I finished another crazy dragon project. Maybe not as strange as my clown/dragon hybrid. But strange nevertheless. I called it “The Year of the Dragon Fruit-like Dragon.” Please don’t email me saying that this isn’ exactly what dragon fruit looks like. Dragon fruit also doesn’t have teeth. So I know. If you click on the photo below it will take you to Youtube so that you can see the time-lapse video.
PS. I have another crazy project started. I’ve just gotten older and nuttier I think. Stay tuned.
Gourmet Paper Mache Blog 
Absolutely gorgeous! Brilliant colors, lovely form.
Thank you very much Nikavt! I’ve very happy that you like this project. And I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me.
Wonderful!
Thank you for sharing.
As an 84-year-old woman, I prefer ‘less restrained’, rather than nutty…
A long-time fan,
Merut Cannon
Thank you Merut! Less restrained….I like that! Well more less restrained coming. Take care
great job!!! The nuttier the better!
Thank you Vicki! Glad you like nutty because the next project is also pretty strange. Just started it. Not sure how I got on this odd path.
That’s flippin amazing!! Love it, so original and looks just like dragon fruit!! Keep being nutty, I love the outcome. Is that skin light cardboard? Janet
Thanks Janet! I’m happy that you like this silly project. The outside layer of the fruit is a low melt plastic called “Worbla.” I was just experimenting with it. It worked well for this project. I don’t know if I’ll use it again. It is also kind of expensive. You can get it wherever they sell materials for cosplay. Take care
Feed me Seymour! Looks amazing, well done!
Thank you as always Tim! Take care
Thank the gods that your “older & nuttier” is wonderfully creative and so very amusing and amazing! Besides aren’t we all??
Yes, I guess maybe it’s not just me getting nuttier. Thank you Charleen for taking the time to comment. It means a lot to me.
I really love it! It made my week to see you post again!!
Thank you Hannah! I’m very flattered. I’ve slowed down with my art in my old age and have gotten even slower posting about it. But I think I’m picking up some speed again. Maybe. 🙂 Take care
As much as i love seeing your projects, the important thing is that you do it when you have energy and time, please don’t feel like you have to do it for us! Taking care of yourself is always the most important thing!
~Hannah
Hi again Hannah. I just noticed that you replied to my reply. You are very kind. Thank you. I know I can’t work as fast as I did when I was younger. I’m just slower at everything. Mid seventies kind of caught me off guard! Where did that time go? A nice theme for some songs, right? 🙂 Truth is though that I must do art. It is therapy for me. I have said this many times, that I am a better person when I’m doing art. It’s the truth. I’ll bet you understand. You are much appreciated. Take care
Hey! I remember watching you and reading your books back when I was 12 or so. Good to see you’re still up and at it. I like this guy. He’d be great in a salad.
Willow
Your blog is new to me and I’m blown away by your creative fabulousness! I found your blog as I’ve been researching how to build a dragon prop for a stage production and have entered a world that is new to me, thar be dragons! My concern is that the head of the dragon needs to be large, about a 2 foot diameter, with added horns and frills up to 3 feet, relatively lightweight and durable as he (she?) will be used every year. Not asking much, whew.
Have you made projects that size and if so, did you need to create an interior support structure? I’m hoping I can build it using paper mache but I’m concerned it won’t have the strength to support its weight. I’ve worked quite a bit with paper mache but nothing comparable in size.
Love, love, love the effect of the cloth mache, I will definitely be using that technique. Thank for any advice you have!
Sally
Sorry Sally. I didn’t see your comment until just now. I have made projects that size but, as you suggest, the bigger you get the more structure you need. A head that big will definitely require some sort armature. Or a little bracing. The paper mache, even with the cloth mache “skin,” will collapse upon itself over time without some sort of structure. If you follow the techniques I use by cutting open a large head shaped paper mache piece you will have two half shells that you can make into the upper and lower parts of the mouth. After pulling out the wads of paper it would be a good time to reinforce the shells. I like to use aluminum flat bars. It’s light but strong. You can connect them by drilling holes through them and using screws. Or even just use masking tape to hold them to the shell before adding some cloth mache. You can see examples of me using this type of reinforcing on the big elephant and donkey I made for a commission. You can see the posts here, https://papermacheblog.com/older-paper-mache-projects/paper-mache-party-animals/. I found the flat aluminum at my Home Depot. Not sure what else to add but I’m happy to try to answer more questions as they might arise. Good luck to you!
Thank you for getting back to me, I really appreciate it. I have a meeting this week with the director and will get more specific requirements for the dragon.
I think I’ll probably build an armature out of chicken wire but may also put in some aluminum braces. The dragon will be carried and manipulated by kids needs to be light in weight.
I just got your Paper Mache Dragon book and have the monster book ordered. I’m excited to get started but you may be hearing from me again as I work through this project!
Many, many thanks!
Sally
Sent from my iPhone
I hope it went well.