Halloween 2023 mask



In the spring of '23, there was an exhibit on the Mexican art of "cartoneria" in the Folk Art Museum here in Santa Fe, where magical beasts are made out of paper, and painted in sometimes very intricate patterns. I was inspired enough to give it a go.

I started by wrapping (dry) paper around my head, roughly taping it with brown paper tape (the kind you have to wet). After that, newspaper strips. I use flour and water (boiled) for glue.

Note for the next time: This shell shrunk when dried, to the point where I could no longer put it over my head. I had to cut it and spread it out. So start bigger.

The horns are started with a round plug of wood, attached with wood glue and a (temporary) washer and screw. 2 bits of baling wire define the wavy shape, then it's back to newspaper and glue.

Cardboard and paper tape make the snout.

After the horns were halfway defined, I taped recycled telephone wire from the tips to the base, poke a hole and leave some length on the inside

Solder small red LEDs to the wires, and apply small shrinkwrap. Then finish with white paper.

This paper is from this disposable paper table cloth that comes on big rolls, rescued from the trash after some school activity.

Here you can see the zigzag lines where I had to cut it and spread it out a bit so it would fit on my head. One cut on either side.

Later I also cut holes for ears, so I could hear better when I wear it.

I also made the shoulder pieces, cardboard, paper tape and the rest is the same as the headpiece. You can also see a separate lower jaw piece, it straps on with elastic.

Paint: I started with acrylic, but I found house paint (get little sample cans) works also, and sometimes covers better.




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