A hobby turned avocation for Shane Dison: the art of cosplay

Because he can only fit two characters in a car at a time, only two versions of cosplayer Shane Dison will likely show up at any particular convention. But which two? Southern GeekFest attendees will find out in Hattiesburg, MS on April 2 and 3.

He has built costumes for several of his favorites: a Star Trek: The Original Series Klingon; a Star Trek: The Next Generation Klingon; Loki; an original series Battlestar Galactica Cylon, a xenomorph from the Alien movies, Cyclops from The X-Men; and from the Star Wars saga, a Stormtrooper and Bobba Fett.

Just in case those aren’t enough, Dison’s currently projects include an Iron Man suit and a Borg from the Star Trek world. He’s been engaging in cosplay since he built his first costume at age seventeen. The cardboard creation inspired him to continue making them, with each one becoming more real, more complex.

In 1999 finished his first Klingon and wore it for about ten years before deciding to break out into other characters. He uses a variety of materials and techniques in his quest to make it better.

Dison’s avocation has led to two appearances on national TV, VH1’s Totally Obsessed in 2004 and a UPN science fiction series. He appeared as a Klingon for both. He’s been in several newspapers, and attended a couple of dozen cons. He uses his cosplay for good, doing a lot of charity work, such as blood drives as a Stormtrooper and he works with the 501st as a Stormtrooper and Boba Fett.

A computer-aided drafter, Dison designs buildings such as paper mills, refineries and compressor stations as his day-to-day job, but he comes home to dragons and imagination. His living room is entirely dragons, with his costume work going on in the bedrooms. His current works in progress are out and some of his helmets, but the majority of his pieces are in big plastic containers in the closet, both for protection of the costume and ease of transport to the next event.

“I’m just like everybody else that dresses up. I get invited to these things as a cosplay guest…I appreciate the opportunity. I’m not an actor, I just like to build costumes.” He roams events in costume or participates in panels, but usually is not tethered to a table.

A native of West Munroe, LA, his family and network of friends are still there and he has lived there all his life.

So far, he works primarily for his own use, although he has built pieces of stuff for other people, asking only the cost of materials. With every costume he makes, Dison tries to use a new technique, to learn a new method. At some point, he may start making them commercially for others, but for now, he’s just enjoying the creative challenges of making the costumes and fun of appearing in them.

 
Originally appeared 04/01/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/article/a-hobby-turned-avocation-for-cosplayer-shane-dison

Cartoonist Andy Childress creates worlds of fun with BubbaWorld Comix

“Justice League. Aquaman speaking,” were the words coming through the telephone headset as Mississippi cartoonist Andy Childress of BubbaWorld Comix answered his phone for this interview, setting the offbeat tone for the conversation. Scheduled to appear at Southern GeekFest in Hattiesburg MS April 2-3, Childress brings a whimsical approach to the world.

He says he has been a cartoonist all of his life “whether I knew it or not.”

“I started drawing when I was one. I got interested in the Sunday funnies when I was three. When I was six, I realized ‘there’s words that go with this.’” He had a lot of fun imitating his favorite comic strips and comic books. Somewhere in the ninth grade, he says he “accidentally” created his first character in art class.

“…I couldn’t think of anything to do for Easter, so I drew the Easter bunny.” His teacher told him it looked like a chicken in a floppy eared hat. “Don’t tell him. He thinks he’s the Easter bunny,” Childress replied and Herman the psychotic chicken was born. Herman turns thirty-two this year, an enduring tribute to young imagination.

Childress has created a comic line about Redneck Time Lords, which pokes loving fun at the Dr. Who mystique. Other series titles include “Mississippi Swamp Dragons” and “Going Batty.” His cartoons show up on his website, BubbaWorld Comix, and in two books (to date) available through Lulu.

Roscoe P. Kramer (left) and Andy Childress share pizza

He conducts interviews for YouTube with a big monster puppet, Roscoe P. Kramer, “…because who’s gonna say ‘No’ to a puppet?” As he visits conventions, he records the cheery sessions to advertise both his favorite characters and himself.

