Paper Mache "Boar's Head", Redux...!

Boar's Head #1, at a VIP event

Been a wee bit quiet in here as of late I know.  Despite my lack of recent posts I'm glad to say I've still been creating stuff -- it's just that these last few months were busy with several lovely private commissions that had me up to my eyeballs in elbow grease (besides, as you know me, even though I may come and go out of here at times.., I always, always come back.  Eventually.).  

Now that most of these projects have been finished up and sent along their merry ways, it's time for some updating....

Who remembers this li'l cutie (well, pretty big actually) from a few years back....?

Vegetarian Pig Head Scultpure Commission, from 2012

(Mister Pigster #1 (above) made for local theatrical production  in '12

--See the original post here)

I was recently commissioned to make another of these guys -- a vegetarian paper-mache "Boar's Head/Pig Head", for a customer in the great state of Oklahoma.  
Fun times!

Some progress pics of Pig Head #2...:

Disembodied Boar's Head, in progress:  Sculpting the overall shape (as always, Duct Tape to the rescue)...:

Before attaching his ears, I rmust make sure he will still actually fit into the box I've targeted for re-use as his shipping vessel (He fits!).....

Sculpted piggy ears...!

Ears attached...!  Looking more oinky all the time.

Still, lacking in personality, it's time to work in some detail....

Detaila in place, and ready for painting.  I began with a nice deep, dark undercoat.

Lightening him up gradually (plus painting teeth!)...

Always the fun part, painting ...

Never complete until the requisite apple is in the mouth. 

And here we have "Piggly Wiggly" in his new owner's Oklahoma home.  Happy Customer/Happy Artist!

And, as with my first papier mache head, I'm happy to report once again that no harm was done in the making of THIS (2nd) Vegetarian Papier Mache Boar's Head.

Pig Head #2 at his recent Medieval/Madrigal VIP special event.

A Vegetarian "Boar's Head"....

"Roasted and Basted" Table Centerpiece (Made entirely of Papier Mache)

Paper Pig

No piggies harmed in the making of THIS boar's head.....!

Roasted and Basted, Succulent PAPER

Actually, it's probably technically-speaking more of a 'pig head' than a 'boar's head' ('boar's head' just sounding better), but however you want to slice it (ahem ;-)), I am happy to report no critters were harmed in its creation (unless you count trees)....


I confess it had been some time since I'd taken on a paper mache project. As much as I adore the medium and champion all it's glories, it's probably safe to say the toil on my 10' tall Statue of Liberty Project may well indeed have burned me out for a wee bit there. Not that I'd ceased loving the craft or anything -- it's just that after such an ambitious endeavor it appears I needed a break, and an extended one at that, while I concentrated instead on painting and other pursuits. And so it was that I was able to tackle this recent project with a refreshed mindset after my little hiatus. Created upon request as a stage prop for a December 2011 theatrical production, I was really pleased with how my 'Pig Head' turned out -- roasted and basted and succulent in appearance (I'm vegetarian mind...so yeah. Gross.), it made for a very festive, show-stopping centerpiece dish suitable for any grand banquet table. And I approached this project in such a way that I can easily (well, relatively speaking anyway) make more of them, should I receive any additional Pig Head requests (as I repeatedly have for 'Horse Heads' all these many years) down the line (Medieval Feasts, anyone???  Madrigals too, and all that)....