GRAND TOUR

2011 marked a huge year for me in both my professional and personal life, with some big changes, new beginnings and opportunities. I thought I'd take this post to get caught up on the biggest thing, my new house, which I've dubbed "Fort Monster". The house is a 3-bedroom, mid-century, 1-story, rectangle Ranch with a full basement. I didn't NEED 3 bedrooms, but since the kids are here 3 days a week, and they are opposite sexes, I wanted to avoid teen-year sibling drama.

This is my "remote" studio in my living room, it's an 1890 jeweler's bench...my first grownup piece of furniture. I figured that I've been a professional long enough to warrant this purchase.

"Black and White" collection in the built-in.

Living room, with Christmas tree...and Chloe. I refinished all of the hardwood floors on the main level. As rewarding as doing it yourself is...I NEVER WANT TO DO IT AGAIN.

Large skull collection leading down to the "Monster Dungeon Studio" in the basement.

Monster Dungeon Studio. This is the best part of the house by far. The studio is almost 850 square feet, with a bathroom and a bar. The ping-pong table that came with the house makes a super handy-yet-wabbly worktable.

My old tanker desk from my Dad's shop has given me years of reliable use. I do all of my sculpting and most of my painting here. Unless I'm doing something really large, I rarely use an easel anymore.

Dessicated cat's head.

Skull cabinet. This collection is ever-expanding. Most of the skulls were either found or given to me, I try not to buy them unless I find something really spectacular...like a juvenile ostrich, I couldn't pass that one up.

For a vegetarian, I sure do own a lot of dead animals...

This human spine unexpectedly came to me in the mail the other day, no really.

I wish I could say that I found this nest with a human molar in it, I can't...but YOU can.

Ah, the bar. What testosterone-fueled household would be complete without a full bar in the basement? Well, mine would be actually, considering how little I drink. It's pretty awesome nonetheless though. My pal Steve is endlessly jealous and says things like "it's not fair" and "this bar is totally wasted on you"...I like it when Steve gets mad, his mustache twitches.

Here I house one of every production figure that I've made to date. I'm missing the green Crumbeater and Bubblegut, but everything else is accounted for.

Yes, that IS a clear purple Freyja...and no, it's not for sale.

I have two shelves of Big Muscamoots, I think there are only a few people besides myself who have every one of them. I never thought in a million years that they would be so sought after.
Well, that concludes the tour of the inside. Maybe come springtime when the outdoors of Ohio don't look like dog poo, I'll give a tour of the exterior and grounds.