Tall Tales at Monsterpalooza 2018

I mentioned I'd have a table at Monsterpalooza (the place to "celebrate the art of monsters and movie magic ...with over 250 vendors, a monster museum, special guests, makeup demos, presentations and more..." ) in previous post here... 

Boy, was it fun! Easily one of the most fun weekends I have spent in my 7 years living in the United States.

I didn't take enough photos as I was mostly glued to my table, but I've included some below. I'll pop a video with footage from the event on the Tall Tales YouTube Channel soon.

Anyway, what a blast!
Elvira was there as her stunning natural redhead self (did I mention to you before that if you're a fan you should get the definitive book of hers here?)... also present was the gorgeous heartthrob David Naughton ('An American Werewolf in London'), Rick Baker, countless amazing artists and people attending in some seriously cool costumes. Scroll to the end of my photos for some shout outs!

Now, most importantly, get the first look below at my first resin collectible - Hortense, the French witch.

She will be available for pre-sales verrrrry soon (I'll announce the date via the newsletter here) with a PROMO DISCOUNT CODE for the very first early birds....!

Artisan hand-sculpted (by me, of course), cast by the very talented Michael Allen and then hand-painted. She'll come on a special artist base (which I am still having made). This is a Limited edition collectible for the Good Witches Bad Witches™ series.  Naturally she comes complete with her fabulous mink shawl, her French poodle and shopping cart and her monster handbag.

Don't forget to sign up for the Tall Tales newsletter so you don't miss the discount at the launch.

Enjoy the photos of Monsterpalooza below! Click on an image to enlarge.

Photos from the show and of some colorful visitors to my table...

And now, shout outs...

If you read this blog you're likely a fellow artist / sculptor? Then you need tools from Jane's Tools. THE best supplier I've known in all my years in the business. Here's a snapshot of some of the wonderful tools I just bought from this fantastic Texas based company. Please find their website here and go crazy - their prices are super reasonable.

An artist I was super excited to meet there (his table was directly behind mine and he was a very cool guy)... check out Dug Stanat...

Couldn't get a photo of his work myself, so this is pulled off his website, but you have to discover the weird and wonderful world of Turkey Merck! How cool are his mugs?! You must have at least 1 friend who has needed one all their life. Plus - totally cool guy. 

Gosh, I know there were other artists and vendors I wanted to share with you but since I just moved house their business cards could be anywhere! So will update that as soon as I can.

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How Monstrous!

How monstrous indeed? I'm not quoting Shakespeare*, I'm referring to the upcoming celebration of all things horror and beastly... Monsterpalooza.

Self described as the place to "celebrate the art of monsters and movie magic ...with over 250 vendors, a monster museum, special guests, makeup demos, presentations and more..." Monsterpalooza is a place I've been meaning to visit since I moved to LA. This year I'm excited to be there as a vendor! It's at the Pasadena Convention Center here in California on the weekend of 13-15th April. If you make it over there then you must stop by my table and say hi! Godzilla Aisle, Table 111.

Director Guillermo del Toro (who just won an Oscar as Best Director for The Shape of Water) referred to Monsterpalooza as "the monster convention I dreamt could be possible as a kid".
Others have described it as the "best horror convention of all".

Fun, right?! Plus Rick Baker and Elvira will be there, so what's not to love?

I'll be premiering my Hortense figurines at Monsterpalooza, and you can also see many of my witches and some spooky miniature set pieces on display there.

See you there!

*Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain
To kill their gracious father? Damnèd fact!

- Macbeth, Shakespeare

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

Hooked!

Last post was about this new character maquette - Captain J. Hook, sculpted in 1:12 scale miniature by hand using polymer clay.

There's a new video for you up on the Tall Tales Productions YouTube Channel here, so you can learn (in just 60 seconds) how this character was created from initial sketches to the final piece. It's not an in-depth tutorial, but it gives a fun insight to the process which I hope you will enjoy. If you like any of the content at the YouTube Channel, then be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss updates. There will be many tutorials coming soon (they've been shot already and are getting edited as we speak).

WATCH HOW IT'S DONE!

Maquette sculpting and Painting video...

And here is a video from the exhibition opening night at Center Stage Gallery, Burbank.

Photos of the exhibition...

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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.