Sunday, February 22, 2009

Humpty Dumpty


Over the years, I've created several "Humpty Dumptys." I guess you could say he's my favorite nursery rhyme character. There's something about his tragic, yet comedic little story, combined with his simple, yet charming little shape that never ceases to inspire!

Above is a piece showing Humpty directly before his fall, and below is one showing the after math.

All of my previous Humpty sculptures have had two things in common: none of them are more than 7 or 8 inches tall, and they are all sculpted from polymer clay. For these reasons, and my love of the character, I decided last year to create a HUGE one in paper mache, rather than polymer. Well maybe not HUGE, but pretty big (my largest sculpture to date). I began work on him in February of 2008, and here we are a year later, far from completion.


When I was taking the above pic, Thomas got curious. He didn't know he was helping to show Humpty's size!

As you can see, the piece has a long way to go. If you're wondering what's taking so long, I was rarely able to work on him last year. I think I'm going to take it easy in March for the wedding, leaving all of my artistic time to Humpty. Time will tell. He may never be finished!

Oh and I want your opinion. Should I give him a Top Hat?

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Awesome Lance...Love the expressions. Great project to finish with wedding to begin.Good Luck.

Campbell Jane said...

He's AWESOME hat or no hat!

Chicken Lips said...

Wow! He is a grade A size, isn't he! He looks wonderful - I think he would make an awesome centerpiece for your wedding - what do you think?

The Studio at Crow Haven Farm, LLC said...

Lance, this is amazing and I want to thank you for sharing your progress with him. I'm so glad that I'm not the only out there that has projects on the back burner...however, this Humpty is freaking AMAZING! and you need to complete him so we can see him in his glory! What a fabulous job...such talent you have my friend! Your amazing! YES!!!! A TOP IS A MUST! hehehe
Have a beautiful and creative week!
Cheers

Ginny Diezel said...

Wowee! He is tremendous - in size and in artistic talent! Hat, no hat, wall, no wall, who cares? He is the best!

Anonymous said...

He looks great and is huge! A hat would be nice but only if time would permit, otherwise he's fine the way he is. :)

yoborobo said...

He is a big boy! I love him. My first thought was 'no hat' because I love his big noggin - but then I thought a hat would look really cool, too.

So 50/50 on the hat, but the piece is wonderful either way! :)

Monkey-Cats Studio said...

Lance you never disappoint me!! I love the idea of it as a centerpiece for the wedding too--greate idea David!! Here is the deal on the hat...make one that can be removed, that way you can show him both ways...tadaaaa!!
Laurie

Sweet B Folkart said...

OMG Lance - would you beleive that I have a 35" humpty dumpty that I made a few years ago??? - he sits up on a cabinet in my living room - would you like to see him - you are going to DIE!

- I have over 25 humpty dumpty ceramic planters (vintage) - my husband thinks Im crazy. (they would make great centerpieces too)
There's just something about an anthropomorphic egg isn't there!

Unknown said...

he is so cool and big! that must of been fun to make.

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

He's really cool Lance..and Yes!!!
He needs a Top Hat!
Candy

Sheryl Parsons said...

Love all your humpty dumptys!

Sheryl

Sheryl Parsons said...

Wow lance! That is absolutely amazing! As for hat no hat, I love hats for my creations, but have never considered one for a Humpty Dumpty. I bet that would look fabulous! And Lauries idea of a removable hat is perfect!

Sheryl

Janell Berryman Pumpkinseeds folk art said...

I like Laurie's idea of a removable hat. I think he's just AWESOME! I cant imagine doing something that big. Once I tried a whale. Needless to say it ended up in the trash. Darn paper clay shrunk so much that his body looked like the surface of a cracking salt bed! Well, your Humpty Dumpty will be a hit! Great work my friend.

Flor Larios Art said...

Yes, give him a funky hat...he looks super!

snippetgirl said...

I LOVE this and Thomas lurking around is TOOOO funny! Your work is amazing! I can't wait to see more....
Kindest wishes,
Carrie the SnipPet Girl