Monday 26 June 2017

In Full Bloom!

Some with the end of June fast approaching I am delighted to present for your delight and delectation my completed ‘Audrey II’.  This has been, without doubt, one of my most ridiculous undertakings to date, but one that has proved to be a truly delightful distraction.
When it came to the painting, I slowly, but surely, started to build up the layers of green around the base and neck leaving only the mouth to contend with.  This has been my greatest worry throughout the build, but in the end I used the musical version of ‘Audrey II’ as a point of reference and enjoyed the added splash of colour the mouth and lips brought to the piece.
Whilst I knew that I wanted to pay homage to the intergalactic, carnivorous plant star of the 1986 musical film, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, I could not have envisaged the way the project developed and led to all sorts of wonderful diversions.   
Even with the addition of cast members and companion pieces, my addled brain continues to dream up additional accessories and scenarios.  Already plans are afoot for a more permanent home for 'Audrey II' and this in turn might call for a return to my 'Paranormal Exterminators' project, perhaps even calling in assistance from 'Mystery Inc.'
All that remains is to thank all my fellow contributors that have helped make this another great year of madcap modelling, sculpting, cutting and converting, but a special thanks must go to Roger Webb who has tirelessly reposted all our entries on to the ‘Forgotten Heroes’ site.  I leave with one final shot as 'Audrey II' makes an exciting discovery in the lost lands of 'Awdry Towers'!
I've given you sunlight
I've given you rain
Looks like you're not happy
'Less I open a vein

85 comments:

  1. While not something I can use it is very well done. Just because I cannot use it does not mean I do not admire it. I do it is very impressive.

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    1. Thank you so much Clint. I have to confess that I am not exactly sure how I will use it, but it will be fun thinking up possible scenarios.

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  2. Absolutely fantastic piece of work Michael :)

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    1. Thank you so much Tamsin, this was a real labour of love.

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  3. I do like a good, carnivorous plant :-) . It's very much the sort of thing I'd include in one of my pulp-inspired Tarzan or Lost World games (without the flowerpot, obviously).

    I guess I haven't been paying attention, though (sorry!). Is this a commercial model or did you scratch-build it?

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    1. Thank you so much and yes, all scratch built; it started off as a walnut!

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  4. That's stunning work sir, even by your very high standards!

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  5. Great job. Really out done yourself.

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  6. Just superb! You have indeed surpassed yourself.

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    1. Thank you so much Bryan, it has been a wonderful event, with everyone producing some great work.

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  7. Looks stunning dude. Job well done.

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    1. Thank you Simon, quite sad now that it is over, but there is the possibility of an extension project on the cards.

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  8. Oh dear, that first picture had me running for the Round-Up immediately! Great stuff Michael.

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    1. Thank you Sander, I think we are going to need a bigger spray can! :)

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  9. A triumph mate, even by your standards!

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  10. Tremendous! That is a pretty cool looking plant(?)!

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    1. Thank you so much Rodger, just look out when it starts to walk.

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  11. Absolutely brilliant. I bet you a company starts making one of these, next! Definitely worthy of resin/metal imitation.

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    1. Thank you Roy and wouldn't that be nice. Just remember you saw it here first.

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  12. Terrific stuff, Sir Awdry. Simply terrific. Just an awesome piece imho :-)

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    1. Thank you so much Simon, this has been an absolute pleasure to do, I have thoroughly enjoyed myself this year.

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  13. Your modeler's cornucopia is full-to-overflowing with the fine fruits of your labors, sir.

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    1. Thank you so much Jay and don't underestimate how big a part your wonderfully imaginative modelling has inspired me. You have shown all of us what is possible with an imagination and a ball of clay.

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  14. The final product is a masterpiece! Well done Michael!

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    1. Thank you so much Rod, that is so very kind of you to say so.

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  15. Replies
    1. Yes sir, as I've always pontificated: "Mr. Bods is the Lord of Puns!"

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    2. It doesn´t always work but I do try to be a funghi.......

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    3. I just can't 'leaf' you two alone for a minute before an outbreak of punning ensues. Thank you Paul. :)

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    4. My like of puns is a thorny issue. I'm not sure what it stems from

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    5. With a little cogitation you will surely get to the root of your dilemma, Pablo.

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    6. ..or, I may stop bark-ing at the moon and turn over a new leaf.

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  16. DAMN!! That just keeps getting better and better!!!!!

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    1. Thank you so much. That should be it for a little while now.

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  17. A great piece of work and it all started with a walnut! Brilliant.

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    1. Thank you Dan and of course I still have a good few walnuts left! ;)

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  18. Awesome. Things to do with a walnut number 237

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    1. Thank you Martin, although I am now wondering what the other 236 are?

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  19. That is stupendous work Michael, how you'll top that next year I don't know!

    Thanks for the shout out by the way, its nice to feel appreciated.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thank you Roger and my goodness, where to go next year? As for the shout out, you are more than welcome and more than worthy.

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  20. Fantastic work - all the effort you put into the build really paid-off!

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    1. Thank you so much, I was absolutely thrilled with how it came out in the end.

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  21. That is just superb, Michael. Watching this go from your initial raw materiaks to the finished piece has been a pleasure to watch. So glad that Forgotten Heroes inspired you to do this particular model. I think this year's entries have surpassed last year's. But what will NEXT year bring...?

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    1. Thank you so much Jez, this has been such a wonderful diversion and I can't thank you enough for all your support along the way. It was so much fun taking an idea and seeing it develop into a finished outcome and I'm looking forward to next year, but as of yet still not sure where to go yet.

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  22. Masterfully done Michael & I daresay, Mission Accomplished!

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    1. Thank you Terry, thrilled to have finished.

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  23. Welcome to the nightmarte!! Great work sir!

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  24. Lovely just needs some stats to get it into a game ???

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    1. Thank you and that is on the 'to do' list.

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  25. Fantastic! Still on my to do list as well!

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  26. Incredible work, Michael! I loved this movie when I was little and it's exciting to see the characters rendered so beautiful in miniature. Love the street scene with Audrey II peeping through the window!

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    1. Thank you so much Mr. Mouse, greatly appreciated. I really enjoyed the little photography set ups and seeing 'Audrey II' in the shop has given me all sorts of ideas for future diversions.

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  27. Excellent work! It was interesting to watch it grow. Well done!

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  28. I take my hat of (if I actually owned one) to you sir.
    This is perhaps one of the best conversions I've seen in a long time.
    Your painting only adding to the charm it already had.
    A marvel to behold!

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    1. What an incredibly kind thing to say and greatly appreciated. The support along the way has been so important in giving me the confidence to complete the project.

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  29. Superb work Michael, you have excelled with this project. :)

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  30. Great work Michael. I love the 'cartoonish' appearance.

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  31. Just excellent Michael. This project got two thumbs up from my wife and daughter and many tendrils up from the vegetable patch!

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  32. Audrey II is all she should be ... truly well done Michael.

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  33. You truly can make anything from anything. Adore it, this is one of your tops!

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  34. Fantastic mate - a great end to a brilliant project!

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