Introducing Pinacate

Pinacate, ready for work!

Nearly a year ago, I started working on a large beetle figure and posted progress up till that  point.  As proof of how horrible I can be with self-imposed deadlines, I haven't written anything about her since.  Well, introductions are in order.  Meet Pinacate, or to non Spanish speaking people, Stinkbug.  I prefer Pinacate.  She is modeled after Eleodes species, which are common throughout New Mexico.  Now that she is complete, she will be joining a roadrunner figure (Paisano) in a new, ongoing art project on my new blog.

Even though I've been lax posting progress of her construction, it has been a lengthy learning experience.  I will likely make more invertebrates in the future, but I'm not sure I will use the same methods.  One part of her anatomy which is visually pleasing to me (although it won't show very often) is her ventral surface.  Her legs are attached with buttons and look similar to the real appendages you see on a real beetle.  The downside is that the legs don't move quite the way I want them to.

The head, front view.

The entire beetle was made with felt, then covered with thin, black leather.  This aspect of the work turned out quite well.  All of the seams were hand-stitched with blue thread because I wanted it to be clear that this was a constructed figure, not a replica of a beetle.  I think it is important the the hand of the artist should be visible to the viewer and is was expressed with thread on this figure.

Stitching the leather.

The downside of working with leather is that it is a killer on the fingers.  Not only does it require more finger strength, but you must have the right tools.  I use a leather needle (super sharp and unique shaped tip) and strangely enough, my quilting thimbles.  More of this in the future.

So, Pinacate is done and ready to get to work.  I have a series of posts coming up on designing doll clothes, then I'll get to a post on creating my photography works - starring Pinacate.  Stay tuned.