Vartan Project

One of my ongoing projects is creating a maquette of Armenian historical figure, Vartan Mamigonian for the film East Of Byzantium: Fugitives and Warriors. My Work In Progress will be shown at fundraiser for the movie tonight so I'm able to share it now.


Started with an armature map drawing of the character's body type.


This is the armature for a 12" figure and then the Pro Clay build up of the rib cage and pelvis mass.


At this point, the pose is worked out and muscles are put in place.


Getting down the anatomy. Even though Vartan will be wearing cloths and armor, the anatomy underneath it all needs to be correct or he won't look right.






Here he is in his current state. It's been a challenge as I haven't had much experience with clothing and armor.
Still quite a bit left to do as well. He gets a cape, scales on his armor and he will be holding his helmet in his other hand.
I'll post updates when I have 'em.

Previous Life Unearthed

My Mother seems to have discovered clues as to what I have done in a previous lifetime.


This is a photo my Mother took during a trip to Ephesus, Turkey.


AND THIS is a photo of a snow sculpture I created in our front yard in my younger days. Hmmm....

That evidence coupled with me visiting Standing Stones in Scotland and carving foam rocks for movie sets could prove that my soul was once a stone sculptor. Double Hmmm....

Back to my current life, after Akiko and I hit an art supply store in North Hollywood and stopped into a Gelson's supermarket for lunch. There picking up some groceries was none other than Steve Carell. Gotta love those LA star sightings.

Loved Kung Fu Panda. Looked great, Perfect voice casting, cool villain and some very funny moments. Jack Black is one funny dude and it was easy for me to relate to his fan-boy geek Panda character. Definitely worth seeing.