Getting crafty is something I love, and I wanted to venture into making sculptures, however it all seemed very difficult to learn, pottery, clay modelling etc, until I discovered paper mache. It may sound like childs play, but I stumbled across the website ultimatepapermache.com. The sculptures are incredible and amazingly lifelike. It takes this childs hobby to an incredible new level.

With hints and tips from the site I decided to go for it. I wanted to start simple, creating a 3D picture rather than a full blown sculpture. A fox family under the light of a street lamp.

I started using scrunched up newspaper to form my shapes, and taped them to cardboard with masking tape.

 Next I covered it all over with paper mache, then built up some of the finer details with tissue.
 It was then left to dry in the over.

A final coat of paper mache then 4 coats of 'top layer' the paper mache pase mixed with PVA. It was again dried in the over netween each coat.

After sanding it down so it was nice and smooth it was time for painting. I wanted to do it so it just looked like the outlines of the fox family were highlighted under the street light.

 

I was very pleased with my final 3D picture, although I found it did slightly crack in places. This may have been due to being impatient and drying it on too high a heat in the oven. Or the top layer did not have enough PVA in it. Well its definitely a learning curve for my next project! I hope to try this bunny.

Working alongside big cats and wolves you often see them take advantage of our own wildlife. Ive watched the cheetahs catch a pheasant, the wolves steal a squirrel, and the lions munching on badgers that got a little too close.

Now I watched what happened when a buzzard happily pecked at the remnants of the Tigers dinner. Little did it know Soundari was eagerly watching close by and the buzzard had a nasty suprise when she quickly pounced. By some miracle the buzzard managed to get in the air after being flattened, and by an absolute whisker appeared to escape unscathed! Best of all.... I caught it on camera!

Last month I read The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony and found it truly touching so decided to read more of his books.

Babylons Ark is the harrrowing story of the rescue of Baghdad Zoo. After seeing the fate of animals from previous zoos trapped in a warzone, Lawrence Anthony decided not to standby and watch the same thing happen to the animals of the Baghdad zoo. He quickly rushed out to their aid and was shocked at what he discovered. Half starved lions and tigers. Bears too traumatised to even move. The zoo was in a horrific state, with not even a supply of water for the animals.

In the searing heat Lawrence managed to get a group of people together to save the remnants of the zoo. Lugging water in one bucket to the severely dehydrated animals, searching for donkeys to feed the carnivores, all the while a war raged around them.

It really is a must read story, through his strong determination Lawrence carries on where others would have given up. His hope and strength kept his team going, even when it all seemed like it was about to crumble. You can really share his enthusiasm in his account of this adventure and by the end you will be jumping up in determination to do something yourself. The passion with which he tells his story is simply endless, and not only does this go towards the animals that have suffered, but also to the innocent civilians of Irag who have had to endure such torture.

I really recommend picking this book up and reading it. Its such a feel good story, it really makes you think if one man can do so much, then surely I can do something too.

You may remember in my 'wild to do list' post I wanted to use wildlife as an inspiration for artwork. Well earlier this year I picked up a pencil and pad and started to draw.

From my photograph of Henry the lion I tried to capture his expression, it was as though he appeared watchful and thoughtful.

Original Photo:

My Interpretation:

This is the first sketch I have done in many years, so I still hope to improve as I practice.

Let me know what you think!