News from The Mask Shop
Spring-Summer 2009
Pam has had some interesting commissions recently... including "Alien" for Julia Snyder of The Tweaksters, a movement/dance production company... and a completely different superhero character called "The Inhibitor".
"Alien"
See more of the new "Alien" mask on the "Special Mask Designs" page.
"The Inhibitor"
Corporate mascot for the Halox Corporation, an industrial coatings manufacturer
For this client Pam created an entirely new mask based on their existing superhero design. She repaired and modified the helmet for better comfort, better fit, and ease of use, and refinished it using corporate-correct colors. Pam also created the set of pect-and-ab "muscles" that are worn beneath the costume. Pam created the belt buckle. Pam's good friend, Linda Lesher, designed and created the new costume based on the existing character. This included gloves and boots. This complete new outfit was debuted at the Euopean Coatings Convention in Berlin in March, 2009.
January 2009
The holidays are past and Pam is working on new projects. There is some exciting stuff in the works! Check back frequently for updates. It is a new year with new beginnings, new horizons, and renewed hope for all. Best of all, no more crutches.
November 2008
Pam is doing very well with her recovery and physical therapy. A single crutch is used only rarely now, and Pam is focusing on walking normally.
She is back at work part time in her shop, and feels better and stronger with each passing day. An order that has been "on hold" with a very patient and special customer is now being finished, and Pam has started work on several new orders, including two identical
"Beakman X" masks for a performing magician in Italy. And a couple of masks from our small
inventory have sold recently. This is all good. We are hoping that the economy improves soon.
Thanks to all who have been supportive through this difficult time. Please keep your messages of support and your new orders coming! Work is therapy!
October 2008
"Altered Egos"
Artchurch Gallery
Hot Springs, AR
Pam is very happy to have been invited to participate in this exhibition
featuring masks from 14 noted artists from all over the world.
October 2 through October 31
(extended through the months of November & December)
Artchurch Gallery
301 Whittington Ave.
Hot Springs, AR 71901
(501) 282-8343
August 2008
Continuing recovery, and getting back to work
Recovery is progressing well... slowly but surely. Pam has been cleared for 100% weight-bearing on the leg that had surgery to remove the "giant cell tumor". She does not use her leg brace at all now, and only uses the wheelchair on rare occasions outside the house and the workshop.
A wonderful friend has given Pam a very nice stationary exercise bike which she enjoys using. The prognosis for recovery is very good, and excercise helps rebuild her strength, stamina, and balance... although it's going to be a process that will be continuing. Pam is concentrating on recovery and also is beginning to get her shop reorganized after a many-month hiatus.
She is eager and anxious to get back to work.... so.... send her some orders!
June 2008
Recovery
Pam's knee is healing and she has begun physical therapy. The doctors have now allowed her 50% weight bearing on her right leg. The prognosis is good, but the recovery will take some time.
We are expecting that she will be able to get back to work in The Mask Shop in July or August, and so, happily, we have begun to accept orders for late summer early fall.
April 2008
Medical issues
As some of you may know, Pam has had some medical issues lately. She is recovering from a fairly major surgery in late March, which was necessary to remove a very large bone tumor from her right femur, just above the knee.
In addition to removing the tumor itself, it was necessary to rebuild a considerable amount of large bone that had been destroyed by the tumor... this included bone grafts, reinforcement with metal rods, and other procedures. Her mobility is fairly restricted as a result, and she is required to stay pretty much off her feet for many weeks/months to come.
And so, it is necessary for the mask shop to be closed for a while. Production will resume pending approval from her medical team.
But the good news is that the tumor was benign. The fear of cancer, which was very real early on, has passed, and with that knowledge has come relief for Pam and her family.
Thank you all for your support and concern during this time.
Click HERE to send an email... Pam would love to hear from you !