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The toad got wet, but is still doing fine. And I’m working on the dragon pattern …
About the toad…
The one thing I forgot to mention in the video is that I’m not putting the toad and his leaf casting directly on the ground. That would be like making a bowl-shaped item out of the paper cement clay and filling it with water. I think it would be an unfair experiment to have him stay wet for weeks at a time. He’s sitting on the landscape cloth that I’m using to kill some invasive grass around the strawberries, instead.
The sealer I used for the toad is holding up well, too, even in strong sunlight, which can damage almost anything. It’s Rustoleum Matte Clear Enamel, and I gave the toad two coats. You can find the first video about making the toad here.
If you’d like to experiment with the new paper cement clay recipe, you can find it here.
And about the dragon …
The dragon pattern is now finished. You can see how he came out here. And then I made a dragon mask, too. You can see the dragon mask here. I really like dragons! 🙂
To learn about the “primordial fear” theory about dragons, watch The Invention of Dragons video (The beginning is silly, but check his show notes for the academic articles he used.)
–Did dinosaur bones inspire the ancient myths about dragons?
The only videos I can find linking dragons with dinos appear to have a strong religious angle, and they suggest that dinosaurs and people lived at the same time. If that idea interests you, they’re easy to find on YouTube.
However, my theory is that people found bones of dead and fossilized dinos, which is a totally different thing. I couldn’t find
But I did find one other theory – that there was once a creature (not a dinosaur) that lived after people arrived. I don’t know … it’s interesting, but I’ll wait for more proof before I believe it. However, if there was a large flying lizard it explains why dragons have bat wings, when the theory that dragons illustrate our primordial fears doesn’t mention monkeys being afraid of bats. 🙂
And this video tells us about a real dinosaur that could have inspired two-legged dragons (wyverns). It’s a bird-like creature with bat wings.
Garden stuff …
The “core gardening” method taught on the MLGardener channel – a ‘lite’ version of hügelkultur that helps save water.
Great work as always! Glad to see your toad is holding up well. Thanks for all you do.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills with us. I watch and love all your videos on your channel and find you to be a great inspiration. Happy creating from one grandma to another :)x
Thanks for your kind thoughts, Sylvie! 🙂
You appreciate our support ! We are SO grateful for all you share in your videos!!
I get inspiration from you and lots of knowledge about how to do the sculptures. I love that you share your uncertainty and mistakes so we can bear doing the same.
Thank you Jonni
Denise
PS?? The dragon
Thanks, Denise! I’m really happy that you’re enjoying the videos. 🙂
In Asia, the dragon is of a benevolent nature and to bring rain on the earth. They are considered the Masters of water, ruling over rivers, lakes and seas. Due to its extremely positive connotation of power and gentleness combined together, the dragon has also become the symbol of Chinese emperors.
In opposition to the Western dragons – considered evil and scary creatures – those of the Orient, however, are more friendly, pleasant and full of wisdom, which shows here the huge culture difference. The dragon of Asia and, particularly in China, symbolizes bravery, excellence, courage, as well as nobility, divinity, heroism and perseverance. The appearance of the oriental dragon is quite different from that of the western dragon. Portrayed as a long and serpentine creature with four legs, it blends the features of several animals : deer horns, head of a camel, demon’s eyes, neck of a snake, belly of a mollusk, eagle claws, tiger paws, cow’s ears and 117 carp scales.
The Chinese dragon is rich of stories and legends, giving him great supernatural powers and, the ancient folk beliefs regarded it as a sacred animal. The Dragon is the first of four divine Chinese creatures, the other three being the unicorn (the Chinese unicorn called Qirin), the phoenix and the turtle.
The pearl that is sometimes seen under the chin or hold in one of the paw symbolizes welfare, happiness and prosperity.
[Extract from an article that I wrote for a Porcelain Painters Magazine on the Year of the Dragon]
Interesting! Thanks for sharing this, Marlène. 🙂
Always happy to share my experiences made of 15 years living in many countries in Asia.
Do you have a pattern for a chicken and or rooster?
I made a rooster head with epoxy clay, and made a pattern for it. You can see the first video here. And I made a really simple hen, which you can see here. It didn’t need a pattern. I also have a video showing you how to make a cardboard armature from a photo or drawing, which you can see here, and in my book. I don’t know if any of those will help, but be sure to do a search for “chicken” on this blog so you can see all the chickens that our readers have made, too. 🙂
I love the dragon! His hooded eyes do make him look rather terrifying. Also I lean towards the idea of the dragon as an archetype for our fears which may explain it’s universality.
Thank you for contacting us.
I love my dragons too. I am glad that the paper could have gone out into the garden without being damaged
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks he’s scary – I’m afraid he’s going to make the other animals on my wall a little nervous when I have him finished and hang him on the wall. 🙂