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Ryan Converse artist workshop continues

CE Guest Artist Ryan Converse's workshop with CE arists to design and build masks and wearable sculptures with CE artists continues! Below is a visual summary of days four through seven.

Day Four: Surrounding
Artists work on completing the armatures of their sculptures and begin adding layers of newspaper and tape. Once fully covered, the armature is given two coats of paste made from water mixed with fabric glue.

Ann Yamasaki & Hanh Chau at work.

Kevin Roach with mask.

Day Five: Layering/Forming
The first layers of detail are added to the pieces. Armatures begin to resemble the intended shapes of the masks. Plaster, foam clay, and paper are used to create texture and contour.

Yukari Sakura adjusts her mask.

Sakura deep in concentration.

Day Six: Layering/Texturing
The final layers of texture and detail are applied. Once choices are made and various problems solved, two thin, smooth layers of paper are used to cover the entire piece.

Hanh Chau's mask nears completion.

A close up of Ann Yamasaki's tiger.

Yukari Sakura's bunny mask.

Day Seven: Accesorize
External objects are added to the masks. Polymer clay works well, it is sturdy and can be baked in a conventional oven.

L to R: Thomas Pringle, Hanh Chau, and Ann Yamasaki contemplate what details to add.

Stay tuned for the final days of the workshop, including the artists wearing their finished pieces in locations across the city.

Above left: Thomas Pringle, Hanh Chau, and Ann Yamasaki.

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Click here to learn more about Ryan Converse and see examples of his work.