Category: Scarecrows

If you want to be unorthodox…

You have to look for inspiration in unorthodox places.

We’ve been deep into research mode. I’ve made no secret I was unhappy with the scarecrows this year. I mean they turned out ok, and how I expected, and all. They were just too ORDINARY. What’s more, they really did not have any way to tie in with the eventual planned move to Spider Woman.

So, how does one come up with UNORTHODOX scarecrows? And, what’s more how does one tie scarecrows into Spider Woman?

First up, finding some scarecrows. I’ve been running random searches for some time. Found plenty of scarecrows, scary and cute. Virtually all the standard humanoid being on a cross. None of it was catching my attention.

I forget what the specific search term was that brought up THIS image.

From 2011 buildup

Now, that is something I can work with. It’s spidery as it is, and bears a striking resemblence to Charr as well.

From Year of the Charr

I started seeing friends for Charr…but I can’t possibly store all that…so, lets see where that pic came from, maybe they have some more sources…

Did they ever.

From 2011 buildup

Magic the Gathering, of all things. Not only was it dishing up unique art in spades, it was dishing out a story to go with it.

“Most of the scarecrows of Shadowmoor were built by kithkin cobblesmiths to perform basic farming tasks. Even on that dimly lit plane, kithkin have to raise springjacks and care for their sickly, nettle-infested crops, so enterprising hedge-mages of the douns (the Shadowmoor term for kithkin villages) built creatures to help with the chores. The cobblesmiths could only spare a few tools, bones, or scraps of wood to create the things, which caused the scarecrows to move in an unsettling, herky-jerky way. Some say the first scarecrow-makers used the enchanted wood of dead treefolk, and their movements are indicative of the wood’s intrinsic rage. Whatever the cause of their strange movements, they didn’t do their jobs very well, but at least when dark things in the night snatched them away, the farmers hadn’t lost much.

Over time, as farmers moved or passed away, some of the scarecrows remained. Most of them continue to try to perform their intended actions, but removed of their context, their actions seem bizarre and inappropriate. A scarecrow designed for scything grain, for example, can seem menacing when it comes at you in the dark, its sickle-arm raised high and its empty eyes trying to decide whether you are ripe for mowing. Other scarecrows are more innocuous in purpose, but can still be strange and scary.”

From 2011 buildup

It’s looking like The Harvest might just have another year of life left in it as we prepare to transition…

The Harvest is forming.

First light this morning.

From 2010 Buildup

As you can tell I had already been at it for some time…

A pumpkin creeper body, waiting for a head.

From 2010 Buildup
From 2010 Buildup

Couple more hanging off the fence.

From 2010 Buildup
From 2010 Buildup

So, day’s end.

Front back together, and torches posted.

From 2010 Buildup

I got this panicked moment when I realized that, with the gazebo broken this year, I had no way to get the chords across the path. Raven grass is my answer. I planted this stuff specifically for use on Halloweens, but hadn’t planed on using it this year. I’ll tie the tops of it I have posted to either side of the fence there to make an arch, and presto, chord up and over. (In about 2-3 years, I’ll have LOTS of this grass)

From 2010 Buildup

I’m not a HUGE fan of the scarecrows, but it’s the clothes I could find in short order. (mostly cast aways from my son)

From 2010 Buildup
From 2010 Buildup

‘The orchard’ area. I’ve decided we’ll hang some lanterns and spray some webs in these trees.

From 2010 Buildup

Fred on his spit.

From 2010 Buildup

Fred seems to get better with age…(now 3 years old)

From 2010 Buildup

The fence creepers. I was out fiddling, trying to get them on after dark. Torches lit to see what I was doing, and get a feel for things. A car was stopped in the street watching as I plugged these in and I just hear a “holy crap that’s cool” waft out from the window.

From 2010 Buildup
From 2010 Buildup
From 2010 Buildup

The pumpkinhead scarecrow to honor the picture that started all this.

From 2010 Buildup

Sorry it’s blurry, but I’m using the point and shoot sans tripod. Testing the battery tea lights I bought. Should work great.

From 2010 Buildup

Even the crappy ‘crows look half decent in the dim torchlight.

From 2010 Buildup

Demons, ‘Crows and Skulls.

Another busy weekend wrapping up.

First up, just an example of my chalk. Unassuming by normal light.

From 2010 Buildup

It really comes to life in the black light.

From 2010 Buildup

Next, the Demons got a quick wash to prepare them for life under black light.

From 2010 Buildup

And I managed to discover a means to paint my skulls that is invisible in normal light. (ignore the blue and greenish tinged ones on the far right, done before I created the new paint)

From 2010 Buildup

And, what’s even better is it brings out a range of colors under black light. From white to gray to tans.

From 2010 Buildup

Finally, tired of black light work, I started work on the new scarecrows for the year.

From 2010 Buildup

More will follow if the technique proves sound.

Also working on Kyle’s mask…hoping he can blend in with said scarecrows this year…

From 2010 Buildup