Copperhead Medusa Mask

Posted Oct 12, 2007, 8:26:40 PM UTC

This Medusa was a ton of fun to make. I love all the warm chocolate tones. I researched the pattern; this is based on a Northern Copperhead snake (I saw one on a bike path once...it was just a baby & it was beautiful).

The snake's eyes are real carnelian beads, hand-sewn onto pieces of black suede that are then cemented into each tiny snake head.

The mask is made of one solid piece of 100% high-grade tooling leather, hand-sculpted and painted (meticulously!) with liquitex acrylics. Then, I seal the whole thing with a clear acrylic coat, making the mask extremely durable & water-resistant.

Comments

Jilly
Oct 13, 2007, 11:40:11 AM UTC
You make such awesome masks. The colors on this one are awesome looks like the snakes could come alive any second XD
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- merimask
  Oct 13, 2007, 8:16:38 PM UTC
  Thank you. This one was fun to do...browns are my favorite colors to work in.
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  Jilly
  Oct 14, 2007, 12:41:10 PM UTC
  You're welcome! ^_^
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Saigith
Oct 12, 2007, 1:51:53 PM UTC
Ooooo, I love snakes! Got a pet cornsnake myself How long did it take for you to do this one? Very nicely done on the scale texture. I'm liking the brown colors very much.
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- merimask
  Oct 12, 2007, 4:10:49 PM UTC
  This mask takes about twelve hours from start to finish. It's all the tooling & all those tiny snake heads, plus sewing those eyes in takes forever.
  
  I've done many Medusas (Medusae?), but usually they're metallic colors drybrushed on black which is a LOT quicker. This was a sort of challenge to myself, to see if I could do it.
  
  I also did a Diamondback Rattlesnake version...I ought to upload that one too. It was CRAZY complicated.
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  Saigith
  Oct 12, 2007, 4:57:07 PM UTC
  The more complicated, the more fun, right? ~^ I really like your masks. I wish I had the patience to do 3-D art, and I also like your traditional art as well.
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