Paper Mache Buddha...with Jo

Hi again,
So I'm going to admit up front that I've already finished this project.  I've actually mentioned it in other posts.  But I want to show the steps of the build for those of you who enjoy watching these projects being made,  and for people who are first learning about paper mache.   I was commissioned by a very nice person named Steve, owner of the Starling Coffee Company, to make a laughing Buddha for his shop. 

I'm starting with a photo of my pal Eddie.    Here he is, looking a little concerned.   I think he's worried that the previoius pope, John Paul, might not get the second miracle he needs to become a saint.  (It's hard to do miracles after you are dead.)
   
As always with my paper mache projects, I started with a pile of crumpled balls of newspaper.  I wanted the Buddha to be full size, at least as big as I am.    So I needed quite a few of these.

I put them all together with masking tape.  Here is the body from the front and the side.  As you can see, I used a lot of masking tape to hold all of this together.  The masking tape also keeps the paper mache paste from soaking too deeply into the giant wad of paper.
  

I also made separate balls to use for the head and for sculpting various other parts.   I made the basic thighs and calves and upper arms and forearms.  I put those inside wire clothes hangers.    On the right are all of these pieces drying after I added the paper mache.  It took about a week for this mass of paper mache to dry.
 

Okay, this last photo has nothing to do with paper mache.  It is a photo of sunset ON MARS!  It was taken by one of the rovers.   Isn't it amazing what humans can do?  


By the way, if you live in the Seattle area, and you can't stand waiting for me to show you the finished product, then go have a cup of coffee at Starlings.   It's in Lynnwood at 16108 Ash Way, just off the 164th exit of I-5.  

See you soon with the next installment. 

Dan

Posted by Dan the Monster-man at 6/1/2011 8:46 PM
Categories: Paper Mache Buddha with Jo
Tags: paper mache papier mache sculpture art technique arts and crafts paper crafts buddha laughing instructional video coffee java enlightenment
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  • 6/1/2011 9:53 PM Suz wrote:
    Nice pic of Eddie, He's such a cutie...Darn, to far from Seattle, I'll just try to be patient!! LOL..
    Reply to this
    1. 6/2/2011 6:31 AM Dan the Monster-man wrote:
      Hi again Suz,
      You are too funny.    Yes, patience is a virtue. Or so they say.  I've never tried it myself.
      Dan
      Reply to this
  • 6/2/2011 8:55 AM Dee Marcellus Cole wrote:
    I use the same materials as you do but in a different sequence. I stuff my pieces with wadded newspaper after I build the piece with tagboard/cardboard. I then layer the surface with craft paper. I use wallboard joint compound for extra strength. I will try a photograph the steps. I do very large sculptures too. Check out my web to see finished pieces. Dee
    Reply to this
    1. 6/2/2011 9:07 AM Dan the Monster-man wrote:
      Hi Dee,
      I will check it out.   Thank you for sharing!
      Dan
      Reply to this
    2. 6/2/2011 9:10 AM Dan the Monster-man wrote:
      Hey again Dee,
      Those are indeed great pieces!   I love them.   I'm putting your address on this response so that people can go to your site.   Check this out!
      Dan


      Reply to this
      1. 6/3/2011 9:15 PM Lori wrote:
        So you HAVE been busy, as usual!!!
        I really want to drive all the way there so I can see this buddha in person.
        Maybe some day!

        This may not help me at all since I live in Canada but any suggestions on where to get a good deal on masking tape?
        I bet it does speed up drying times, which is something that I hadn't thought of.

        Once again Thanks for sharing all the great advice!
        I always look forward to seeing your next project.

        Any more books in the works?

        Thanks,
        Lori
        Reply to this
        1. 6/3/2011 9:19 PM Dan the Monster-man wrote:
          Hi Lori,
          Nice to hear from you again.  I get the "contractor" packs of masking tape at Home Depot.   You get 5 or 10 rolls at a time.  It is cheaper that way.  Do you have Home Depot up there?   

          Sorry, no new books in the works.   But thanks for asking.
          Good luck on your projects.  Hope you are having fun.
          Dan

          Reply to this
  • 6/4/2011 10:20 AM Lori wrote:
    Yes, we do have a home depot. I'll look there.
    Thanks!

    This is a perfect project day...
    too miserable to go outside.
    It is SNOWING.

