It's almost that time again, decorating, candy, costumes. I remembered last year, the gargoyle we made, two years ago now, didn't survive a year in the basement very well. The flour and water paste we used on the newspaper for its papier mache body had disintegrated a little bit. Also the fall from the roof when we took him down put some heavy-duty cracks in his leg and wing. I knew to check it earlier this year and anticipated some repairs. Man! The holes in that monster were bigger and more wide spread. It looked like a flock of moths had gotten to it. They hadn't, our basement is dark, cool and dry. Still, I had my work cut out for me.
This time I chose to use a watered down drywall paste to make the papier mache with and repair the gargoyle. I worked on patching his wing and repairing his leg. This so far is looking pretty cool. It's giving the gargoyle a harder shell and making him more stable. It's also making him heavier. I left him in the garage overnight to dry. I'll find out today if the weight of the drywall paste on his wings was too much weight or not. Next I have to patch some spots on his belly and underside of his neck, then when he's dry I can spray paint on that gray flecked paint that makes him look like stone. I'll post another picture when he's done.
10 comments:
The two of you have such imaginations.. Where did you come up with this again? I remember him just dont remember why you made him..
Friends/neighbors of ours were art professors and we were talking about wanting to make something like this and the wife said, "I can do that!" So we paid for materials and after she sculpted the gargoyle out of chicken wire, we all helped cover him in papier mache. They've moved away now, otherwise I'm sure we'd have some more cool creations. I'm currently working on trying to find or build a giant spider and web for the side of the house. Oh, and we have a light running inside the gargoyle so his eyes glow red. :-)
Ok I remember now..He is still pretty cool. Is he really heavy now with the patch work you put on him??
He's a little heavier, but still no more than 5-10 pounds if that. Still very light because of all the papier mache.
Cool. He is very interesting to look at. Hope you can keep him for awhile. We are going to a party Saturday for the girls. We arent dressing up just going. Havea great new post up on my site.
I love how you can make these things and then re-make them--whren needed! I look forward to seeing your whole display, including that big spider....AS to should you have something caught in the Spiders jaws---Well, that scares the hell out of me and I'm a Grown-Up...lol! It might be too scary for little kids.
M is thinking of softening it up. We're trying to find a Minnesota Vikings helmet to put on the victim. We already have a Green Bay Packer's cheesehead to put on the spider. Also, since this is up high on the outside of the house, most children probably won't notice it...we hope.
I'm happy that you were able to salvage the gargoyle...he's one of a kind!
Don't forget to post a picture of the spider when you finish it. ;)
That's *so* cool! Can't wait to see the finished article.
LOOK forward to seeing this project complete!!!!
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