Scarecrows as art - III

Scarecrow by Michael Holmes, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest © photo 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

A little bit more from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest.... (drumroll) the first place winner is... Michael Holmes, from Napa!

I wanted to share a few wonderful details of Michael Holmes's pumpkinhead scarecrow. Here's an overview – the scarecrow sits on a stump, with cornstalks around him.

Scarecrow by Michael Holmes, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest © photo 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Despite a countenance whose friendliness looks questionable, this fellow shows his heart of gold as he shares popcorn with his crow friends. (Now, that's a nice way to spend your time in a cornfield... or anywhere.)

Scarecrow by Michael Holmes, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest © photo 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

There are so many exquisite little details, like the tendrils of the pumpkin stem, and the gestures of each of the crows.

Scarecrow by Michael Holmes, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest © photo 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

The crows are happily munching on popcorn. I wonder if the popcorn will bring in real crows, too - there are plenty in the neighborhood. Would they be intimidated by the ones they'd see here?

Crow by Michael Holmes, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest © photo 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

I love the simplicity and featheriness of the crow's newspaper wings. They flutter in a breeze.

Scarecrow by Michael Holmes, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest © photo 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

More crows enjoying their snacks. It's a nice harvest party....

Crow by Michael Holmes, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest © photo 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

This crow holds the scarecrow's number (for the competition). He's #13.

Pheasants by Michael Holmes, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest © photo 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

A couple of pheasants have joined the feast. They're made of feathers and natural materials.

Scarecrow by Michael Holmes, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest © photo 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

A last look at the tableau.... It really needs a name, don't you think? Scarecrow's Party? Friends' Feast? What name would you choose?

You can see more of Michael Holmes's design work (it's sumptuous and creative) at his website, www.michaelholmesdesigns.com.

Scarecrows as art - II

Scarecrow, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Here are yet more scarecrows from the Calistoga Scarecrow Contest at Indian Springs Resort and Spa, in Calistoga, California. This first, wine-loving fellow definitely isn't in Kansas anymore...

Scarecrow, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

... and he is generous with his wine, too. No scaring crows away here!

Scarecrow by Gina Cerda, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Gina Cerda's metal wino scarecrow looks a whole lot more forbidding. A good reminder to keep all things in moderation!

Scarecrows, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Then there is this couple, with a tub of grapes ready to stomp (and she looks fresh from the spa – is that a mud mask she's wearing? With cucumbers over her eyes?), who are "blown away by the Napa Valley." These really do make me grin. I love seeing what people come up with!

Scarecrow by Beverly Wilson and Carl Ciliax, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Keeping to a local theme, especially for the foodies among us, Beverly Wilson and Carl Ciliax created this very creative chef, whose recipes ought to scare off any self-respecting crow.

Scarecrow by Beverly Wilson and Carl Ciliax, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Crow's Nest Soup, Crab Crow-quettes, Crow-Quilles St. Jacques, and Blackbird Pie are on the Specials Menu. What's the matter – doesn't that crow read?

Scarecrow by Sharie Renault and Linda Wilds-Beltz, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Here's a Day of the Dead Frida Kahlo scarecrow, complete with paintbrush and palette, created by Sharie Renault and Linda Wilds-Beltz. She looks even more colorful than her palette!

Scarecrow, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Frida is accompanied by Señor Death, with his scythe. In spite of the smile, I wouldn't want to meet him on a dark night....

Indy Crow, by Connor Hitt, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Here is Indy Crow (notice the Indiana Jones-ish hat and whip?), created by the contest's youngest scarecrow maker, Connor Hitt, who is in third grade. Indy has a skull on the other side, too.

Connor Hitt and Indy Crow, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Great photo of Connor with Indy Crow, isn't it?

Scarecrow, by Bailey, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Bailey's bone-and-Spanish-moss-bedecked scarecrow is another one I wouldn't want to meet on a dark night....

