Back on the job

I’ve been quiet for the past few days because I’ve been completing an assignment for a Diploma in Botanical Painting that I am taking by distance learning with the Society of Botanical Artists. Now that my painting is finished, I my mind has turned to preparing for the Scarecrow Workshop that I’m running up at All Saints’ Church on the afternoon of Saturday 18^th May.

I’m planning to show a variety of scarecrow armatures from a very simple cross shape to the soft-bodied version I make from foam pipe insulation. I’ll be offering a simplified version of this armature at the workshop.

Scarecrow heads can be made from a variety of materials including:

·      Hessian or burlap sack

·      Cotton or calico bag, or an old cotton pillowcase

·      Football

·      Plant pot or plastic tub

·      Styrofoam or Oasis sphere

·      Pumpkin (in season)

Scarecrow faces can be:

·      Painted onto the head

·      Buttons sewn on

·      Mask

·      Felt offcuts, glued or sewn on

Hair can be made from:

·      Wool or similar yarn

·      Raffia

·      Straw/hay

·      Doll hair

The hair can either be sewn onto the head bag or glued/sewn onto the scarecrow’s hat.

The scarecrow’s body parts can be stuffed with:

·      Newspaper, enclosed in plastic bags to waterproof

·      Straw/hay (traditional, but prickly and messy)

·      Fibre fill (expensive, best for mini scarecrows)

·      Shredded old cloths and other textiles

             Legs can even be made by stuffing an old pair of tights.

Hands can be made from:

·      Old gloves or mittens, stuffed with paper or fabric

·      Straw /hay poking out at the cuffs of his/her jumper or shirt

·      Unusual cooking utensils or gardening tools, like an old fork and trowel

·      Raffia

Feet can be made from:

·      Old shoes, boots or wellingtons. Wellingtons filled with sand or cement make a heavy, solid base for a freestanding ‘crow’

·      Straw/ hay

·      Old socks, the brighter and gaudier the better!

·      Raffia

Given all of these possibilities, it is not hard to make a unique scarecrow that reflects one’s personal tastes: and that is before the ‘crow’ is ‘dressed’ in a costume.