Wave Dragon

[merimask]

So.

Wave Dragon.  Technically, Natsu no Nami (I think I got that right)...Summer Waves.  I'm very pleased with it.    I do not even know how many separate pieces I used.   I just kept making waves until everything fit together.

Here's the dragon...

...and a close view of the head.  I used pewter-dyed pearls for eyes.


This one was a ton of fun to do.  The waves were SO tricky to lay out but very rewarding overall.  The piece is HUGE and absolutely hypnotic...it swirls.

In spite of being gun shy after my Koi plaque debacle, I decided to trust my instincts and really let go with this one.  I changed it a LOT from my original concept drawing, but I have to say that I feel like it's doing what I wanted it to do and then some.  The gold suede I used for the sky is absolutely the right choice.  I even like the asymmetry because it seems right that the waves have sloshed out over the border of the original circle.  You can't really tell from these pics, but the thing has a LOT of motion and lift...in some places it rises off the plaque a good 7 inches.   Viewed from the side it looks like a typhoon.  :-)  This is certainly the most ambitious piece I've ever made.

So!  Very happy tonight.  Glad to be done with this piece.  It's consumed me from the moment I did the first sketch.  I can't wait to bring this one to a show.

Comments

[rumdiculous.livejournal.com]

This was well worth the time you spent (and blue paint that got everywhere) as it's GORGEOUS. The waves look like they're moving. And the little dragon is so cute. His whiskers = love.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I had a lot of fun with this piece...I sort of hope I never sell it. Sometimes I do stuff that's so unique that I'm reluctant to part with it.

[zipis1.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow. I LOVE the color and the dynamics of the waves. Really, I'm...kinda stuck staring at it. It really draws my eye. So, SO pretty.

Did I ever mention you amaze me ? :D

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Hee! Thank you! You should see it in person...it's pretty dramatic because it's HUGE and the waves really jump out at you.

[a-hollow-year.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, lovely. Very intricate.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :-) It's too intricate...I took forever making it.

[redmagus.livejournal.com]

So...very...shiney.

I especially like how you did the tail. ti looks very fragile though, I'd be afraid to touch it.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :-)

The cool part is it's made of durable stuff. Everything you see there is made of really thick leather. That's why my stuff is unique...nobody works with leather as a sculpting medium like I do. It doesn't even look like leather when I get done with it.

[redmagus.livejournal.com]

No kidding, I didn't think you could od that with leather.

...querying what I did think you could do with leather could result in permenant mental scarring, just fyi.

[lotus-faerie.livejournal.com]

You blow my mind with your talent. That's amazing. :)

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It was fun to work on something I felt good about, for a change.

[pzb.livejournal.com]

Oh my gods. Despite all the extra work because of the smaller pieces, it was SOOOO worth it. This is just so amazing. And it IS hypnotic. Gah, I would love to see the one in RL and just stare at it for a while. XD

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :-) Heh, I was worried when I realized I'd have to do all those smaller waves...I thought it'd be too busy. It IS busy, but I think it works because it gives the piece so much motion.

I think you'd love this piece IRL. I should try to take some pictures from different angles so you can see how much dimension there is to all those waves. I'm really glad this wasn't a commission...I want to keep it around for a while.