Scarecrows, from the First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

And, last but not least, this family of man-and-woman symbols.... Two fellows who work at Indian Springs put these up, grinning, while I was working on my scarecrow last Tuesday. When I told one of them how much I enjoyed it, he said, "Aww... it's just random." Nyaaah... you can read all kinds of things into it....

The scarecrows will be up into November. The best way to see them is to stroll around the grounds at Indian Springs – you'll miss a lot if you only stay in your car.

Scarecrows as art - I

Scarecrow by Michael Holmes, The First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

The First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest brought out scarecrow makers from all over. Here are some of their scarecrows. This giant pumpkin-headed fellow, who so generously shares his bowl of popcorn with visiting crows, was created by Napa artist Michael Holmes.

Scarecrow by Yvonne Henry, The First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

What could be more disturbing than a crying baby? Now, that will surely scare the crows away. This crying baby was created by photographer and artist Yvonne Henry.

Scarecrow by Guy Pederson, The First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

This enormous crow was created by Guy Pederson. He's big enough to scare off all the little crows....

Scarecrow Straw Owl, The First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Here's a sweet little straw owl.

Scarecrow fashionista, The First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

This fashionista wears a dress made of green tea packets.

Scarecrow, The First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

This friendly, colorful pumpkin-headed fellow looks like he's getting ready for Mardi Gras!

Scarecrow, The First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

I so appreciated the creativity with which many of the artists used natural materials in their scarecrows, such as this one.

Scarecrow pirate, The First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Here's a pirate with his treasure chest (notice the parrot on his shoulder, too). I don't think I'd want to cross this guy....

Pique assiete scarecrow by Ann Shelby Valentine, The First Annual Calistoga Scarecrow Contest • photo © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Shelby Valentine, whose Napa River stele – created in pique assiette, a form of mosaic – is part of the Napa Artwalk, made this wonderfully whimsical pique assiette scarecrow.

I'll post more photos of more scarecrows soon. You can see the scarecrows for yourself at Indian Springs Resort and Spa in Calistoga into November.

The art of making a scarecrow - sculpting his head

Mr. Hospitality • © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Calistoga's current art event is the First Annual Scarecrow Contest at Indian Springs Resort and Spa. The variety and creativity that went into the scarecrows is something to behold! Here you can see a little of what went into the sculpting of the head of my scarecrow, Mr. Hospitality.

Mr. Hospitality, early stage • © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

The basic structure of his head depends on a water jug. I've cut off the bottom so that it will fit over the upright pole used for his scarecrow body. Over it I formed shapes of newspaper, masking tape, and duct tape. His head was actually lying down on a table here, but it's easier to see the image upright.

Mr. Hospitality, early stage • © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

I've begun to cover the armature (the sculpture's underlying structure) with a two-part epoxy clay that air-dries pretty much as hard as a rock. (I've got bits dried onto my fingernails, and can really testify to that.) It's called Magic Sculpt. This is the same clay used by all the artists who worked on the statues of Charlie Brown, Snoopy (as Joe Cool), Woodstock, and this year Lucy, in Peanuts on Parade, a tribute to the work of Charles M. Schulz. (I was honored to participate in it each of the first three years, working on one Charlie Brown, two Woodstocks, and two Joe Cools.)

Mr. Hospitality, later stage • © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

At this point, Mr. Hospitality is mostly painted. I am still working on his hair and eyebrows. I wanted him to be a genial, friendly, good-tempered fellow. He made me smile back at him, as I was working on him.

Mr. Hospitality, on site • © 2010 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Here you can see him, assembled, on site at Indian Springs in Calistoga, California. I had already put together the frame, with the help of Tom Atkins and my technical consultants at Silverado Ace Hardware (thanks, guys!), patched the pants, stuffed his legs and arms, and attached the flowers. Once I got on site, I attached his head, his hat, the crows, and the straw (thank you, Ellie Robinson, for the straw!).

I still have a couple of things to add. They'll be coming....