CTN Animation Expo!

As mentioned in my last post here, I have a presence at the CTN (Creative Talent Network) Animation Expo this weekend, and it begins with a soft opening tonight!

It's at the Burbank Convention Center and you find details here. You have options to get a one day pass or all three days (Fri, Sat, Sun). There are panels, presentations from some amazing animation artists, portfolio reviews, book signings... (read the Top 8 Things to do at CTN Expo here!)

My table is located at T217 which is pretty much at the entrance, right. I'm opposite Sony.

If you manage to attend CTN Animation Expo this year then please do come and say hello, and see some of my witches in the flesh (or in the clay). Also, I am unveiling a new piece for the first time at this show! Find out what it is in person, or wait until next week when I tell you about it here on this blog. Okay, here is a tiny clue as to what this piece might be.... (Clue).

Looking forward to seeing some of you soon!

Caroline
x

Second Star on the Right

Second star on the right and straight on 'til morning.....
.... yep, we're off to Never Neverland today to see my Captain James Hook.

If you follow Tall Tales Productions on Instagram (here) or Facebook (here) or even Twitter (here) then you've probably caught some behind the scenes of this character coming to life. If you live in Los Angeles and can get over to Burbank tomorrow night (Friday 5th May) then you can see him in person! He is about to become part of a group show at Center Stage Gallery, Burbank where the theme is Neverland. So he's a great fit!

About how he was made...

Like most of my work, he was made using polymer clay over wire. I sketched him first and tried all sorts of different ideas based on J.M. Barrie's description of him in the book. I wanted to give him a huge flouncy beard but since none was mentioned, I resisted. He is described as imitating King Charles II in his personal dress and wig, so I went that direction whilst trying very hard not to let him look like Disney's famous interpretation of Hook.

Captain Hook holds a lantern with Tinkerbell trapped inside it.The lantern is wired to flicker with a battery powered bulb.

He's 1:12 scale (standing at about 6.5 inches without his hat) which would make him 6'5" in real life. A tall and imposing bloke.

Enjoy the photos below and if you want to see more then do make sure you follow along on social media places so that you don't miss out. There will be a short video about him soon and I have a new witch character from Good Witches Bad Witches ™ for you soon as well.

“You know that place between sleep and awake, that place where you still remember dreaming? That’s where I’ll always love you. That’s where I’ll be waiting.” ~ J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

MacKinnon & Saunders, miniature models, maquette, maquette for film, concept maquette for film, commercial, stop-motion, claymation, Tall Tales, Tall Tales Productions, The Pirates!, Aardman, Peter Lord, Laika, Travis Knight, Tim Burton, animation, miniature, scale miniature, caroline mcfarlane-watts, clay mation, stop-motion animation, captain hook, neverland, peter pan, hook, captain james hook, tinker bell, fairies, never grow up

Life, in a Teacup

In a nutshell / teacup... in other words, condensing my past month into a quick update!

My website has had a face-lift and is hopefully a little easier to navigate around. And if you wait another couple of days there will be an online shop attached! Many of you probably know that I've sold miniatures and art prints on 3 Etsy shops for the past 5 years, and that wont change, but you can now buy directly from me as well. This means prices will often be lower, so worth a look if you're someone who shops for individual miniature pieces / figurines and prints.

Tall Tales Productions website here!

Behind the Scenes...

You've been asking for more photos and videos of what goes on behind the scenes, so I'm endeavouring to oblige. If you follow me / Tall Tales on Instagram then you probably caught this!

I've also made another quick little video up on the new YouTube Channel here which shows me making the Trick or Treat scene. More video tutorials / time-lapses will show up soon.

Also...

Another watercolour painting or two (which I've yet to scan and share)...

Another article which you can see more of on the Press Page of my site!

In other news, I am really honoured to be included on the Creative Talent Network's site here. It's run by Tina Price and if you're at all familiar with CTN you might even know that they're having an event this weekend. Details here. If you're in LA then come along and say hi to me there.:)

Aside from work, I'd love to share with you a new place I discovered in LA. The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. Went there on Easter Sunday and it was out of this world. Put it on your 'to do' list, but mind you pick the right time of year to see it. Bye for now and have a fantastic weekend!

How Curious

Has it really been over a month since I updated this blog?! Well if you've ever truly exhausted every pointless avenue on the internet and just have to know what I'm doing, you can find more frequent updates on Instagram and at the Facebook page. ;)

I've been busy on commission after commission (this time of year is always my busiest), so... no new witch character for Good Witches Bad Witches yet. Sorry! As you see, the others wait impatiently. I'll make her when I return form Blighty in mid Jan.








In Tall Tales Productions news, I had a book signing at the weekend from the collaborative Alice in Wonderland art show 'Curiouser & Curiouser'. You may recall the miniature Mad Hatter scene here.

You can pick up a copy of this gorgeous book from the Center Stage Gallery gift shop in Burbank, California. Or find one at their online shop here.

Also, my piece was written about last week in Print Magazine - article here. You can find most of my magazine / book appearances here at the press page on my website.

Book Signing for 'Curiouser & Curiouser'

Including talented artists Casey Robin, Alishea Gibson, Nic Gregory, David DePasquale and many more.

Remember What the Dormouse Said

First, I have to assume everyone is familiar with the psychedelic rock song 'White Rabbit' by Jefferson Airplane. If you're not then I'm glad to be the one to introduce you to it. I've loved this since I was little(r). Listen to it on YouTube here.

Yesterday was opening night for the Alice in Wonderland exhibition - 'Curiouser & Curiouser' hosted by the Creative Talent Network and held at Center Stage Gallery, Burbank. It honoured Lewis Carroll and the 150th anniversary of him writing 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.'

Here are some photos of the event last night. It was a fantastic exhibition with some exceptionally talented artists taking part, including the lovely and talented Casey Robin (her site is here). They served tea sandwiches and 'eat me' cookies alongside drinks. How fabulous is that?! There will be a book signing before the exhibition closes and I'll share photos of that here on this blog.

See the design process of my miniature model piece (the Mad Hatter's Tea Party) in previous blog post here, and the 'making of' photos here.