Leggings

In building the Leg I've discovered that there are a lot of forces that come into play for a simple stretch. I think my leg turned out pretty decent although in looking at these photos it has come to my attention that the Vastus Medius is a little small on my mannequin. Just looking at the twisted tangles of the hip adducters makes me want to stretch out with some hip openers. On that note I'm going to do some yoga.

Group of mannequins

It was noted to avoid drawing in muscle tendons as it distracts from the behavior of the muscles. Tools were discussed, from techniques on carving to how to get into gaps with a smooth finish. The bulk of muscle was brought up and it was determined to feel your own muscles and build from there. The length of tendons as well as their connecting points were compared as well as the lower longissimus thoracis . Eric has had to remove muscle mass in order to place form underneath and build off of. Cal's mannequin has a fashionable mustache. For the actual building of the muscles, either rolling in the hand or flattening of the muscle was found to be easiest.

Molding a Man

Image Description: The spinal Erectors stretch from the skull to the tail bone. The spinalis tendons reach up and down the spine holding the curve of the spine and providing a strong base for the larger twisting longismus muscles to wrap up into. The iliocostalis almost seems to be an extension of the longismus, layering and twisting out, reaching across the ribs, holding them into the spine. The quadratus lumborum pulls the hips and the rib cage together, putting less weight on the spine and giving the body more evenly spread connectors. The obliques and abdominals hold the front of the body and even the back. Being primary core muscles the abs and obliques in combination with the lumborum connect the front body to the back.

I am having fun molding a man out of clay. I believe this process will be extremely beneficial in understanding, seeing, feeling and drawing the human form. As I build muscle mass I imagine what I am doing in my own body. Applying the mirror neurons to the process helps build the form as well as understanding it better. I am very in touch with my own body through my yoga practice and understanding what all the muscles look like under the surface will be beneficial for my stretching as well. Actually seeing how the muscle's twist around the skeletal structure to fight gravity is really a beautiful design to be enjoyed.

Yo Dawg!

Yo Dawg, a local restaurant opening up, had posted fliers calling for muralists and taggers. With opportunity knocking, Franklun (Jake Olson), VIX (Alec Rudolf), and WE (me) answered the call. Zach Herling also donated some work and time. We were paid by being the official taste testers for the vendors, as well as one free meal a day for the rest of the year. My main piece is the one with the monkey sitting in the lotus on top of a cloud that is also cloned several times as sheep jumping over a wall. The wall fades off into recognizable Menomonie buildings which are the smoke stack, the tainter theater, the clock tower and walmart.