From the barn: December 2005
The cow is in the dining room. I have been staring at it for two weeks wondering what I have gotten myself into! The holidays haven't given me a chance to get the studio supplies into Babu's temporary living quarters. Seeing the snow outside make's one think the April deadline is far off, but I know better.
I begin my search online for a fiberglass supplier. I have decided to begin the project by sketching and constructing the babushka because I think it will be the most challenging aspect of the project. The babushka has to first be sewn out of burlap then soaked in fiberglass resin. It has to be able to withstand four months of variable weather and people pawing. I am reinforcing parts of it with wire so it can be form-fitted to Babu's face and the ties will be able to hold a dynamic shape. Once the fiberglass resin hardens it will need to be prepared to accept paint. Two coats of gesso (a special primer for artistic painting) will need to be applied over the fiberglass babushka. Of course the weather will have to change before this portion of the project is completed, but everything must be ready to go when that warm day arrives!