Operation "Raise The Bar" going swimmingly...

[merimask]

I've been knocking myself out, making these augmented mixed-media masks...so far it's being a smashing success.  The cat below is still in my shop but drawing hits and visits every day.

Comments

[golden_meliades]

This isn't what you were talking about when you said you were going to raise the bar before, though, when we were talking on the phone. Did you abandon that idea in favour of goggles? The goggles add a new dimension, for sure, but the other seemed like it had a much larger range of application, not restricted to steampunk. (Steampunk really isn't my thing, so I guess I'm just more eager to see what you do with the other idea. Plus I think this idea is probably easier to copy than the other.)

Hey...I saw you were giving away your sources again, for where to get the goggles and stuff. I know you like to share, but this whole thing (needing to refresh your style and techniques) was prompted by too much sharing. I know it's not a big deal, but I just wanted to say something, in case.

It must be exciting, though, to have mask-making feel kind of 'fresh' again with the new techniques and new look of the finished product.

[merimask]

I'm working on that other idea too...the one I told you about. :) It's actually half-finished, but the steampunk-y stuff is going so well (and getting such great attention!) that I'm keeping the ball rolling for now. It's about buzz, right now, and I'm building up my steampunk gallery in DA because I'm sending out these pics/links to a few entertainment production companies soon...I want to have an impressive collection to show them

[golden_meliades]

Yeah, actually, I noticed the snowflake on FB :) Actually I noticed it even before when you were posting a goggle you made with the snowflake mask half finished in the background (unpainted.) It's really pretty.

I have a big bag of hardware that I've had around for two or three years now, intending to make a heavy industrial-style necklace. Never got around to it. The bag is still juuuust over there.

[kazeno_taka]

Damn, these are badass! The whiskers are a great (and simple!) idea. And I adore the magnification lenses on the dragon.

[merimask]

Thank you...I'm really enjoying this new experimentation phase I'm in right now. I'm so excited about my pieces for the first time in a long time. :)

[stillsostrange]

Those are beautiful tentacles!

[merimask]

Thank you! But stay tuned...the one I'm making tonight is even better! Yards and yards better. :)

[golden_meliades]

Say...I know mask-making is your business so you generally don't have time to play around with it, but have you ever considered doing as writers might do, and invite a 'challenge', either open or to a closed group of friends/associates? Like...'a colour combination' or 'a mythical creature' and so on? The person would leave no other details...JUST what you ask (two colours, the name of a mythical creature, whatever.)

I'm just wondering because it'd be like an outside prompt is for a writer...tends to make you come up with something fresh.

With all your new ideas you don't need this right now but if you ever feel like you're bored because you're having to make the same three masks every day, it might be something to try. :)

[merimask]

Challenges are fun...I don't know the right forum for it though. DA is so...competitive that it kind of takes the fun out of stuff like that (for me anyway). Maybe here in LJ.

[golden_meliades]

Prompt is probably the better word. You just say 'give me a colour combo' and leave it at that. LJ was what I was thinking, since you can select who to ask, here, using filters. Perhaps just artist friends, or the biggest mask fans, or etc.

EDIT: And I meant it only for you. Meaning you'd be the only one using the prompt. So I'm not sure if competition could come into the picture anywhere :) (I'm just thinking of ways to get random fresh ideas that you might not on your own. Like...if I was asked for a two-colour combo, I'd say 'hot pink and copper', and how often do you make masks in THAT scheme?)

[charismitaine]

*high fave*

That is AWESOME! Well done--this series of masks definitely deserves the attention that it's getting. When you say 'next level' you really mean 'leaving the atmosphere', don't you?

You're amazing.

[merimask]

Heh thanks! Yeah seriously...I'm testing myself. I want to see how far I can go if I try some really different things that I've been avoiding.