Dusted off my old Twitter account

If you fallow Twitter at all my handle is @CopperStatue . I'm planning to actually use it this year, post photos and other highlights from my whateverthisis life as a living statue.

New tools of the trade

When I am not performing outside I work retail in a really really big mall here in the city of Edmonton called the West Edmonton Mall. I have worked there for a number of years and with a bit of patience i acquired a number of discarded widow displays and other items that I reused for the store where i work and for myself including this:

This might not look like much but it's been a real asset when painting costumes. Before i would often try and hang it from the roof somehow, usually with a coat hanger or bungee cord but with this i can easily adjust the height, its weighted at the bottom, and very portable. Not only did I find this i also found the upper half of a mannequin, meaning no more cardboard bodies to build under the sleeves and torso. Here is a costume I used for a Kids in the Hall concert here in the city:

The character I was replicating was literally called the Axe Murderer from a skit found here.
It took a while to get the right red blood look, but I am happy with the results. As you can see I'm using the mannequin to paint the suit and it felt so good to use that body shape while painting, I can see the features and where they laid on the suit. I didn't have to second guess myself and it makes me wish i found these plastic body parts soon. It would saved me a few headaches.

Now, if you have been fallowing my blog, I said I will be working on a puppet for my next costume, and I am, but I have been delayed again. I take responsibility for that, but I do fully intend to have a working piece just in time for this years Whyte Ave. Arts Walk taking place in July. I don't quite remember if I posted the prototype, it was..OK? I am not entirely happy with it and it needs time for a revision. In the mean time i will be working on the costume itself and will be looking for supplies in the coming weeks.

A Short video from Fort Edmonton Park

 

This video was produced by Fort Edmonton Park as a promotional piece for an upcoming show called She'll Be Coming Around the Mountie playing at the Capitol Theatre back September. I honestly completely forgot about this video until very recently, my bit starts around the 1:09 mark.

I hope you enjoy it, and I'll be sending an update very soon in regards to my costume. Making puppets are hard! Yes, I am making a puppet for my newest costume, and that's all I can say now until I can get a proper prototype together; that doesn't completely fall apart when I use it. I'll be picking up new clothes this week to paint and I got new tools to use that SHOULD make it easier to create with. We'll find out soon!

A Short Summary of Photos from a Photoshoot

a few weeks ago, I FINALLY got quality shots down from a professional photographer and let me tell you: what a difference it makes. I've had lots of pictures taken of me over the last few years as a statue (it's how i make a living) but when you invest the time and money for someone to comedown and take pictures for you, it's night and day. There so good, and having the confidence to use them around in my promotional material is amazing; it feels good to know I'm giving them something that best represents me.

Here are a few pictures taken from that shoot, all credit goes to Jenn Crebas Photography and website can be found here: https://jenncrebasphotography.wordpress.com/

One thing i can say about being a cowboy as a statue: I can get away with a stubbly face.

I do a lot of yoga, and the photographer does a lot photos for yoga instructors...it was inevitable

Love this one!

The shot that pays for the whole shoot.