Post #242668 by seamus on Thu, Jul 13, 2006 8:58 AM

Thanks for the compliments friends. It always means alot - especially coming from such a talented bunch!
Missing Oasis this year was tough. We fully intended to go. I had already started on a bunch of new work to bring along, and had reserved my vendors space, but a situation fell in our laps that was just too good to walk away from. Long story short, we ended up doing a quick remodel on our home, and buying a house in Portland that a friend offered to me at a really great price. So lately it's been alot of house work and moving, but now we have a bigger house, a bigger shop, and we are back in Portland after six years on the Oregon Coast. We're very happy with the move, so I guess it was worth missing Oasis. I guess.

This last Moai with the hands and the star probably took about 60 hours or more including the star. I don't make maquettes. I usually work freehand, though I might have some reference sketches or photos hanging around for something new I'm trying. I learned some new techniques from a guy who does synthetic rock and boulder work. He does truly amazing and huge projects. So far, It's his basic methods of construction that I have adapted, but I hope to incorporate more of the actual texture techniques in the near future to get that real stone look on some stuff.

Benzart- Yes, that is the Nikon Coolpix 950. I love that camera! BTW, I finally got to see some of your work in person. JungleTrader showed me his at the NW Tiki-Kon. Unbelievable. The fine detail you achieve is truly awesome!