And here it was on the campers' last day, during the family picnic. I had to choose these 4 to be the puppeteers, which was easy as they'd come to class after class. The rest were appeased by being given bubbles, streamers and rattles to accompany us with. I took the inside position as the puppet had gotten too intense for a small person. My head puppeteer was an amazing fellow who held up that heavy head for our whole 20 minute show. We danced, we pecked at things and ate the camp staff. Best of all we laid 2 eggs, which got cheers from the surprised crowd. And for me, being inside, getting to see a stampede of feet around me with cheers and shouts, and occasional faces popping in from underneath to discover the secrets of the giant chicken puppet, that made the 3 very challenging and exhausting weeks completely, utterly fulfilling.
All the credit goes to these kids. They came up with the all the design, from the sunglasses and ukulele props, to the extra long extending neck, to the laying of eggs and the tossing of gummy worms, and the cowboy boots (which, well, turned out to be go-go boots). And they did all the work other then the heavy interior construction. Plus by the end they had specific theatrical requirements, like that the puppet be hidden until just the right moment of the picnic.
And now, to start another one all over again on Monday! (thanks to LB Stein for the photos, and getting me the job!)
is not so much work when it's at a place like this. It was 3 days work this weekend that I chauffeured a wedding party at this seaside home, and was reunited with my beloved 15 passenger Festival van. The weather and the views were paradise. The people were really nice. The coffee breaks overlooking the regatta marvelous.
More of my lame sonore case (especially for Natalia the Saw Lady, who I'm honored to have as an occasional visitor here. She rocks.) The jersey-covered chipboard bow box (above), the flap side (below), and the heavy black canvas interior (that will hopefully stand up against the saw teeth) with snaps!
Feeling serious about my saw, and worried about the safety of my exposed bow and the arms of passers-by as I lug sharp metal teeth down the street to rehearsal, I made a custom fit case, including pockets for bow and rosin and leather shoulder strap. Still waiting for snaps for the pockets, but it's a happy saw outfit now. It only looks a little like a rifle.
The Giant Chicken Puppet got made in one hour classes with changing groups of usually 12 campers ages 6-12 and a teenage counselor assisting. It was a challenge to keep everyone of all ages occupied at once, and re-teach and explain the project every class. I had at least 4 different task stations they could switch between if boredom was imminent: feathering, egg painting, head papier macheing, sewing, and prop making; most needing lots of supervision and instruction, so I was running between tables like a headless chicken. I experimented with teaching one camper a task, then letting him or her be the supervisor of that table, and I was surprised how well they worked together that way. I also soon realized smocks were key. 
Consistently though my life, when I get a call from an art director to do an illustration, it very often is subject matter that closely resembles something going on in my life. A synchronicity.
With just a gap of 12 hours in between, I went from artist's driver for the Festival to recycled art teacher at a kids nature camp. I'm still not recovered from the whiplash. It's my first time being a full time teacher, and the first time in ages being at camp.
Finally, finally, finally, Chiru is an actual book, with a cover, and a jacket, and a spine, and pages, and everything. And Wilson gives it twelve out of twelve whiskers. You can see some of the interiors here.