More BIG heads!!

Una, Finn McCool and Benandonner.

The Scottish giant begging for his life. Photo taken by National Trust.

These big heads were made at the Beat Carnival last year for the Giant's Causeway visitor centre.  I made Finn McCool, his wife Una.  Stephen Bamford made Benandonner, the Scottish Giant.  Legend has it
Finn McCool and the Scot's feud and stone throwing formed the Giant's Causeway!

I had great fun making Finn and Una! Referring to stills from a promotional video the faces finally took shape. The character heads have to be durable as well comfortable for the performer to wear so lots of things need to be taken into consideration in the design and making process.  The costumes really finish the character and it was great to see them at the causeway in the proper setting for the story.

BIG heads!

Three world famous Northern Irish golfers Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy warming up before St. Patrick's Day parade in Belfast, 2012. 



Rory and I hanging out before setting off for a walk through the city.

Photographs taken by Christine Boyle.

Photograph from Belfast Telegraph .

Caricatures of the three world famous Northern Irish golfers Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy.

These are a few images of the big heads made at the Beat Initiative!  I made Rory McIlroy and my very talented friend Stephen Bamford made Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell. The golfers made their debut at the St. Patrick's day parade in Belfast last year!

I had great fun making Rory's head!  At first it was quite daunting to try to make something from a block of polystyrene look like a well known figure!  Getting the likeness was a challenge and it's easy to go too far however it was rewarding to hear people shout his name as they recognised him in the parade!!

The Beat Initiative is a training, education and production company.  It creates carnival parades and large-scale performances and brings music, dance, performance, colour and celebration!  It does wonderful work with different groups in the community and brings people together through learning and creativity.  The Beat has given me the opportunity to develop my skills, working with new materials and making things on a grand scale!  Plus it's great craic (fun!) !