Most Gifted Wrapper Finalist

As a finalist in the annual Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest I'll be competing this Friday, November 30 at Celcius in Bryant Park.  Can't wait; this should be fun!

The White Doe

http://newsblaze.com/story/20120729134720jnyc.nb/topstory.html

Photo by Helena Krejci. 

This is my latest show with the Czechoslovak-American Mrionette Theatre.  It's loads of fun and very silly.  Please follow link for more information.                

Button Hinged Shrinky Dink Shadow Puppet

Two of my favorite things: Shrinky Dinks and buttons.

Travels: Pakistan

In November of 2000 I traveled to Lahore Pakistan with the Czechoslovak American Marionette Theatre to perform in a festival of puppet theatre. It was an amazing trip to say the least. Having visited the newly re-opened Islamic galleries at the Metropolitan Museum yesterday and in light of what is happening in that part of the world, I'm reminded of a remarkable place and what a rare opportunity this was.

This poor creature must have been tired after hauling our several trunks of puppets and various scenery to the theatre for load-in.
In this picture: Stefano Zazzera and Roland Duprey.

Lunch and dinner -- some of the finest meals I've ever had -- were served in this giant tent generally followed by table top puppet performances, music and dancing.

Burmese Puppeteer with his cast of characters.

Favorite mode of transportation. I'm standing on top with Theresa Linnihan.

Old City mosque.

Blur of crowd in Old City market.

Gathering at the Pakistan border with India for the changing of the guard.

A group of school children.

Sunday Stroll

I so love this stone rabbit, sitting patient and pretty in a wheel barrow in a particularly beautiful downtown community garden.

Herky Bird

The Herky Bird is the mascot for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. I created this mask for my Cousin Melissa's wedding in Iowa at the request of her mother, Michelle. Herky was a surprise guest at the wedding and clearly had a wonderful time. Cousin Michelle made the wonderful costume. Congratulations, Melissa and Jacy!

From: Sheep Musing in the Valley of Sleeping Dogs

Sleepy Dog Puppet

Mr. M.: Costume Design

Mr. M.: Ronnie Wasserstrom

Costume images from the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre production of Mr. M. performed at Theatre for the New City.

The Butcher: Steven Ryan

Mrs Cizcova: Deborah Beshaw

SS Officer: Vit Horejs

Chickie: Theresa Linnihan

St. Ann's Puppet Lab: Sheep Musing in the Valley of Sleeping Dogs

Photos by Richard Termine

Images from my piece in the Lab at St. Ann's Warehouse.

Santa Monica Pier at Sunset

On a recent trip to California, a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway with my friend, Paul, led us, by some incredible magic, to the Santa Monica Pier right at dusk; my favorite time of day. In a perfect world, every moment would be filled with pink and blue neon ferris wheels and roller coasters, basking in the perfect glow of sunset.

Tulip Forest Tales: Puppet Portraits

Princess Spring Blossom

I recently shot a series of portraits of these Tulip Forest Tales hand puppets for my new portfolio page: behance.net/michellebeshaw. Delightful and fun storytellers, these critters evolved over years and there are likely more to come.

Lady

Bow Wow

Mr. Rabbit

Mr. Fox

Sheep

Home

Portrait by William Eldred

Portrait of me, by William Eldred. One of my favorite things.

Puppet Bouquet

Tulip forest hit the big time as part of the decorations for La MaMa's benefit last week. More pictures to come.

Photograph by Deborah Beshaw

Eeeeek.

Photo by Kate Norberg

Paper Mask

Photograph by Kate Norberg

Ontological Sheep Musing

On exhibit in: Synapse, a group show curated by Tony Troncale. Through the 16th of September at 220 Gallery, 220 W. 16th street.

Coney Island at Dusk

Something about the quality of the light makes dusk the perfect time of day for just about anything. My evening at Coney Island was pure magic under a glowing, gloaming sky with lights sparkling, the sound of the ocean and a Nathan's hot dog.

From the homefront: Exhibition Event/Invitation

Synapse: A group exhibition curated by Anthony Troncale, featuring: Michelle Beshaw, Bill Eldred Jr., Josh Gura, Fred Hatt, Dan Leo, Yuri Lev, Marilyn McLaren, Eric Olson, David Schafer, Anthony Troncale. At the 220 Gallery, 220 W. 16th Street, Sept 2-16.

From The Tulip Forest Tales

The Tulip Forest Tales chronicle the Spring time adventures and goings on in Tulip Forest, where once a year all forest critters gather for the Festival of Springaling, where Princess Spring Blossom officially rings the bells of Spring.

Mrs. Moo Cow recites her ode to Spring. Mrs. Moo Cow: Oh Springalingalingaling; We await your sweet, melodious ringaling; The seedlings and tulip trees do sing; The brooks, they are ababbling; For gladness that you bringaling; Oh Springalingalingaling.

Because goats are nice to have around and kind of magical.

From Princess Spring Blossom's Wishing Star Wish: She consulted wise, old Mrs. Raven in her wishing willow tree, who gave her a map to the Celestial Mountains and carefulous instructioning that should she find herself lost, she should follow the sheep, who always knows the way, and beware the valley of the sleeping dogs, lest she wake them. For they should surely howl and the moon would most assuredly rise before she'd had time to hop aboard. All of this she did as she was told most respectfulously.

A middle of the night dreamy dream had enchanted her forthward to fulfill a most curious and unlikely dreamy dream wish; to ring the bells of Spring from high atop the moon.