…the book is called “As Above, So Below: Art Of American Fraternal Society 1850-1930…
…it is beautiful…with a foreword by David Byrne….
…I need to buy this book so that I could look at the image above EVERY day…
…sad face – no funds….
…but I could try to make one, right?…
…primitive early attempts…
…old mirror frame that’s been lying around half re-furb’ed for years….
…tissue paper “template for bones…
…the advent of the electric knife (early skulls carved with box cutter blades) made life easier, messier, but easier….
…under painting…poster paint + PVA glue…
…tissue paper layer…
…tissue paper/coloured PVA layer…
…linseed oil on frame…
…final tissue layer & hung….
….right.
….( I didn’t seek permission to use the image of the original that inspired me…but would hope that every one that can afford a copy of the book will buy one to make me jealous)….
…(and this is why there haven’t been any “octopied” paintings of late….more soon as I’ve had a spate of sales and need to re-stock!!!)….
…(but I’d rather be making more skull&bones now that I’ve discovered I can work in 3d!!).
Bored with a record shop. 
Me likey!! I’ve looked at that book online. If I buy it I’ll bring it in to show you.
…thank you Claire…don’t forget to gloat!…
Beautiful work. You would love our local soccer club: https://www.fcsp-shop.com/ .
And by the way, now you became a sculptor, do you know my former flatmates Greg Downie and/or John Hill?
Just saw: they even have a drawing with an octopus! in the shop.
…still not Arsenal…. : )
..thank you….but that’s not Arsenal?!??!…possibly, the names ring bells…def’ know Martin Downey…pretty sure Greg’s his bro’….Dunedin is surrounded by Hills….
Greg is the bro of Joe, maybe Martin too, don´t know. Greg, a sculptor and painter, did the mural in the disco next door to the crown´s (first floor, does not exist anymore). Your drawings sometime remind me of his, he did kind of toons too, and sculpture of paper that look like bronze. Never mind!
…interesting…never went to the Taipei…more of an Empire kinda guy…still see the Chin brothers down the Crown regularly…only venue in town now…and always the best!
Def´ not Arsenal. As they say: “UNestablished since 1910”
: )
That’s cool sculpting, think you should have weathered the bones though, some light and shade paint to match the original. 💀😊
….working on it…very steep learning curve… : )
yes, I like the use of electric carving knife, we have one, though use it for beef and such like normally. 🙂 Next time you do one you might like to add the bottom jaw and teeth too, just for that all round look 🙂
…the teeth are the most annoying bit…jawless they will remain!…see shop logo….(I like the idea of carving a skull out of beef…can I use that?)….
Depends on the cow 😊🐂
Put two on my side, just for you Tony, for inspiration.
Phenomenal! Loved this when it came through my email and love it still. YOU ROCK!!!
….thank you Pamo…I roll to… : )