"Hidden Pictures" - 2011

"I love the way you guys think inside the box." - Gary Phillips

Several years ago I made an entire Christmas village with several buildings all made from folded paper, felt and glitter. It's a pleasure to occasionally get away from the computer or paper and pen and build something 3 dimensional. 

Karen and I talked about the Hidden Picture theme for awhile. Karen said something to do with bad or evil pictures, I said, "Forbidden Pictures" and decided that was what I would do. I wasn't sure how to do it. The movie theater idea seemed as good as any other. I liked the idea of bananas doing bad things.  Karen said she wanted to be an art museum.

The next step was finding big cardboard boxes in the trash. The brick and texture on both buildings was lifted from the internet. I printed 8.5 sheets and patched it all together. We decided to provide the minimum amount of space to see, which in the end, made it very hard to see. Karen insisted that she have doric columns on her museum so I left that for her to figure out. The steps on the museum seemed like it would be difficult but surprisingly I just scored and folded it without any trouble.

It's never been hot for the Illustrators Party, not until this year. The inside of the box was 20 degrees warmer than the outside air. I didn't stop sweating until Sunday morning. Karen said she couldn't hear and every time I looked at her she did not have the box on her head. What was she thinking, not wearing the box? I wore the box the whole time.

It was a wonderful party, it was so much fun seeing all the different interpretations of the theme!

"That's Silly" 2010

The barrel costume was made by scoring and folding a single cardboard box. I painted the wood grain with craft paint. Fastened the suspenders to the inside and wore Shirley's husband Bill's hat from his Madison Ave. days.

Judging from the reaction, this may have been my
best costume ever. I know I said the same thing last year and the year before that. I'm getting older and trying to remain as flexible as possible which requires changing your mind a lot and of course no one wants to think their best work is behind them.  Originally I wanted to be a "Barrel of Monkeys." That would have been quite a bit more work but I felt it would be no more effective. The costume says naked although most of me is covered. Karen said the barrel bounced nicely when I walked and was funny enough with no monkeys.

I love the Illustrators Party. I am proud to keep company with such a wonderful, creative group of professional artists and their families.

2009 Come as Your Favorite Day of the Year!

  In my opinion, this may be my best costume ever. I think without being familiar with art of Patience Brewster, the idea of this concept working would have never come to me. I made the cardboard and foam core top, added the toys. Karen sewed the stocking. Karen designed plush toys earlier in her career so there is really nothing she can't design and sew. It was great fun to build and wear!

2008 Enchanted Forest

Somewhere on my chest is the Nicholas and Alexandera monogram from the "Treasures of the Tzar" show that Karen and I bought on one of our first dates. Judy Moffatt looked smashing! Karen is somewhere  in the photo below lost in Frank and Patti's costumes.

2007 Western Theme

I could not control myself. I was so into this it was scary. Karen was almost as bad as me. Shirley lent me this really cool gun with a super long barrel. Everything else was already in my closet. Karen made her skirt with appliqued felt. This was a good costume year. Just adding a sheriff's badge made a costume. 

2006 Time Tunnel

Karen and I as kids in our pajamas from the past and Linda and Craig Weller as Linda's Bear Family in the future.

2005 Paradise

This costume started with the hat that I bought in Russia. The rest of the uniform was bought in the city.  Karen added the black stripes to make it look more like a Russian uniform. Karen's costume was my idea... or was it hers? There is also a photo of me with brilliant costumer Judy Moffatt.