2015-2016. Season 4
Oldest first.
Summer/fall 2015:
Plans are underway.
I've discovered plasticine at Michaels. You can buy a small quantity for about $4.00.
It's great to practice and learn about head shapes while watching TV!
V3 of the form is now complete. The approach to paint the project was inspired by the Matisse painting called 'Icarus'. You will note that the blue is correct and the yellow explosions are in character, but Icarus is missing. Icarus is the snow sculpture creation on the inside--and will melt once it stands too close to the sun. Clearly I have been thinking about this a lot.....snow please!
Meet Ed and Ted!
And so the year begins, with Ed making his first appearance the evening of Tuesday, January 12, 2016. The snow was fluffy and the base was unstable leading to a slightly off kilter build.
I had taught for the day, held a JaZZ Band practice after school and then ran home to fill the snow silo. I then rushed off to a volunteer commitment while the snow bonded. Once home, I was able to carve it up and set up an LED light. I'm very happy with the light as it adds a whole new dimension.
On Wednesday night I decided to push the envelope and create a second sculpture. I had to bring every ounce of remaining snow from our entire property (front and back yard) to get enough!
Then I began carving. That first approach to the beautifully packed snow was ominous. But away I went.
In the end Ted emerged! Hopefully he will last through the +3C tonight! Hang in there Ted and Ed!
I had taught for the day, held a JaZZ Band practice after school and then ran home to fill the snow silo. I then rushed off to a volunteer commitment while the snow bonded. Once home, I was able to carve it up and set up an LED light. I'm very happy with the light as it adds a whole new dimension.
On Wednesday night I decided to push the envelope and create a second sculpture. I had to bring every ounce of remaining snow from our entire property (front and back yard) to get enough!
Then I began carving. That first approach to the beautifully packed snow was ominous. But away I went.
In the end Ted emerged! Hopefully he will last through the +3C tonight! Hang in there Ted and Ed!
After another good snow, a third sculpture was possible and named Eric. Then on Wed, Jan 20 the form was filled in the backyard for Jimmy, who was finished on Thursday.
March 1, 2016 was the biggest snowstorm of the year! I went outside at 9:30pm and prior to 11pm had two towers of snow ready to go. I left the second tower in the form over night. On Wednesday I rushed home and started carving at 3:30 PM. By 6 PM I had the new towers of snow carved.
Winterloo!
March 27th (Sat) was a big day. Lorna and I drove over to Waterloo Park at 9 AM. The city of Waterloo had hired me to build a snow sculpture for Winterloo. The city had not delivered snow but encouraged us to use whatever we could find! We saw a lot of grass. Lorna and I worked hard for an hour and were able to fill the entire 7 foot form. The day was a success as kids watched me carve. It was great to have many of the family drop in to visit too! The next day the snowsculpture had completely melted!
On Sunday, April 3, around 8pm, my brother-in-law Michel said "let's take a look outside" which we did. We decided there was enough snow to go for it. So we did. I had stored the form in the barn for the summer, but I pulled it out and we loaded it. We only had to drag a little snow from the backyard. We were done by 9pm and went inside to allow the snow to bind. We went out again at 10pm and popped off the form. I started carving and was done by 11:30pm. I called him Michel in honour of my helper. He lasted until Thursday.
Comics for the year
Update, November, 2017.
Please see SPECIAL FEATURES for statement about Cultural Appropriation.
Please see SPECIAL FEATURES for statement about Cultural Appropriation.