St. Patrick’s Day Project – 02 (Josh)

This is an ongoing annual project that I try to add more to every March. Check out my last POST on this. Sadly, all I have to show right now are just some rough pen sketches from my small sketch pad.
For this year I’ve included an addition to the stone chamber with the pot of gold. This room is round, and lined with Stonehenge-like arched pillars. Many vines and roots cover the room flowing out from the ceiling which is designed to look like the underside of a huge tree and its roots. This will hopefully suggest that the audience is standing beneath an enormous tree that was seen on top of the exterior of the attraction. After the magical event takes place (see last POST), the many roots and vines magically come to life. In the arch opposite of the entrance, the vines and roots collect together like fingers of snakes and form in the center a large face of the mysterious Green Man.The face come to life and welcomes (in an ominous manner) the guests to a magical realm of Celtic folklore.He then introduces the audience to various elements and creatures of Celtic folklore. As he does so, vines and roots part in various arches to reveal ancient relief images of the subject manner the Green Man speak of. Once his presentation is complete and all the arches (including the one the visitors entered through) display their images, the Green Man bids them to enter his realm. The plant work that formed his face parts to reveal an exit to the next part of the attraction (a motion simulator). Once the visitors leave, the vines close and the room resets itself for the next group.I drew these sketches of my version of Leprechauns (sadly I have not had time to color and render any of these drawings). Based on various descriptions of these little people, I learned that they burrow into the earth and that some have large pointy hats. So I decided to combine these two elements by giving them hats that can act as drills which they use by magically spinning fast so as to dig into the earth. Aside from red vests, I picture them with very earthy tones to match their forest environments.My Leprechauns also have bodies and digits resembling a frog’s. This is so they can jump fast and far, along with clinging onto trees.
Hopefully I can get more made on this.

Better Late Then Never (SPD-01)

Last year for St. Patrick's Day (SPD) I began an annual project which I shared with some friends. The following is the email I sent out:
3/17/06
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!
I thought I'd share with you guys something kinda unique for this day. Instead of celebrating the life of the man who brought the Gospel to Ireland, I did what any average Joe would do and designed a theme park attraction.
This attraction is not a St. Patrick Day theme, instead it is a tribute to Irish myth and folklore, but it is hosted by Leprechauns. I actually came up with the idea when I was a freshman in College, but I haven't drawn anything for it until now.
I apologize for how rough and crude these drawings are, I made most of them during my breaks at my job within the last day or so.
I have only scratched the surface of designing this attraction. After the "stone room" comes another section that transforms into a motion simulator, and there is even more after that! I might continue drawing all of this, or I may just wait till next year and make this an annual tradition.
Well, thank you for taking your time to read about my crazy ideas, and have a HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!
Back to Present Day: This year I was swamped with personal and professional matters that kept me from getting any more drawings done on time for SPD. About a week ago I got this drawing done during my morning break (I latter painted it in PS). It is my first attempt at designing a Leprechaun. I followed a few descriptions from various folk tales, such as the face and the red vest.Kenfied Trivia: Katie's mother tried to bribe her doctor to ensure a SPD birth, but was unsuccessful and Katie came two days later by way of emergency C-section. I guess mom does know best.