CURRENT WORK:
The Little Mermaid
starring Columbus' own NINA WEST
from Ru Pauls Drag Race 2019!
presented by The Pleasure Guild, supporting Childrens Hospital.
I created the giant tentacle skirt for Ursula (dress by Marcia Hain)
lighted eels Flotsam and Jetsam, and all of the headdressed Under the Sea creatures!
*assisted by Gypsy Cat Studio's , Maggie Prouty
|
My website is under RE-CONSTRUCTION to show the variety of skill sets and experience that I have on a professional level. My Masters Degree is in Sculpture and Design, but I am known for children's theater costumes and props and also mascots and puppets, but I do so much more beyond cutsey things & children's theater! I am creating this new website with many galleries of pictures to reflect that.
Hello! I am TonyaMarie, artistic director, designer, artist and wearer of all hats, bells and glitter of Gypsy Cat Studios started Jan 2007! I am also a Mother of 2, Grandmother of 4, and a lifetime animal advocate. I am a freelance, multi-disciplinary, international, mixed media sculptress with work across the U.S.A as well as in Australia. I regularly work in both Ohio, my "landing spot" where my family are at, and San Francisco CA . I have the freedom to travel and work on site, so you could see me anywhere that sparks my interest! I make my living mostly as a costume designer, sculptress, and teacher but have many other areas of expertise. I also have an extensive background in the animal welfare and care world and am a lifetime animal advocate. I am a certified veterinary assistant and wildlife caregiver,and have worked hands on with cougars, tigers, bats, and have permanent exhibit work made specifically for the animal in San Francisco Zoo and Cincinnati Zoo. I give a % of my art proceeds every year to animal welfare charities of my choice. I have professional experience and skill sets in a wide variety of mediums and projects: sculpture, costume, mascots (I was head designer of a major mascot company for years), props for theater and circus arts, theater work, all things GIANT but lightweight, merchandising window displays, indoor/outdoor fabric sculpture. I also teach art, costume and props design to kids and teens in theater programs. I am available for freelance work anywhere in the world that sparks my interest so send me an email if you have a project, no matter where you are! *** I am generally booked 6 months to a year in advance with only small gaps for projects in between so contact me early! 2018 through April 2019 is mostly booked through at this time, only a few small time gaps. Contact me and we will talk over your project. I have mostly just sculpture photos uploaded so far. I love a design challenge! I am often the one called for things that are weird, giant but lightweight, hard to design, wearable, puppet, etc. that everyone else said "WHAT??? No, we cant make that" . Please feel free to look at what I have on here so far and please stop back in to see the finished site with galleries of photos of all of my work in sculpture, costume, fashion, makeup, airbrush makeup puppets, props, classes, commissioned oddities of all kinds from hybrid fox/child mannequins, 18 ft genie puppets and headdress, an 8 ft rhino puppet, wacky vaudeville inspired costumes, and bug puppets for James and the Giant Peach! ANIMAL WELFARE/CARE BACKGROUND: I am an absolute animal advocate and do not use animal skins, furs, feathers in my work. I was a veterinary assistant and wildlife animal caregiver for many years and still do volunteer work with both wildlife and the feral cat colony where I live. I love to combine my art and animal work to benefit the animals through funds from donations from sales and also educate the public on the animals and the issues we can resolve together. I hope to create some art inspired fundraisers for animals in the future. Gypsy Cat Studios donates to at least 5 animal organizations each year. I have permanent work at Cincinnati Zoo & San Francisco Zoo. I have an extensive experience in the animal care world: wildlife, domestic and exotics: in Wildlife rehab centers, zoos, and 9 years as a certified veterinary assistant. I have worked hands on with bats, cougars, tigers and more and I hope to use my art to help in the fight to stop species losing habitat, being hunted and becoming extinct due to ignorance or greed. Education is key and funds are needed. CURRENT WORKS BOOKED- IN PROGRESS The Little Mermaid Produced by Children's Hospital Pleasure Guild, Columbus, Ohio February 2019 Ursula is played by Columbus' famous drag queen, Nina West! I will be creating all of the wacky sea creature costumes and Ursula's spectacular skirt! Columbus Childrens Theater: The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever, the musical. Dec 2018 Snow Day(toddler show) Dec 2018 Pete the Cat . Jan 2019 Peter Pan . May 2019 Tuck Everlasting, 2019 Nutt N Bolt 2019 (toddler show) PAST:I had the pleasure of creating very unusual puppets for Jack n Phil Slayers of Giants Inc, at Columbus Children's Theatre's Park St. location! see a video of the puppets here! https://www.dropbox.com/s/kqkeypk7qefrsmw/Puppet%20Promo.mp4?dl=0 ~ Classes in Fabric sculpture with Powertex at 400 West Rich Street. WORKS/PROJECTS STILL COOKING or WAITING TO BE SQUEEZED INTO SCHEDULE: -Fine Art festivals 2019 with my mixed media sculptures -Art inspired fundraisers for specific animals or animals rescue organizations of my choice. -More Mixed Media Sculpture classes for adults at 400 West Rich Studios. -Fashion and accessories- male, female and androgynous. -Rentals: costume collections, individual costumes, mascots and props. -I bought 3 jointed mannequin children to make into animal/child hybrid figures! -Teaching online while travelling/or travel workshops! TonyaMarie GypsyCatStudios@sbcglobal.net 614-937-8685 cell text or call only, no voice mail set up. ***EMAIL IS BEST Facebook: Tonya Marie |
TonyaMarie~ Artistic Director/artist/owner of Gypsy Cat Studios
|