Altered State
A set of fantastic Khōn dance masks recently came through my studio.
altered masks
I was asked to alter the masks so they could be used in the new stage musical Waterfall which is based on the Thai novel Behind the Painting by Sriburapha.
The masks, from Bangkok, Thailand, were quite small and had to be enlarged to fit bigger heads. Vision was also difficult in the originals so I lowered the sight lines to the mouths and added mesh to improve vision. It was quite inspiring to explore these masks up close and learn about how they were created. The four originals I received were likely created for rituals and placement on altars – probably never meant to be worn. Nowadays these masks are manufactured and sold to tourists but I’ll admit that I felt the pang of guilt , Western guilt, as I altered these traditional objects from another culture.
original masks
alteration plan
“The altar is set for the Krob Phra Pirarp rite by H.M. the King” photo from the book – Khōn Mask: Thailand’s Heritage
Holiday with Cthulhu
Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s brilliance and his most charming creation Cthulhu – Here is a series of photos created with my friend Adam for the holidays.
Yuletude Greetings from the Elder Things and Deep Ones!
Eggnog
Group Action
Mistletoe
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Cryptid Miscellanea
Earlier this summer I was asked by illustrator Bil Donavan to take part in a mythology themed drawing night at the Society of Illustrators. It sounded like fun so I gathered together some of the creature costumes that I’ve created over the past few years and took them to over to the Society. Working together with three models I created a motley crew of fantastic beings that were then drawn by the illustrators in attendance. Such fun! It was such a great experience to see my designs come to life and be rendered in pen, ink, watercolor… – with such amazing illustrative talent! Below are a few images that were graciously shared with me by the artists.
Illustration by Clifford Faust
Illustration by Clifford Faust
Illustration by Joan Chiverton
Illustration by Clifford Faust
Illustration by Stefano Imbert
Illustration by Clifford Faust
Illustration by Joan Chiverton
Illustration by Joan Chiverton
Illustration by Clifford Faust
The Minotaur modeling photo: Bil Donavan
Illustration by Stefano Imbert
Old Man From the Sea
Photographs of a costume recently made with Baxton Alexander.
It came from the deep to watch the sun set photo: Andytoad
Shell skirt and mask photo:Andytoad
mask detail photo: Andytoad
The Stealing of the Kine
Last week in Philadelphia, in the Conwell Dance Theater at Temple University, Wolf-in-Skins (a dance-opera I have been designing with co-creators Christopher Williams and Gregory Spears) had it’s avant-premiere showing of act one. My costume designs for the opera’s supernatural characters made their first appearance on stage. Many thanks to an amazingly gifted cast of dancers and singers who transformed and transported us to netherworld realms.
I had my camera with me during the dress rehearsal. Here are some photos of my costume designs for the race of the “Fay.”
Gwrgi, Bleiddwen, Gwyddrud and Gwydden (Matthew Flatley, Kira Blazek, Jordan Isadore and Steven Zarzecki) _ photo: AndyToad
Llaethwen, Llaethenwen and Maiddwen (Chelsea Retzloff, Caitlin Scranton and Andrew Champlin) _ photo: AndyToad
A pack of wolves and hounds _ photo: AndyToad
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As for the future of Wolf-in-Skins, we will continue working on its second act this year, and the complete dance-opera is slated for debut in New York City in 2014. More info as it develops
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Lupine and Canine
In the studio sculpting wolves and hounds for “Wolf-in-Skins.” _ photo: AndyToad
Watermill Center Residency with Christopher Williams
Watermill Center _ photo: Gregory Spears
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Recently I returned from a week long stay at The Watermill Center where I was in residence with Christopher Williams and Gregory Spears working on our upcoming “dance-opera” Wolf-in-Skins. During our time there we worked to further develop the choreography, music, and designs for Wolf-in-Skins. Watermill provided an enriching experience, an awesome opportunity to be amongst my collaborators for an extended amount of time and to focus on our work. In an amazing space. (Thank you Watermill!)
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The Knee at Watermill Center _ photo: Gregory Spears
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In my studio space at Watermill _ photo: Gregory Spears
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The Watermill Center’s large collection of world masks, objects and photographs offered me much inspiration as did exploring the library’s vast book collection. I spent the majority of my time at the center sketching, planning and refining the costume designs for the race of The Fay and The Hounds of The Fay (both played by dancers), and the Ellyllon (played by opera singers).
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Friends in my studio _ photos: AndyToad
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The sacrifice totems _ photos: AndyToad
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Some sketches by AndyToad
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Ellyllon shapes by AndyToad
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In conceptualizing the costume design Christopher and I have set some guidelines for the look of these primordial characters. The Fay come from a time of mystery and elegant magical craft whose history has trickled down to us through myth. The time of the Fay roughly corresponds to our geological time period known as the Stone Age.
The Ellyllon are very ancient elemental entities, older than The Fay. The Ellyllon are the storytellers, the voices guiding the narrative. They are Shapes and shadows in the process of forming and un-forming.
The aforementioned races exist in a time prior to human mastery of fabric and tailoring. The Fay and Ellyllon “garments” are more hide and skin-like – shells, vegetation, skin, bone, teeth, amber… organic and manifested in unknown ways.
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Costume Textures _ photo: AndToad
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Hound mask in progress _ photo: AndyToad
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Christopher with dancers Matthew Flatley and Caitlin Scranton _ photo: AndyToad
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Wolf-in-Skins in progress showing _ photo: Jake Schlichting
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Wolf-in-Skins in progress showing _ photo: Jake Schlichting
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Observing a hound in progress _ photo: Jake Schlichting
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Hound in progress _ photo: Jake Schlichting
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AndyToad 
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