POCKETMAN - Part 2: The Completion

Well, with the Gallery show and the Steampunk Exhibit behind me, I was finally able to complete the costume and weapons for Medicine Show Cinemas/Litchfield Pictures "Pocketman".  As mentioned in a previous post, the creature, Pocketman is roughly based on the Plague Doctors of 1348 through 1350. He does however have the addition of  stilts, blades, and a 9 foot trench coat (as seen in the stills above). There is also a bit of Steampunk flair to the mask and costume as requested by the Director, Sean Michael Argo. Although I do not yet have pictures of the whole costume on the actor, I can say that this will be a very imposing creature when it is on screen.

To begin, my wife's dress form was commandeered and altered to reach the hight of the actor on stilts. The coat was built off of a London Fog coat I found at Good Will. The coat was in great condition and I had originally bought it for myself. It then became the inspiration for the creature's coat when I rendered it for Sean. The coat was very large but was tailored as closely as possible to fit the actor's dimensions with the assistance of Allison. Another 3 feet of fabric was added to the length of the coat, and then came the signature pockets. 27 all together, hand applied and freyed.  Extra straps and leatherwork was applied to the coat, and then the entire piece was treated and weatherd to simulate the wear and tear of my own 20 year old Outback Duster. Once on set, genuine Arizona dirt will be applied before filming to give it a natural worn look.

The blades were fashioned together out of  actual stainless steel blades, some child size baseball shin guards, metal hardware, and pvc pipes. The blades are rather well balanced and allow full movement and access to reach into the pockets. They were finished with a faux alligator hide on the guards which matches the strap embelishments on the coat.

The mask was finished with a mouth cage,  and a breathing hose then was worn down a bit. The hose will disapear into the actors dreadlocks. The stilts were purchased through an outside vendor then stained and weathered. They increase the actors height by 3 feet. Fiming begins in Arizona next week, and I can only imagine how it will all look when it's up and walking around. I will of course, post pictures when I have them.

Back to the Lab with me.

Be Grymm...

~The Doctor

IT'S ALIVE!! THE STEAMPUNK EXHIBIT - Oxford England!

As promised, this month’s posts wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention one of the single largest exhibits; I’ve ever had the honor of being a part of. I’m speaking of course about the Steampunk Exhibit at the University of Oxford, History of Science Museum, curated by Art Donovan and hosted by Doctor Jim Bennett. When I got the Top Secret e-mail from Art telling me what was brewing and that he wanted me to be a part of it, I never guessed it would grow to be such a huge event. I’m still actually processing it and I’m sure it will hit me like a ton of bricks once the show is actually open.


A little back history, I first met Art Donovan in 2008 at a Steampunk show he curated in the Hamptons, NY. His work entailed some beautifully crafted lamps with a precise attention to detail and finishing. Some of which would have been right at home on-board the Nautilus. The Exhibit was quite the turnout, and had pieces from some other very well established artisans. Among those was Eric Frietas whom I have had the pleasure of friending on Flickr’ earlier that year, and was instantly in love with his work. Meeting him in person was even more of an honor, as I never expected so much talent tucked away in such a humble and quiet man. A self taught clockmaker of the most intriguing and mystifying clocks I have ever seen. Words cannot express the dedication and ingenuity that go into his clocks, so I do recommend checking out his blog to see his amazing work.


So Art and I crossed paths briefly throughout the day and above all he was a gentleman amongst the activities of the day. It seemed that this amazing show was put together in only a few months, and by the time I had heard of it, it was too late to contact him to ask to join the event. Regardless, I made the trip and enjoyed myself thoroughly with my wife and friends. Through the many rare sightings of Art that day, I did manage to give him my card in hopes that we could speak again before his next show. And as you figured out by now, we did.


Art and I had spoken a few times through playing blog tag, and I refrained from asking the questions “So when’s your next show?” and “Can I participate?”. Turns out I didn’t need to. It would seem that he caught a glimpse of Doctor Grymm’s Victorian “EYE-Pod” from the numerous sites it popped up on across the Internet, and wanted it to be in his next show. A show that was clouded in secrecy. So secret in fact, that Eric Freitas and I were both in it but didn't know it.


Well, fast forward to today, October 12, 2009. As the BBC Reports, the RSVP event happens this evening! My invitation came in the mail a few weeks back (seen above), and even though I am not able to go, I was ecstatic to get it! A program of the opening event can be viewed HERE, and there is even a Student Art Competition to coincide with the even and the brochure features my Sewing Goggles. So speaking of goggles...


