Modification Symbioses (Animal, vegetable & mineral)3/15/19 new photo

Edit: I reuploaded a bunch of the missing photos since I am taking new photos of him I thought it only right to fill in the gaps that I could with Flickr pix since all the PB photos are gone. I have to laugh at the comment and have fond memories of working on this frankendolly.

I had this head, someone kindly modified into this cutely grotesque, catlike thing. So I thought I should make him a cutely grotesque body.

Fortunately my WTB was answered by Chalyss , and luckily the body is perfect.

More Progress Photos in Post 2 and 3, 51 and 52, 68, 75 and 76.
Post#100 standing on his own, but please if you haven't watched the process there is much to see.

This project will take some time so I am going to post part one and post more as I finish more of him.
Here is Lukas, I have used his photo here somewhere before.
catish boy by SteamWitch, on Flickr
No, this is not going to be his wig and the red earring has to go too. The eyes will also change. I am going to make him some enlarged canines, sort of cut the cuteness down a notch.

Okay so I made these montages and didn't think about the order too much.So the top right corner is the junk doll I bought. I had never had a doll with such difficult arms to unstring, so it was a learning experience. No injuries to report, though a few #^&%$ words were used.

lukas torso by SteamWitch, on Flickr

I used 300 grit wet/dry sand paper and a tub of water sanding away alot of the dye but I loved the effect since he was going to remain grotesque anyway.
lukas chest piece by SteamWitch, on Flickr

His hands were fun too, highlighting the structure with different sanding techinques.
Lukas hands project by SteamWitch, on Flickr

He kind of looks like he made of wood, to me but my husband said he looked great just like a cadaver. He should know he worked at the morgue for 22 years.

So my project is off to a good and creepy start.

8/30 Couldn't stop working on him in my mind so I worked on him .

I carved in some protection and strength symbols of my own makings. Working on the front porch in the wind I still used a mask. The resin tended to repack into the grooves, minorly frustrating. (please ignore the ugly squiggly mess, I'll get to it in a minute.
DSCF3121 by SteamWitch, on Flickr
Then once it was washed and cleaned out I tinted and filled in the carvings. Adding some light work for the veins too.
This morning I started on adding more details. - this guy is going to have to be naked all the time or only wear a loincloth because I want to see all the work I've done.
The squiggly mess didn't stain well so I carved most of it off and it became part of his vegetable symbiot, I'll probably work on it more later.
Now for the chest roll around to see what I've done. A few hours work and I'm exhausted it takes such a light touch that my muscles are tired.
Much more to do on the back but it is coming along okay.
Russian for 'faint cries are answered'
DSCF6632e by SteamWitch, on Flickr

continued...next post.

 

Newest photos. 9/1
I decided to cover up my squiggle mess with a mineral element. I found some Jasper I has collected and tumbled smooth from the San Bernard River 20+ years ago. It is a beautiful deep blood red. So here is his new chest implant, with a little something green and plantlike growing around it.
DSCF3128 by SteamWitch, on Flickr

Then I moved on to the middle torso carrying the motif down his body.
and the other side.
Here is his lower regions, having fun with this part. Hubby makes rude suggestions and I say 'yeah that will work' and he shudders. I probably won't do it though.

Need to smooth out the pencil lines and go over it with light brown acrylic 'hairs' like in the hip part. Part of the hot glue suedeing needs to be removed so it doesn't show.
DSCF3186 by SteamWitch, on Flickr
So continuing on with the afternoon.
His upper back.


Edit 9/3 New work, new photos.
I put the leaf wings on permanently and it worked out like I thought can't wait to get him finished and see him standing in with those on his back. They move so well that I had to cross them over his back or they swung out over his sides. You can barely see the copper head pin. You can see them better in the next photo.

The spiral to the right is the upper knee joint on the leg that was cut into three pieces. I'm pleased with how that particular carving and painting came out.
DSCF3005fb by SteamWitch, on FlickrDSCF3207 by SteamWitch, on Flickr
You can also see all the stones he has in his posterior. (Chalyss you can get a glimpse of the blue pendant to the right). I used a syringe filled with green metallic pigment and glue to add depth, the pencil and paint just wasn't strong enough against the raised stones. It is a similar thing I did with the mechanical hands project. Looks better in person than in the photo.
And a close up the the spine work I did today. You can see the raised effect and shimmer of the metallic pigment

I stopped for the day, I'm tired.

 

More pictures. I finished his canines or fangs, I think they came out well.
lukas pale by SteamWitch, on Flickr
Bamboo and real rose thorns make his canines. I blunted one... because I wanted too.
I have a blue blind eye but I'm wondering if it should be a yellow blind eye. I'll wait until I get the blue one in to make a decision.

