I’m wondering if cardboard from shipping boxes could be used to replace the styrofoam (which was likely easier for fourth graders to manipulate). Always searching out ways to utilize packing materials. Really enjoyed this post, I had a similar encounter with a lizard this past week.
You could totally try it! I bet the texture would be great. I've seen some people use the cardboard from juice boxes and cereal boxes, carving into them with a stylus, to delightful effect.
This is wonderful. A beautiful little book! Whenever I'm overwhelmed, I ask, "How can I make the task smaller?" The actor Ian McKellen tells the story of another actor approaching John Gielgud for advice on how to play King Lear. Gielgud replied, "Get a small Cordelia." That's my private shorthand for keep it simple (so I can make it to Act V).
Love it. I’ve heard Rick Rubin tells his blocked songwriters to go home and write the first word to their next song. They often come back with finished songs. When we give ourselves tiny goals it’s so much easier to exceed them. It goes to show that starting is actually the hard part.
Yes. Because there’s often terror about starting. William Gass said: “Twin terrors: Writing. Not writing.” Anyway, this was a beautiful post. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Thanks so much Sara. I hadn’t heard of the twin terrors before, though I know them well! I find the pain of not working is always worse than the pain of working. Even if the work stinks at least something is happening.
Hey Erik! This is so fun, love to see this process. I feel like you probably already know of Austin Kleon, but if not his website, newsletter and books are great -- he's a big fan of diaries and Brian Eno, too.
Oh yes. I have all of Austin Kleon’s books and am eagerly awaiting his newest “Don’t Call It Art” but somehow I missed that he was a fan of diaries and Eno!
What a treat to come upon this little piece of joy. Lifted my spirits right up off the planet!
I love to hear that, Karen. Thank you.
I’m wondering if cardboard from shipping boxes could be used to replace the styrofoam (which was likely easier for fourth graders to manipulate). Always searching out ways to utilize packing materials. Really enjoyed this post, I had a similar encounter with a lizard this past week.
You could totally try it! I bet the texture would be great. I've seen some people use the cardboard from juice boxes and cereal boxes, carving into them with a stylus, to delightful effect.
Like those ideas!
Erik! I used to enjoy your posts on the 'gram, but I'm so glad to have found you over here! This post was an absolute treat :)
i’m jealous 😍
This is the most delightful thing I've seen on Substack. The film, the stories, all of it! Thank you.
Wow! Thank you, Marc. That means a lot.
I'm going to share your work/process with my 9 year old grandson Nolan. He is exploring making films. He loves animals. Thank you. Pam
Loved this video!
Love this! What are some alternatives to styrofoam for simple printing?
Foam paper works if you use it with a stamp pad. I may do a post on this in the future.
Delightful!!
Thank you for sharing the story and the process. ☺️🕷️🕸️
Great work!
But, how do you go about to put together the animation of the spider lunging ant stretching the legs up??
Yes, I'm curious about that, too!
I drew the animation on the iPad then printed out the image sequence on paper and traced it into the styrofoam and printed it.
I feel so inspired by your posts! Thanks for sharing them :)
Such a beautiful way to express your talent and art! Thank you!
So light and scrumptious, the little book and little stories were, by far, the best part of my day. I plan to revisit them tomorrow.
Thank you, Karen. ❤️
What a clever way to do a wood block style print! This is super cool.
This is wonderful. A beautiful little book! Whenever I'm overwhelmed, I ask, "How can I make the task smaller?" The actor Ian McKellen tells the story of another actor approaching John Gielgud for advice on how to play King Lear. Gielgud replied, "Get a small Cordelia." That's my private shorthand for keep it simple (so I can make it to Act V).
Love it. I’ve heard Rick Rubin tells his blocked songwriters to go home and write the first word to their next song. They often come back with finished songs. When we give ourselves tiny goals it’s so much easier to exceed them. It goes to show that starting is actually the hard part.
Yes. Because there’s often terror about starting. William Gass said: “Twin terrors: Writing. Not writing.” Anyway, this was a beautiful post. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Thanks so much Sara. I hadn’t heard of the twin terrors before, though I know them well! I find the pain of not working is always worse than the pain of working. Even if the work stinks at least something is happening.
Hey Erik! This is so fun, love to see this process. I feel like you probably already know of Austin Kleon, but if not his website, newsletter and books are great -- he's a big fan of diaries and Brian Eno, too.
Oh yes. I have all of Austin Kleon’s books and am eagerly awaiting his newest “Don’t Call It Art” but somehow I missed that he was a fan of diaries and Eno!