“Danse Macabe”

Mixed media piece using paper clay, graphic papers, and a repurposed wood candle holder.  The figure’s head is sculpted with paper clay over a Styrofoam ball, finished with acrylic paint & chalk pastels.  The crown and adornment are metal with an antiqued finish.  The “tree branches” lining the inside of the crown are made from wire covered with a decoupage napkin.  The skeleton arms are over a wire armature, as are the bones used for the puppet strings.  The figure’s hair is multi-colored eyelash yarn.  Theatre is made from chipboard covered with distressed graphic papers; puppet characters & stage backdrop are printed paper images.  The puppet master’s body is made from using a repurposed wood candle holder and the costuming is hand dyed cheesecloth and gauze fabric.  Entire piece is mounted on a fabric covered wood base.

Piece is approximately 16”H x 15”L x 8”W

In Private Collection

Photograph by Robert Batey