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4. How much work goes into each mask?
5. How long does it take to make one?
6. How did you become interested in masks?
8. Are your Commedia and Noh masks exact replicas?
9. Are your masks available in stores?
10. Do you have a return policy and/or a privacy policy?
Neoprene is a man-made latex, much harder and more durable than natural latex. It will keep it's shape, unlike most Halloween masks. I use semi-rigid neoprene, so that it will have some give and adapt to the wearer more easily. It is light weight and will not break if dropped, like a ceramic mask would.
Neoprene will last a very long time if treated well. Keep it out of very cold or hot places. If it has to be stored somewhere cold, let it warm up to room temperature before wearing it or it may crack. If it is in a very hot place it could warp out of shape slightly. If the mask gets out of shape you can run it under warm water or take a hair dryer to it. Prop it in the shape it should be in, keep it there with rubber bands or something and let it cool like that for several hours. If the masks gets dirty wipe it with a soft cloth and if necessary some water.
I sculpt my masks on either a life cast of myself or on a larger faced male. One or more pieces of foam in the right places will help a mask fit and be comfortable. If you have a particular concern please e-mail me. Also the masks come with either ribbon ties or an elastic band which is usually attached through a hole on one side, letting you pull the elastic tighter or looser to fit. I include sticky back foam pieces with all my masks.
4. How much work goes into each mask?
A lot of my work starts out as an idea I scribble down, or if it's a commission someone else's scribble. I then start forming it out on the appropriate life cast. I then cast the clay mask using plaster of Paris. If it comes out well, I make a silicone master. After the new mold dries for about a week I can slush cast the neoprene. The new neoprene casting needs to dry out for at least 3 days. Then it is carefully cleaned up and painted. All this takes many hours of careful work.
5. How long does it take to make one?
From scratch, a month or so. It depends a bit on how complex the mask is. Many hours go into sculpting the mask with oil-based clay. -A week or two of work usually. About two hours to cast a mask with plaster. Three or four hours to make a master. Two hours to cast the neoprene. At least one hour of clean up and add ons. And again depending on the mask, about three hours to paint. In between steps there is drying and cure time, which can take days. A new casting will take 2 to 3 weeks.
6. How did you become interested in masks?
Through two of my college theater classes. One was movement, the other comedy. Movement had us make a mask and "bring it to life." I was very excited about the assignment and made five. They were plaster and heavy, but my peers put them on and gave them "life," a personality and place to exist in. I was fascinated by what movement taught us. In comedy we touched on commedia dell' arte; where we got to use some wonderful leather half masks. Seeing and hearing masked characters is a wonderful, sometimes surreal experience that makes me want to create more masks that "come to life."
Commedia Dell' Arte "Play of the Professional Artists," was a kind of improvisational theatre which started in Italy during the Renaissance and spread throughout Europe, becoming a popular form of entertainment for about 200 years. Commedia was performed by many different traveling troops of actors who performed stock characters; such as Harlequin and Pulcinella. It has influenced the likes of Shakespeare and Moliere, and can be seen even today in shows like "Third Rock from the Sun"(minus the masks of course). If you're interested in learning more, here is a useful link.
8. Are your Commedia and Noh masks exact replicas?
No, those masks are not exact copies. There are many historical woodcuts, paintings and statues of commedia figures; and I have taken my mask designs from these references. The Noh masks are Noh inspired, not copies.
9. Are your masks available in stores?
A few of my masks are displayed and available at the "Possibilities" store in Scranton, Pa.
10. Do you have a return policy and/or a privacy policy?
Yes, you may read it on my policy page, along with other informative and legal tid bits.
Please feel free to e-mail me at info@eyefeather.com with any other questions.
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