The last two pieces for this show have been revealed! two pairs of goggles inspired by Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. As there will be many goggles on display at the Museum, I wanted to be able to showcase my sculpting skills and make mine stand out a bit from the rest. Art did ask for the most unusual goggles I could create, so these were crafted especially for this show. They are completely sculpted from Apoxie and are very sturdy. The "Nautilus Goggles" are, of course, a nod to the infamous submarine of Captain Nemo complete with the spiked nose bridge of the mighty ship. It's finish is a time weathered copper and patina accentuated with hundreds of grime coated rivets. Unfortunately the luminescent green "portal" lenses did not arrive in time before shipping, but will be added to the final goggles if they are sold. The addition of the "Squid Attack" Goggles was one I have had in mind for a while, but wasn't sure how I wanted to pull it off. I am actually quite happy with how they look and I think they are the most wild pair of goggles I have made. reaching tentacles and sharpened teeth hold the lenses permanently in place. The green and copper accents are painted with an inky wash that bring out the scarred and wrinkled skin texture. I hope that this pair brings a few unsettling looks from guests at the Museum.



These goggles Along with my Vampyr "Blood Lust" Goggles, and "The Whole 9 Yards" Goggles and the "Eye-Pod" completed the group of pieces, which I am happy to report, made it safely to England. Art reports that set up is complete and my work looks "absolutely magnificent" with the other artists work in the show. I can now breath a sigh of relief as I must admit, that with Mr. Donovan's high standards of work, it's great that he likes my work now that he has seen it in person. Not that I doubt my work, but it's always nice to have kind words said from other artists that you admire.


That said, I wish Art and all fellow artists the best of luck with this amazing venture and perhaps some day soon, I can walk into the echoed halls of that museum and see the exhibit for myself. If so, I will hold my head up with pride knowing that I was a small part of Steampunk History. And who knows where all this might lead.

For now, it's back to the lab with me. I will leave you with some interesting links of reports and images from the exhibit! Check back soon, there will be more to come!

- Official Exhibit Blog by Art Donovan
- Oxford Museum Steampunk Exhibit Page
- Purchase the Official Museum Journal Exclusive Interactive CD
- A Flickr Gallery for the Exhibit
- MAKE: UK Article
- BBC Podcast and Article from opening day
- Broad Sheet - Oxford Museum publication featuring Lovelace and Babbage
- Podcast interview with Jim Bennett
- TOR.com article


Be Grymm~
~The Doctor

Doctor Grymm makes a house call... To the Addams Family

Yes, the day finally Arrived. October 2nd, the opening of the Addams Family Gathering Show at the MAC 650 Gallery. And although the rush to get all of the pieces done coincided with getting the pieces done and shipped for the Steampunk UK Show, I have to say exhaustion aside, I really had fun working on this show.


The turn out was big. Really big. Even the press was there. And more people than not decided to take our "funeral attire suggested" motto, seriously. It was a really good energy in the room. 9 professional artists, all sharing there unique visions of a unique television family from our childhoods. The mix of mediums was as different as the artists themselves. Illustration, sculpture, abstract paintings, musical instruments, shadow boxes, man eating plants, and more... And the crowd loved it! The night was a trip down memory lane for many, all sharing there favorite moments and characters. It helped matters that a 10 foot projection of many scenes from the original series was projected on a scrim on the window so both the gallery viewers and passer-bys outside could get a glimpse of the inspiration behind it all.


So personally, this show was really different for me. It's the first time in over a decade that I not only was really drawing in my own style (which I thought I lost due to all the medical drama), but I also revealed the progression of my work, from sketch to unfinished sculpture, to completion, out to the Internet world. My work always tends to be rather camera shy when it comes to the process, but I threw all that aside for this show. I put together a slide show of the work I did on Flickr, to help motivate myself and actually study my own evolution of design and progress. Weird I know, but sometimes as an artist, we just don't stop and take a look long enough to see if we are growing as an artist. So I threw out my old box of tricks and tried some new styles and really loosened up. Besides being based on characters from the show, I did them in my own style and really embraced the character by trying to give you a story just by the look on their face.



I know, I'm getting deeper than usual right now. But I had a good time, so I'm sharing it with you. And the fact that you're still reading means you might be interested.


So trying new things, testing your art and your limits. That's what this show was all about for me, especially after a year of dealing exclusively in the Steampunk Style. I've learned allot about my art recently. Not since CalArts have I been surrounded by so many artists that are also friends, that I can talk shop with. See, I believe that as an artist, you are not evolving, unless you are teaching and sharing techniques with other artists who are willing to learn, and vice-versa in learning from others. Usually artists with that same thought process tend to find each other. Unfortunately, every once in a while you come across some one who says they want to learn, but really just want the instant gratification that doesn't really come without practice and failure. Then it becomes less about teaching and more about wasting time. It's hard as a teacher to work with someone like that and as an artist it really takes the wind out of your sails and leaves you emotionally lost. And by "you" I mean me. regardless, you can't let it hinder your work. you just keep evolving with the people you really jive with and create as much as you can!


