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boolean263 — Skating bear
Published: 2006-01-14 02:05:31 +0000 UTC; Views: 271; Favourites: 0; Downloads: 7
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Description
Last weekend, the Rideau Canal skateway ([link] ), the world's longest outdoor skating rink, opened to the public. I'd been itching to skate since we had our first snow in early December, so I was out there within two hours of it opening. As I was out there, enjoying the fresh air, the snow on the trees, the bumpy canal, and a beaver tail, I got the idea to do this sculpture. I was so excited that I rushed home right away. (And took some time to warm up first, since it was -15°C out there.)When will I learn to make things easy on myself? This was a tricky sculpture, and I didn't pull it off entirely, but I'm still really thrilled with it. The trickiest part, of course, is that the only thing holding up the entire piece is a single skate on the ice. Uncured Fimo, no matter how stiff, isn't strong enough to support the entire weight of a sculpture balanced on 1mm of metal. So I did it in three parts: ice and one skate, legs and other skate, and the rest. Without going into too much detail, his pants got chewed up and the legs needed work once they were cured.
But I'm still really proud of this. I was able to mix red and white Fimo into a convincing-looking scarf without the segments falling apart or the colours bleeding together, and he's got a cute little face. The effect of having him skating along like that is worth all the trouble.
(Even though the trouble's not over yet. His boot decided to fall off the skate, and now I need to find something that will glue metal to Fimo.)
I got montage idea from ~Dragonfeelers and her wonderful man-eating lobster ([link] ). The background is a picture of the canal's ice surface, taken a few years ago.
Materials: Fimo Soft, Fimo Classic, two #1 paper clips
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Comments: 6
He's wonderful, Boo. With lots of detail from his pose right down to his scarf tassels! It's one of those creations where the longer you look at it, the more you see. Like his hands neatly tucked behind him, his metal skates and his body leaning slightly to one side - even if that bit wasn't intentional!
Though the detail is great, I think what I like most is how you've chosen to show him: pushing off the ice, leaning into the movement. That's one thing that's always lacking in mine. You get no sense of movement. And I like how you think of creative ways to make your creations stand upright, instead of just choosing the easy option and have them lying/sitting down. Bravo!
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Thank you, thank you! ^_^ You're too kind. I'd be happier if the mechanisms actually worked, but this is how I learn, right? (: Thank you for your compliments!
Oh, and the leaning was intentional. When you're skating, you never balance on one foot for long. Now, having said that, for a while he was leaning the other way, which put him off balance as a figurine as well as as as a skater. I wonder if my straightening him up into this is what made his skate come loose? Your way may be the easy way, but maybe you've got the right idea. (:
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It's wonderful man: you've improved really fast! Be background rocks too!
I love the texture of the bear head: it looks like you took the trouble of making it look like it was fur, in opposition to the clothes. The hat's great too but I'm specially impressed with the scarf: it's so complex it really looks like it took you a while. The fact it's such a detailed and little piece really surprises me but by now it shouldn't, don't you think?
Why make things easier on yourself man? The fun's to set high goals for yourself and see how can you achieve them! (like you did this time), it's just a part of the wonder that is Art. And we all like the terrifying man-eating lobster 
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You're very right about setting high goals and trying to achieve them! That's very wise. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks for the comment on the scarf! I'm not consistently good yet, so you're allowed to be surprised. (:
As much as I hate to admit it, the texture on the bear's head was entirely unintentional. 
And we all like the man-eating lobster... until it decides it's hungry. (;
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jeebus i miss beaver tails!!! nice job senor burrito!
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Heh, thanks (: You'll have to come up and get one! But surely there's some place in the States that sells them too...
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