Now for a look at some of the thorns.

Danbo arrived and had to take a look at the project. Some of the thorn tips didn't come out just right in my first pour but I figured it would be unusual for all his thorns to be pointy and unbroken. It just seemed like one of a few appropriate places to have thorns.
lukas wip back fangs foot by SteamWitch, on Flickr

Edit 9/10 afternoon.
Worked on the arms a little today.
DSCF3243 by SteamWitch

Forearm and wrist, the clear resin is sort of pliable before it totally sets so I can glue it down and it is form fitting. I really liked the tree bark mold, it came out great. I can see a thorn on that hand already.

Edit 9/11 More progress.

So...
Right side limbs are close to being finished. My casts set up and I used them in various places.

And closeups
Right shoulder addition cast of leaves and another thorn. Painted with metallic purple pigment and green acrylic.

Right calf and foot, added another thorn to the foot and some small additions to the stony calf sort of blended at the ankle. Still working on that foot.
Lukas leg sculpting by SteamWitch, on Flickr

Edit 9/12: So on to his left arm, this will be primarily human/animal, tattooed of course. Here is a forearm roll. Still have a few tweaks but it is essentially finished.

I need a little work on that lame heart/lava pool, and add silver highlights to the crystalline form. The symbols are my random protections markings, they aren't in any actual language.

Man, this looks so much better in person. Back to work.
Should I add insects? Maybe a termite or a ladybug?W
When I run out of room, which I will, I will note the post # in Post #1.

Edit 9/16 finishing touches on feet and hands.
and feet too!

This is all the room I have in the first three posts, so I'll post as I go.

 

Glad you are all comfy! I added more work photos to the first post for your enjoyment.

 

Hi, I added new photos in post #2. I am really enjoying the veining, reminds me of when I made maps and had to draw all those tiny streams and rivers.
I decided not to stress over the 'not perfect' carving, if someone was carving on real skin or wood, it wouldn't be perfect either. So I'm just going to go with it.

*Passes out cookies to all the viewers*

 

Um, since he looks like a cadaver I don't think the analogy holds (paint on blue b's). He was being 'funny' ha ha. Still dangling blue violet stone pendants might be appropriate, . He got stones dude, hahaha.

 

Thank you. I had to quit working on it today my neck was complaining so I'm doing laundry and checking on the den between loads. I think I'd rather be working on the resin, but housework has to be done sometime.

 

The leaves are metal and very intricate so I'm going to attach them with a head pin so they can move. I drilled the holes in his shoulder blades last night with a pin vise I use for piercings but I need something more substantial to drill the tiny holes into the thin metal. I'm going to cut out patterns for my Sewing challenge today and might work on this tonight. And take a few pictures to post this evening.

Yes, he is interested, he is very creative too and has made other suggestions other than rude comments. Apparently they do turn blue violet in real 'death' life, eek. TMI.

Ha ha, I found the pendants finally and they are exactly the right scale. I just may do it, no I probably will.... I take that dare and will run with it. I finished most of his butt which is embedded with round stones in a pattern.
Here is an earlier photo I hadn't posted of the different parts. The round holes in his butt are now filled with actual stones. More photos in Post #2 this evening.

 

Thank you.

 

Thanks, I hope to keep you interested!

Here have a cookie or do you want popcorn?

 

Thank you, I hope I don't hit an art block like I sometimes hit writers block. I think I have him all figured out, so hopefully that won't happen.

 

Thanks, hope to continue and still get other things done. Therefore, it may take a while.

 

Um, stones installed but I'm going to link to the photo cause ya know 13+. Lighting is bad sorry

I still have some work to do down there but I asked my hubby if it seemed okay and he said 'depends how cold it is' - he's a laugh a minute. so here ya go, with his thighs set in place.

 

Great I love carrots celery and dip! Thanks so much for looking and commenting. he looks like wood but he kind of looks a little like raw but dried out bacon too. lol. Yes, the dye job was a serendipitous bonus for this modification.

Thank you! Hubby sees me working hard on this and he is supportive. Took me to lunch to get me away from it for a bit.


Well, I have a few new photos in Post #2 they are closeup teasers and are still in progress but looking good.

 

Glad the snacks and pictures are keeping you entertained,. Thanks for you encouragement of my bizarre creation, keeps me going.

Had to have the stones, ya know..... I'll keep the photos coming.

 

I took some rose thorns off my bush and I am making resin castings to place on him.
Had some irritating car difficulties keeping me from my project today, but I did get these molded and cast in clear resin. You will have to wait to see where they are going.
No other new photos yet.

 

Thanks Jemey, I know I wanted to be home, playing, the only good part was I got to eat out, but it seems they messed something else up, and we have to go back tomorrow, another two hour drive, ugh.

