WIP Pictures!

Hat on...

Hat off

Which looks better? I'm completly torn. I wonder if there's a way I could rig the hat to be detatchable so he could hold it some days and wear it other days. Any thoughts?

The 10 Best Stop Motion Animation Films/Shorts

I recently watched the Stop motion film, "Fantastic Mr. Fox," and I couldn't resist paying homage to what I would consider the best form of animation. The characters seem much more life-like. Cameras take pictures of real characters that can be touched by human hands. That's something you don't get with Pixar or the other film makers swimming in an ocean of CGI. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Pixar movie, but for me, nothing can measure up to these treasures below.

I give you my 10 favorite Stop-motion animated movies and shorts. Keep in mind, this is only my opinion!

10. Vincent- Written and directed by Tim Burton, this is the shortest film on the list, at a whopping six minutes. It has the typical dark Burton feel, which I consider a good thing.

9. Corpse Bride- Another Tim Burton winner.

8. James and the Giant Peach- Roald Dahl is one of my favorite authors, and Henry Sellick is one of my favorite directors, so there's not much more to say here.

7. Wallace and Grommit Shorts- I'm kind of cheating here by lumping in four shorts into one rank, but I just didn't have enough room on the list. The Wallace and Grommit shorts are what first turned me on to stop motion

6. Fantastic Mr. Fox- As I said, I just saw this one for the first time, but it didn't take much time to climb to number six on my list. It's hilarious, atmospheric, and clever; like a Fox!

5. Wallace and Grommit: Curse of the Were Rabbit- The dynamic duo look even better on the big screen.

4. Chicken Run- This is like a stop motion, chicken version of the Shawshank Redemption, one of my favorite live action films. Plus it was created by Aardman, the makers of Wallace and Grommit, so you know it's a winner.

3. Madame Tutli Putli- I just found this short film on youtube. I've never seen such life-like puppets in stop motion, which somehow adds to it's creepy feel. Check it out if you haven't seen it


2. Nightmare Before Christmas- Needs no explanation. stop motion creativity at it's best, thanks to Tim Burton and Henry Selick.

1. Coraline- Written by Niel Gaimon and directed by Henry Sellick, this is my favorite stop-motion movie. I read an article about this movie about a year before it's release, and counted down the days from then on. Meanwhile, Steph and I read the book, and loved it. The movie version did not disappoint. It blended a bit of CGI with the old "claymation" art, making for a truly unique experience.

Spookytime Jingles April

It's STJ time again! Head over to spookytimejingles to see my new Frank piece, and a few acrylic art cards.

Moon Man Progress Report

Today, I realized it's been a while since my last moon man update. Most of the major structural work is now completed. This is where the fun begins! For the last couple of weeks, I've been applying clay over the paper mache exterior.

Thinking of the cost, I had not originally planned to have a clay exterior. However, I've decided after investing this much time into a single sculpture, it would be worth the few extra bucks to finish it properly.

WIP Pics, Finally!

It's only been a couple of months since I've sculpted with polymer, but it feels like it's been ages!

You wouldn't believe how many times the design of this piece changed before I made a decision.. I started with a ball that was going to be a pumpkin head, but it soon became the body to this Frank monster. Actually, the original plan was to be a totum pole of sorts with a series of Halloween icons. Not sure how it changed to this, but I'm happy with it!

Abandoned Dinosaur Park

It's been a while since I've posted anything about my artwork, but my brain has been in a creative overdrive lately. Lots of new artwork coming soon, I promise!

Meanwhile, I want to share with you another stop on our Arkansas journey. Maybe some of you remember this place.

While driving through the northwest hills of Arkansas, Steph and I noticed a sign, still advertising a dinosaur park, abandoned several years ago. It's interesting how many of the now abandoned roadside attractions are still advertised by "ghost signs." It's like they continued to hold out hope that someday they would reopen.

When I was no more than five or six years old, my parents took my brother and I to this park. In fact I think my dad posed for a photo with the above dino.

My parents also have a photo of my brother and I by the green T-Rex below.

Check out the Elizabethtown dvd cover on the right.

In the bottom right corner of the box, you can see Orlando Bloom standing near the T-Rex

If I ever find the old photos, I'll post them for those interested.





I wish I could have entered the park and taken more pictures of these comical beasts, but i didn't want to get griped out for trespassing.



I would hate to tarnish my fond memories of Dinosaur world.

I do have a few more photos on Flickr. Click here to see them!

And one last photo. This is the second largest statue of Jesus in the world, next to the one in Rio De Janeiro. It was sculpted by one of the same guys who created many of the aforementioned dinosaurs. I think his name was Emmit Sullivan. His sculptures are dotted all across the Arkansas landscape.

Ghost Hunting at the Crescent Hotel

When It comes to ghosts, one could call me an open minded skeptic. Maybe they exist, maybe not. I'd like to think they do but have not been convinced one way or another.

Anyway, you can bet I'll be snapping random shots with my fingers crossed every time I visit a supposedly haunted place like the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. If any place in the country has a right to be haunted, it's this one.

You may have heard of "Orbs." Most will dismiss them as specks of dust, but I like to weigh the evidence. On my very first shot in the hotel I saw this "orb:"

Just above the black ledge you'll notice a little white spot. Could be just dust, BUT I've never gotten this in places that are not thought to be haunted. Also, out of curiosity, I took a few shots from outside of the hotel and got this:

This was the only outdoor shot with an orb. I can understand the indoor orbs being dismissed as dust, but not this one. Also, it was a clear night, so it couldn't have been mist.

Oh, I almost forgot. I did see one undeniable ghost. Are you ready for it? ............................................

Oh, sorry. That's just the cat's water dish. The hotel has two cat residents who are allowed inside and out of the hotel lobby. Here's their exit:

And here is one of the cats...

.......sitting where these upstanding folks once posed for a photo:

And here's Steph and I standing in front of the Crystal dining room, where we had a delicious breakfast.