I joined the sculpture swap with a pretty loose idea that I wanted to make something playful and a little over-the-top, and I ended up going with paper mache for the build. The structure itself was actually the straightforward part. I used the traditional balloon base layered with newspaper strips. I went with watered down glue though and not flour because it’s really wet here in New England right now, and I was worried about mold. The legs are wire wrapped in floral tape, brushed with black acrylic and Mod Podge, and the beak is paper clay built up over wire. The form came together pretty easily.
Painting isn’t where I feel most confident, and I tend to overwork things, so there was a lot of repainting involved. What helped, more than anything, was realizing I could just let layers dry and start over, and I did multiple times.
The final version leans into a kind of rainbow maximalism that pulls from late 80s and early 90s design. Think school supplies, stickers, and accessories. Lots of saturated color and mixed patterns.
I was also thinking a lot about Sparkledog aesthetics while working on it. That style comes out of online furry art spaces where artists go over the top so think bright, clashing colors, layered patterns, exaggerated details, and a general “more is more” approach. It’s playful, and a little chaotic.
Because the finished piece has such a strong late 80s / early 90s energy, I sent it along with some rainbow jelly bracelets and Pop Rocks to match that vibe.
AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
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I love your final owl. It is a style I embrace…lots of colors and patterns. You did a nice job with the paper mache. Your surfaces have texture but are pretty smooth. I like it a lot and am sure your partner did, too!
@wittychild I was definitely channeling Lisa Frank vibes when I was working on the rainbow leopard print.
@Wildblue ooh! I like Tank Girl so that makes me happy.
@AIMR Thanks! I love mixing patterns and colors. I feel like I have two modes as I get older. All black and dark forest goblin colors or vibrant chaotic, rainbow bright colors.
What an absolute beauty! Now that it’s getting warmer in these parts, I believe my owl friend will start making her beautiful calls from the trees behind my home. We can never see her, but she makes her presence known.
