by Lee Menconi-Steiger

Feb 1-14 I have been busy--getting ready for houseguests, showing houseguests a good time, getting sick while houseguests are here, husband getting sick while houseguests are here, finally getting houseguests to airport... I was able to sneak a few minutes now and then to work. Masks, hats, sculpting, and wigs all moved forward. As I worked on sculpting faces, I worried that I'd made masks on faces that I wouldn't be using; would they fit my sculpted faces? Then I realized that the masks completely COVER the face, and only need a suggestion of eyes peeking out. Makes sculpture MUCH easier! Then I realized that many carnival costumes were long, voluminous robes. Do I need a body and legs? Probably not for some. a practice wig for Columbine; a skull mask with bicorne; gold-trimmed tricorne We visited the local zoo on Valentine's day; dozens of peacocks were strutting their stuff. I don't expect to use peacocks in this scene, but ain't it purty?

Feb 15-28 Lots of sculpting practice; I'm actually pleased with the hands I'm turning out! Also ready to bake: Columbina's torso and legs (with a wire to support her on the bridge), Skull man's body with legs (though I've decided he needs to be bent and twisted a bit; I'll have to be careful because there's a wire running through him already), head and shoulders for the devil and fish, and a handfull of "tortured soul" faces that will be part of the devil's robes.

The basic body for the torchbearer statues that will perch atop the bridge. I plan to make a plaster mold and press-mold two figures, then pose them around the carved staffs that will support the torches. The figures will be painted and gilded.

I've narrowed the list of dolls: Birdcage skirt, a woman with her hoops on the outside; Columbina, a pretty girl; Devil, dressed in red and black; il Dottore, with a beaky mask; Fish, Asian-inspired in orange and gold.; MIB (need you ask?); Pantaloon, a baggy saggy older man; Puppet show, a Rococo woman with a stage for a skirt; Skull man, a lean and athletic fellow; Wil Scarlett, robin-hoodish, all in red; Zany, a classic Venetian clown, and the Gondolier. I've made a chart showing what the personality and costume of each so I don't wind up with dolls that are too similar. Here are a few of their masks: MIB, Pantaloon, unknown, and Columbina--she'll wear a black domino and carry this mask in her hand.

This page was getting way too long and slow to load, so I've divided it up into months. January February (you're already here) March Why haven't you been working on this, Lee?

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