Wednesday, April 29, 2009

My Education and Experience

I was trained in sculpture from the master of movie make-up, Dick Smith. I have learned many things from other sculptors and technicians I've worked with in the field of make-up and puppetry for film and TV.
As for painting, my mother-in-law Janet Church was instrumental in teaching me the 'tools' of art (elipse concept, cube concept, proportion, direction lines, composition, color, form, etc). Janet learned these principles from children's book writer/illustrator, oil painter, teacher Taro Yashima. My wife Holly is also a skilled teacher and painter, carrying on Taro's and her mother's 'method'. This method can be utilized in drawing, painting, and even sculpture.
I am fortunate in having a supportive and understanding family. Over two decades ago, my parents allowed me to hone my craft (taking Dick Smith's Advanced Professional Make-up Course while living at home), converting my bedroom into a studio.
Since receiving Smith's Professional Caliber Certificate, I have been a prosthetic make-up sculptor and designer for films and TV. Some of my credits include 'The Nutty Professor', 'Terminator 2', '300', 'Frost/Nixon', 'Angels and Demons', 'The Mask of Zorro', 'Gremlins 2', 'Charlie Wilson's War', and sculpting the head of the animatronic Christ used on the cross in 'Passion of the Christ'.
I received an Emmy nomination for Best Make-up for 'Babylon 5'. Additionally, my make-up sculptures won Emmys, three years in a row; one for 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', and two for 'The x-Files'.
I like creating personal art (aside from film work) for fun, discovery, and sharing my excitement of the subject I've created. I am a Sculptor Member of the California Art Club, and enjoy being a part of their Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibitions. At this year's Gold Medal show, I am thrilled to have received Artist Advocate magazine's Certificate of Excellence for Most Outstanding Sculpture (The Gymnast).
I'm driven by inspiring others through my art, as I am inspired by creative people.
One day a week, I teach a sculpture class in the digital media department at Otis College of Art and Design. The aim of the class is to help students understand forms while sculpting in clay, so they may convey that experience toward purely digital creations. Teaching is an insightful and enlightening experience for me.
Thank you to those reading all this, who have shaped my life, becoming my friends and colleagues in the world of art.

2 comments:

  1. Glen,
    Hi my name is Fernanda A, I have recently graduated from makeup school in Burbank ca. My love for this sculpting has grown over the past few months and I have been contemplating taking the dick smith advanced course for a couple months now. I was so inspired by this post, and researched your work and I just want to tell you how fascinated I am with what you have done. I am also in the process of transforming my garage into my own studio as I am living back home now, I am not going to lie, initially thought that maybe that wasn't the best idea, but now I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog, because it made understand that you can make you art anywhere. My dream is to work as a sculptor. and now I am definitely sending my photos to the dick smith people to start on the advanced course. Anyway I just wanted to thank you for being such an inspiration!

    Best Wishes

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  2. It makes me happy to know that I have influenced people to do their art and live a happy life. Dick Smith influenced me and many others, so the snowball rolls on. Thank you Fernanda.

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