At Southern Geekfest, Childress will have original artwork for sale at his artist’s table, as well as his books. Visitors who already have his books can bring them for autographs and doodles. Roscoe will be there, too, enchanting visitors with his toothy smile.

In addition to his original artwork and convention appearances, Childress is available to draw caricatures for events. He also can work from photos by email for caricatures.

Originally appeared 03/24/206 at http://www.examiner.com/article/cartoonist-andy-childress-creates-worlds-of-fun-with-bubbaworld-comix

Art exhibits to enjoy during your visit to Mardi Gras

Although visitors come to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, there’s a lot more to the Crescent City than parades and partying. Take time to enjoy the museums and free venues for art around town for a delightful change of pace. Beyond the art galleries in the French Quarter, visitor can find many artistic treasures in the city. Check venue hours during the hectic days of the Carnival season to avoid disappointment. Here are a few to get you started.

Jackson Square

The artists surrounding Jackson Square present a colorful introduction to the New Orleans art scene. The eclectic genres available assure something for everyone. Browse along fence to see the work of up to two hundred artists, operating on licenses granted by the city. Looking is free, and visitors might find the perfect piece to purchase as a souvenir of the visit.

Woldenberg Park

Across Decatur Street from the square, climb the steps to the Riverwalk and turn right along the path to visit another free venue, Woldenberg Park, sixteen acres of green space and art leading toward Canal Street. The park operates under the auspices of the Audubon Foundation which also operates the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, among other attractions. Sculptures and mobiles dot the park, giving art lovers an open-air viewing experience along the bank of the Mississippi River. Watch river traffic glide by for a glimpse of reality art in motion.

Dutch Alley

Tucked away behind the buildings lining Decatur Street at Dumaine, a circular fountain hosts a band in silhouette. The characters captured there welcome visitors to Dutch Alley, a combination of open-air art exhibit and art gallery. Step into the alley and meet Jacques the Butcher by Eric Kaposta, who greets visitors entering the Alley.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Go beyond the boundaries of the French Quarter and into the Warehouse District to enjoy art created by a wide spectrum of southern artists. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art boasts multiple floors of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography and installation art. The reasonable admission fee coupled with the variety of artists makes the O an excellent destination for any art lover. The Confederate Museum next door will interest history buffs.

Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans

Stroll across the street from the Ogden Museum to reach the Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans and another reason to love the Camp Street museum corridor. Park once for access to both art centers, plus the National World War II Museum.

New Orleans Museum of Art and Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Venture out of the French Quarter and Central Business District for a visit to a New Orleans legacy, the New Orleans Museum of Art. Although the traditional museum facility requires an admission fee, the stunning open air Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA does not. More than sixty sculptures dot the peaceful garden, including the iconic Hercules the Archer which stood at the main entrance to the museum for decades.

Originally appeared on 02/24/14 at http://www.examiner.com/article/art-exhibits-to-enjoy-during-your-visit-to-mardi-gras

Model maker T.F. Monti's hobby becomes Gulf Coast museum

Following Hurricane Katrina, longtime model maker Thomas Francis “T.F.” Monti experienced up to three feet of water in his house. His family helped him to rescue his many models and move them to a storage shed while the house was rebuilt. Then Mrs. Monti put her foot down. Those models weren’t coming back into the house.

A labor of love

So youngest son Joe and his wife decided to use a building they owned to give T.F. the museum he had always wanted. They built shelves throughout the structure. On a Saturday afternoon, they moved about 50 models into the building. On Sunday, they invited him over to see their “new office.”

“He cried,” remembers Joe. “It took about three months to bring the rest of them in and he was with us the whole time. He was the curator.” T.F. served as curator for about six months until his death in September of 2009.

Their labor of love, which showcases T.F.’s lifetime of work, operates as a free museum on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. Containing over 4000 models, the Monti family carries on T.F.’s legacy and shares the stories of what he built.

