Introduction

[bcurrier]

Terrific, world-class, imaginative work! I've seen a lot of masks in craft galleries, faires, and the like, but don't recall any with the dimensionality and structure yours have. More typical are simple shapes with simple molding. Yours have features, tapered tendrils (love to know how you do that), expression, hills and valleys, color, etc. And the variation is astounding!

[Mike Craw]

Hey Maxx,

Greetings from the Golden Isles. Welcome to the board, and I am also looking forward to more photos.

Mike

[MaxxEmpire]

Maxx, for those of us who might like to try a simple mask, could you explain the basics? I guess the main question is how to do the molding. I imagine you'd buy some sort of human head mold from a craft store and use that for the basic form. But how do you get the other contours, like the eyebrows, etc.?

I'd appreciate any info you're willing to share. Regards, -Alex

Thank you all for the very kind words!

My style of mask making is a bit unorthadox from the traditional wooden face mold method. Here is a very basic description of my method.

All my molding is done by hand and a few simple tools; Awl, ball point stylus, two different rounded ended handles of old paint brushes (one broad & one narrow) and a ball peen hammer.

I cut out the basic shape I want -including the eyes (this takes some practice to know just where they should go)

I case the leather.

I use my hands as the negative mold and the various points of the tools as the positives.

If I roll the edges I use the hammer for a little added umph.

I then twist, pull, stretch, compress, pinch, fold, etc. the mask into the desired shape. As it dries I try it on for basic comfort and adjust as nessessary.

For example; the eyebrows are raised by pinching the leather, then laying the raised ridge in the furrow of two fingers I clean up the line with the stylus from behind.

I do lots of detail work in addition and there is of course the dyeing and painting where I use both hand brushing and airbrushing for both.

But that's the basics.

-Maxx

PS-William, I am often in Fairburn for the faire there in the Spring.

[ArtS]

Really great work. I'm also in Georgia, just north of Woodstock, Cherokee Co.

Amazing what you're doing. I showed my son (who has a band) and of course now he wants me to make him one. LOL I catch up first.

I just do this as a hobby and for friends.

I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Art

[randyandclaudia]

Your work is excellent. Love the masks. Welcome to the forum.

Randy

[MaxxEmpire]

Really great work. I'm also in Georgia, just north of Woodstock, Cherokee Co.

Amazing what you're doing. I showed my son (who has a band) and of course now he wants me to make him one. LOL I catch up first.

I just do this as a hobby and for friends.

I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Art

Hi Art,

I have done several masks for guys in bands and it is really cool to see them in action on stage and in their videos.

-Maxx

[leatheroo]

Hi maxx

a friend from myspace maskers!!!

glad you found this forum.

I love your website and i am humbled by your work.

Looking forward to more pics

welcome