    Lori
    Reply to this
    1. 6/4/2011 12:44 PM Dan the Monster-man wrote:
      Snowing!!  Wierd.  This is our first beautiful couple days, 70 degrees, sunny.    And my school is out!   I don't teach again for three months.  Life is good.  Good luck on your project.
      Dan

      Reply to this
  • 6/4/2011 8:09 PM David Davis wrote:
    I can't say enough good stuff about your art. I have your book and watched your videos both fast and slow. Even slobbed up my basement with some projects. Keep up the good work it is very inspiring.
    I know you have rules about the paste and what goes into it. I noticed in you instructional video that you mixed the paste by hand. I Hope there is no Dan law against dumping the whole mixture into the blender and mixing it that way instead of by hand?
    Reply to this
    1. 6/4/2011 9:00 PM Dan the Monster-man wrote:
      Hello David, 
      Wow, thank you for your nice comment.   I'm very flattered.   And I'm really happy if anything I do helps other people decide to try this out.   I think that creating sculpture is supremely satisfying.  It feeds me the right way.   It sounds like you are feeling the same way.  I'd love to see what you are coming up with.  I'd love to post photos of your work if you are interested.   If you ever want to do this, just send the photos to dan@gourmetpapermache.com.   If I don't get right back to you, send me an email.  Sometimes photos, if the files are too large, don't get forwarded to my work email.

      Thank you again.  Keep making art.  And yes, you can make the paste any way you like!   I just like to say that you don't need to do anything fancy.  No need to heat anything up or put in special additives.   Just cheap flour and water.  Maybe warm water.  

      Take care
      Dan

      Reply to this
  • 6/15/2011 3:52 PM Jennifer wrote:
    Hello Dan,
    What size are the eyes you have on your basic monster in your paper mache monster book? We are looking at taxidermy eyes which come in a variety of sizes.
    Thanks,
    Jennifer
    Reply to this
    1. 6/15/2011 4:44 PM Dan the Monster-man wrote:
      Hi Jennifer,
      That's a bit of a tough question.   How big the eyes are is really a matter of taste.   The eyes on my basic monster in the book was about 20 mm.  I would say that is about average.    Here's what I do when deciding about the size.   Most foot long rulers have a metric side on them.   Each of the number is, of course a centimeter, and the millimeters are the smallest lines (sorry, I'm not trying to insult you with this, just making sure I'm clear).    The sizes you see in the taxidermy catalogs etc are stated in mm.   I mark off 20mm or 15mm or whatever.   That will be the diameter.   It is easy then to just draw a circle that size.  Cut it out and tape it on to your monster.   If it looks right, then buy that size.    By the way, if the eyes you buy have irises, they will give you two sizes.   Like 17/20mm.   The 17 would be the diameter of the iris, and the 20 the diameter of the full eye.    Getting those two numbers right requires making a template like I just mentioned.

      Let me know if this was not clear enough.   
      Dan

      Reply to this
  • 6/15/2011 7:42 PM Georgia Dunn wrote:
    A friend just showed me your site and works, amazing stuff! I do happen to live in the Seattle area, hopefully I can get to Starlings soon!
    Reply to this
    1. 6/15/2011 8:58 PM Dan the Monster-man wrote:
      Hi Georgia,
      Thanks for stopping by.  Sorry I had to moderate this.  I've got this goofy spammer trying his hardest to get a post on here.   But he doesn't understand filters.  Anyway, if you get to Starling's, tell Steve "hi".  That would make him happy.  Also, I'll have a couple more displays this Fall if you are interested.  I'll make some posts about them.  
      Take care
      Dan
      PS.   I'm putting up another post momentarily.  

      Reply to this
  • 7/1/2011 7:49 AM Mary wrote:
    I wish I could go up to Seattle and see him. I was there about 5 years ago and just loved it. Such very nice change from Arizona, although I do boast a lot that the desert is a perfect place for paper mache. Things seem to dry before you can finish.
    Reply to this
    1. 7/1/2011 9:47 AM Dan the Monster-man wrote:
      There is a lot to be said for the desert.  Seattle is a beautiful place.  But it can be a bit oppressive in the middle of winter.   Of course that's when you crawl in a hole and do art.    
      Reply to this
  • 3/19/2012 3:02 AM Anat sutton wrote:
    Dear David
    I saw your budha and I was amazed from it. I l am from israel and I also do paper mâché and to see how u make all of the arms legs including finger nails .... Wow u r my hero.

    Keep doing it and all the best
    Anat
    Reply to this
    1. 3/19/2012 6:46 AM Dan the Monster-man wrote:
      Hello Anat,
      It's always nice to meet another paper mache artist.  Thank you for visiting my blog.  And thank you for your kind words.  I'm glad you like my work.
      Good luck to you.
      Dan

      Reply to this
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