The exhibit includes the desk at which Monti built his models and where he repaired any damage that occurred as they were moved into the museum. The model he was working on sits on the desk as he left it.

Many of the models still show evidence of mud from Hurricane Katrina. Early efforts to clean them resulted in damage to the fragile pieces, so the family decided to leave the stains as part of the history of the collection.

A broad spectrum of models

In the entry area, visitors can view several items relating to Monti’s work as an engineer with the electric company. A model of his last pickup truck sits proudly on the shelf with models of some of the equipment he used. The backdrop for the model is a photo of Monti at the museum. Today in Mississippi, the Coast Electric newsletter, covered the museum in its July 2009 edition and a framed copy of the article hangs in the museum.

One room focuses on aircraft. Models represent the air forces of nations from around the world and throughout aviation history. Biplanes share space with jets and helicopters.

Another room features automotive models, classics and funny cars, sports numbers and work vehicles. Maritime models fill yet another area. Military rolling stock and equipment covers shelves in several small rooms. The space age gets its own room, as well.

Several dioramas take positions among the stand-alone models. The miniatures in the scenes depict fleets and camps, bringing the models into a relational focus.

Monti not only put together kits. He used the extra bits and pieces from those kits to create additional models and interpretive pieces for them.

Visitor information

Visitors come from the Gulf Coast, all over the United States and around the world. Veterans come to reminisce over the equipment they used in battle. Seniors come to remember how cars looked in their younger years. Children can see history and fantasy in one place.

“War & Peace: The T.F. Monti Private Model Collection” offers an inexpensive afternoon’s entertainment. The museum, located at 117B Highway 90 in Waveland, opens most weekday afternoons between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., as well as by appointment. Since the family runs the museum without hired staff, call ahead to make sure someone is available (228-216-7409).

Originally appeared on 08/6/2013 at http://www.examiner.com/article/model-maker-t-f-monti-s-hobby-becomes-gulf-coast-museum

Bottle bush, bottle tree: Southern yard art with glass

Across the South, a form of yard art exists that can be simple or intricate, puzzling or straightforward. The bottle bush or bottle tree combines empty bottles and metal spikes to create colorful sculptures that can enhance a yard and start many conversations. Don't confuse this delight with a bottle brush plant, an actual botanical entity whose flowers resemble it's namesake.

While the roots of the art form are open to debate, the artists are content to simply enjoy. Author Felder Rushing has tracked down many of the explanations for bottle trees and recounts them in his book “Bottle trees…and other whimsical glass art for the garden.” He discusses the European and African stories behind the sculptures.

Jan Breaux, co-owner of GardenSpot Nursery at 770 Robert Boulevard in Slidell, Louisiana, reminds patrons that the bottles are believed to capture evil spirits and prevent them from entering the home. Her shop features a giant bottle tree as installation art, along with smaller versions that can be put in flower pots or the ground. Her staff can customize bottle trees according to the purchasers design.

A bottle tree can be a way of salvaging the dead trunk and branches of a tree. The addition of metal spikes can help to fill in any gaps. Others consist of rebar welded into intricate graceful shapes and adorned with colorful bottles. Some resemble trees, some look like beautiful bushes, while some appear as part of gateways or other parts of the landscape plan.

The gardener need not empty the bottles himself; Breaux and other vendors sell colorful bottles to meet the designer’ s needs. Other gardeners may use the bottle tree as a way of collecting bottles from memorable events. Some go with a monochromatic theme while others preferred the eclectic look of whatever bottles they have on hand.

Bottle trees save a large number of bottles from landfills and dumps while creating an artistic statement that can provide amazement, laughter and delight from the imaginative use of discarded glass. Whether you have one, want one or simply enjoy the beauty of colored glass, bottle trees are worth considering as a unique art form.

Originally published 6/20/13 at http://www.examiner.com/article/bottle-bush-bottle-tree-southern-yard-art-with-glass