Wow, I got off track there. Sorry. It's just that I really have been pushing my limits lately, but in a good way. I've learned allot about myself as an artist over the past year, and it makes me content, and honestly, a big weight is off my shoulders because of it.


So meanwhile back at the Addams Show, I was "experimenting" allot with my work. I think this is the most fun I have had working in a long time. When Joe Dinunzio asked me to be a part of this show, I was stoked. He and Joe Galluccio have a themed gallery show every year for the past 7 years, I believe, and it's always a big event. So I was honored to be asked to be a part of it, and super excited when I learned about the theme. The Addams Family was an absolute favorite of mine as a child (I know, shocking, right), and I have always wanted to try my hand at giving them my own flare. and so began my brainstorming, sitting in my local coffee shop with a book about the inspiration of Charles Addams.


I was also asked to create the artwork for the marketing materials, and the decision was to do them in the illustrated style of Charles Addams himself. One of my specialties is learning other artists styles and what makes them tick, so the ideas came quickly. The images were very well received, and then came time to work out what I wanted to do for the show. No limits, which was refreshing. I focused on 3 main characters that were my favorites. Lurch, Uncle Fester, and Ophelia. Yes Ophelia. Don't know who she is? She is the sister of Morticia. Always showing up on the Addam's doorstep when she has "lost" yet another husband. On the show she was also played by Carolyn Jones which gave the interactions a fun spin, and also proved that Mrs Jones was lovely as a blond and as a brunette! Oh and did I mention that Ophelia had flowers GROWING out of her head? Brilliant!


So as the sculpting began, not only did I take progress pictures and posted them, I kept track of the time I was spending on them which made me realize I was a much faster sculptor than I gave myself credit for. Now don't get me wrong, these sculptures weren't at a finished state, there was no sanding or polishing of any of the three at all. How it came out of the cooker was how it was painted. And I did this on purpose. All three were a sculpture sketch, which was a technique I learned from one of my mentors, Jeff Elsbecker, many moons ago. Think of it as a rough sketch, but in clay. Really loose and expressive, except that I took it that extra step and painted them. And speaking of painting, I was so excited to throw away color for some of these images and sculptures and paint them the way I see the world. Yeah, in black and white, baby! Yes, for those of you who didn't know, I am completely colorblind, but the explanation of how I can use color is for another post. Regardless, even the painting was done in a very loose, almost watercolor feel to resemble the old cake make-up they used on the actors for the show. Fester turned out to be a favorite of show-goers, probably due to the ghostly blue light bulb I placed precariously upon the tip of his tongue.



Several of the renders that made it into the show were snapshots of a much larger painting I was going to create. A family snapshot of "The Addams Family Vacation", a group image of the family at the beach. However time restrictions and technical difficulty got in the way of completing it, so I took 2 of the major components for that rendering, and framed them separately. The result worked out nicely, but I would still like to complete it at some point. The final piece that arrived the day of the show and emerged out of a haze of dust, gears, and coffee in the wee hours of the morning the night before, was "Clockwork Thing". My only Steampunk piece in the show was an assemblage of parts. In fact, what I realized after it was built, that every part of this piece was given to me by someone. From the clock frame, down to the gears and even the light inside. Which technically makes it a "hand-me-down" (Ahh, I do love a good pun). The innards of the clock have moving gears and little objects that Thing has lifted off of people, as I always imagined him as a pick pocket. The only object that didn't make it inside the clock was the head of Wednesday's Doll, but whomever the lucky buyer might be will get that as an added surprise.



In conclusion, the best thing about this experience was sharing it with James, and Allison. James sat by my side for several hours and we chatted over sculpting as he asked questions about how and why I was doing what I was doing. He also got very into the show and determined his favorite character was Lurch. So much so that he dressed like him for the show opening. Allison was constantly cheering me on and reminding me that I could finish all of this before my deadline. She also was the one who made me realize just how much I changed through these projects. And all while carrying our soon to be son. They were both so supportive in this whole process and I can't thank them enough for it.





And of course a very special THANK YOU to the amazing group of artist that made this show possible. Their professionalism and inginuety was what fueled such a wonderful show!



Well, that's all the ramblings for me tonight. Thanks for checking in, check out the slideshow, and my next post will focus on the Steampunk Exhibit in the UK!



Be Grymm...

~The Doctor