Anyway onward, I wasn't a slacker this morning. More progress photos here in post #3. I think the clear thorns are wonderful.

 

He is one of the Chosen few and his smug look is from surviving the transformation. He is a cocky little ham and plans on using his new status to its fullest, though he is good at heart or he wouldn't have survived. He uses bravado to cover his frightened interior because he doesn't know what he is expected to do or what this transformation has really done to him.

Thank you, so here is more progress.

New photos in Post #3 Enjoy.

Everyone settled in nice and cozy, have a slice of pie .

 

Thank you, chalyss.
He has started talking to me and doesn't like his former name, Lukas, since he went through the transition, so I guess we are going on a search for his new name. Started working on his left calf, it will be difficult since all the dye has been sanded down to resin color, but I will make it work!
Challenge ho!

 

Ha ha, the Great and Powerful Shaman Lukas with the Crystal Blue... blah, blah, and on and on. Tee hee.

I'm running out of room in my first three posts so when I do I'll just add the new ones back here and list the post # at the front.
New photos in Post #3 of his arm, left one I think.

 

That is filled with so many puns I had to stop laughing to reply to you, my typing was all messed up. Should I make up a symbol to represent his new identity? *giggle*

Thanks, I am not losing steam which makes me happy, my trip to Austin was fun, I don't get to play together with my sisters that often so I came back tired but refreshed, if that makes sense.

So as I was showing her my photos on my laptop I realized that I hadn't taken photos of the newest work, so in post #3 are photos of his hands and feet. Last photos for that post #.
Here is new work I did on his torso, front and back.
DSCF3128 by SteamWitch, on Flickr
I got something I think will work for his missing thigh piece but I left it in a bag in my sister's car. I will be working on that later today when I get that bag from her. Thankfully, it's not in Austin.

More later! Thanks for you encouragement.

 

New updates I am getting really close to finishing him up but it's rainy so I can't seal the work. I want to see him restrung so badly.
So instead here are the updates.
The other calf that was sanded back to its original color, it's very colorful now.
DSCF3186 by SteamWitch, on Flickr
Still got a bit to do on it but I'm liking it.

And ta dah! The piece that will link the thigh back together. I've got the Apoxie out and am debating how much of the metal should be seen. Hope my artsy brain doesn't crap out on me now.

Lukas leg work by SteamWitch, on Flickr
Stay tuned for more. I hope to get a few dry days for sealing.

Edit 9/19.
Apoxie day, the clear resin has set and I got to work. It was difficult waiting for the apoxie to stiffen enough not to drape, but I worked it out. I set resin and real crystals, stone and stone flowers into the apoxie and set the thighs side by side to make sure I had the right length, and the thigh slit and knee joint in the right alignment. Had to redo a superglued piece, eeps, it wasn't too bad as I caught my mistake almost immediately.
So here is the icing for the thigh, all white apoxie, but it won't be after it has 24 hours to cure.

Lukas leg work by SteamWitch, on Flickr
I was thinking of adding another photo but I'm leaving that for later. I still have some carving and sanding to do before I can add some coloring.
I tried to keep the thorns and pointy stuff off the back of his thigh so the poor boy can sit down.

More photos in Post #62 and #68.

 

I didn't know how addicting it would be working on him, that is why is hasn't taken as long as I thought. It took me over 6 months to finish Reed or Animal as he was known before we learned his story. It wasn't as focused as this one, I really know where I'm heading with OfKa Lukas. Hmmm, kind of like that title.
I think ropey apoxie vines, stone flowers, and a good sized quartz crystal will play a big part in his thigh rebuild. I just need a day of dry weather, are you listening mother nature?

My other boys are feeling neglected, I fear. I got them all dressed up for a family photo and haven't done it yet. If it's nice this weekend I will take it. *crosses fingers in hopes of keeping promise*

 

Oh definitely will have to bring him, just praying for a short dry spell. I have love/hate for MSC but it is the best sealer I have.
I think that also means I need to come up with an itsy-bitsy teeny-tiny strategically placed loincloth, or camo.

 

Yeah I think I like OfKa Lukas as an official title-name, thanks Chalyss. We don't need to tell everyone what it means, . Yes we do, it's a recognition of his marvelous transformation!

I made a mold this morning and poured resin so I have a 24 hour + wait for it to cure. So I'm at a stand still now perhaps I'll get to that family photo after all.
Feeling a bit under the weather right now, darn allergies and damp weather, nap time.
Turned down the lights and my granddaughter's cat has joined me, so it's cat nap.

More later!

 

The resin set up so I started the Apoxie work but have to wait for it to set now. A Teaser at the end of Post #52, more photos tomorrow after I can do some color work.