. Chalk paintings are a simple and creative way to do both!
The best part is the price! This service is offered at cost. You only pay for materials and travel expenses. Because of a current exclusive contract, I do not earn a profit.
If you are interested, please contact me at least two weeks prior to your event with pictures of the space, written permission from the owners of the property noting that you will be responsible for clean-up.

Chalk paintings are also great for photo shoots and weddings!

 

Chalk It Up! Pensacola, 2013

Pastel painting on paper

Toads

My new project is going quite well so far. I'm really excited about it.
This is the beginning of Toad of Toad Hall!
Here are the first rough sketches and color studies.

 The other day I finally purchased a small wacom tablet. I thought for sure that a small one would be irrelevant but as it turns out, any wacom tablet is better than none at all. I love it.
This Toad of Toad Hall project is starting out as a character design, becoming a sculpture and may end up as a puppet.
In these sketches I'm only wanting to capture what I know about the character. I'm not trying to illustrate parts of Wind in the Willows, and I'm not looking into details. I'm simply taking my impression of the character and putting it into visual form.
Stay tuned for more! Thanks for stopping by!

Gracie Puppet

The new Gracie Puppet is nearly finished. The only thing left is to make a new wig out of a different material (I'm thinking strips of a knit fabric like a tee shirt). Here is a video of her showing off a little. http://youtu.be/tt7DqstmEMo

Project Monday!

It's another Project Monday where I post pictures of the projects I'm up to this week.
I work on multiple projects at once so don't be surprised when you see more than one project featured. I will do my best to stay on track though. The first project you might notice is the updated banner at the top! It's still a work in progress.

The next was deciding to promote my Fine Art America profile to get a few sales.
There is a program called Zbrush that allows one to digitally sculpt on the computer. It costs quite a bit of cash plus I will need a Wacom tablet. Therefore, I let the Facebook world know that I have fine art prints for sale on this link. Feel free to check it out! There are many different sizes and there is also a smart phone case option. So if you like pastel paintings like this...

or like this...

You should buy one. Thank you.

On with the projects!

More sketching of the girl with the basket and flower. I'm adding a shawl and I'm thinking about removing the hat. Her balance isn't quite right, so there will be more work on paper before I start sculpting.
This week I researched different mold making processes. There are brush-on molds that look very promising. If you would like more info on where to find the materials just let me know!

The supplies for the Gracie Puppet rebuild arrived today!

Antron fleece on the bottom, a couple sheets of foam rubber, a sheet of hard plastic and swatch of red suede. I really like the suede for the inside of the mouth. Antron fleece is different from regular blanket fleece. It has a fluffy (and somewhat sparkly) side and a smooth side. Blanket fleece is fuzzy on both sides and is often thinner than Antron and it's very dull in texture. Apparently there is only one company left that makes Antron and they only do it once a year so it's usually an online order only item.
This fleece takes a dye very easily so I can make it whatever color I want. In the past I've wanted to make a video and tutorial on how to dye Antron fleece, but it's so involved that it's really hard to get every step. In the coming weeks I'll be working on Gracie quite a bit so I hope you look forward to it!

Speaking of Gracie, I'm working on some ideas for YouTube videos and made some sketches.

Here Gracie is sitting and singing on a rock with some foliage around it. 
Originally, Gracie had yarn for hair. This time I'm going to make her a wig out of strips of red t-shirt material. I might add a couple fluffy feathers for texture too. 

Here you can see the more technical side of the rock. In order for Gracie to sit on top of it, I have to be sitting under and inside the rock. While that might sound difficult, I think I have it figured out. It will take some work, but it will be worth it. Add a simple backdrop and it will be a lovely forest scene.

That's about it for this Project Monday. Thanks for stopping by!

Project Monday! From 1/13/14

Its still Monday. Well last week was a bit of a wake up call. Life is getting real folks. I started a story board and more sketches for the Caanan Bound puppet video. I should begin sculpting this week. Stay tuned!

A Late Project Monday (1/20/14)

Sorry about how late this one is. Last week was a doozy.
I made some sketches, But tonight I found some photos of a friend of mine that I might use for a new project. A couple of the other sculpture projects were just not working out so this one will take their place.

I've also ordered some Antron fleece to remake my first puppet, Gracie. That project should only take a couple days once I get the materials. 

Thanks for stopping by! Stay tuned for more projects!

My Audition

Last fall my Twitter feed was abuzz with news of a puppeteer workshop held by the Sesame Workshop in NYC. I sent an audition video back in October and waited patiently. Just yesterday I got an email that said I was not accepted but that I should keep it up. Which doesn't surprise me since this was my first real puppet video. Now I am boldly posting it with hopes that it will make someone smile. In the future I plan to make better videos than this one. Enjoy!

Project Monday!

The very first Project Monday!
This series of posts is mainly for my own motivation, but hopefully you will be able to enjoy the journey with me as I work towards starting and finishing the following projects.

I am a production artist at a publishing firm, but I'm also working on a second masters degree in sculpture and I have a passionate interest in puppetry.

Here are the Projects!

1) Gracie Puppet Rebuild

Those who have followed my first blog called Puppet Venture will recognize Gracie as my first attempt at puppet making. She is now almost a year old and it shows. She needs a total revamp and I'm excited to be able to make her more like my original idea.

2) Woman in water Sculpture

It's possible that this one should remain a little mysterious until I'm really ready to work on it. But you will be seeing sketches and ideas about it in the future.

3) Rod puppets

Sorry that the picture is sideways. I would really like to make some rod puppets to perform some music videos for YouTube. This one is a prototype made with polymer clay. Tonight I'm going to try sculpting in oil clay and making a mold. I will then cast the parts in paper clay. I may try polymer again but I think this direction might be better. 

Well, that's it for this Project Monday!

Potentially Awesome is on Twitter and would love to hear your feedback! Let me know what you think @PotentialAwe