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Our NextFest Workshop

We were invited to Nextfest to do a workshop based on our mask designs. There was not a budget to work with leather, so it became an opportunity to use one of my other favourite materials, paper, to come up with something new. Part of the night, fittingly called Masks for Monster, also featured a performance that included our masks.

Tanner had a market, so I had Ashley, whom many of you have met at the booth or at another event, help me set up the workshop at the Paint Spot in Edmonton. For this workshop, I cut out well over a thousand pieces of paper, which was over an hour and a half of laser time. Well over the budget just in laser costs, but I really wanted everyone to make a mask they would be happy with. I also figured I could use any leftover components for upcoming photoshoots. Much of the supplies we used for the decorations came from my personal stock of crafting supplies, and it was nice to see it being put to creative use.

This is one of the original mask designs I did for the workshop and I also chose this mask for the promotional photoshoot I did for the event. The feathers are the same feathers featured on my "Seraphim's Belt." 

We set up a small display table with some of the items we created in leather and metal, as well as, some pictures from the shoots we do with our wearable items. The large wooden mask in the back was created by Borys Tarasenko.

Our pre cut out masks and the stencils I created for the workshop.

Some of the supplies I separated out into containers. I noticed the paper I used to cut out the attachments created interesting stencils so I brought a few along.

Table and chairs... We ran out of workspace very quickly and apologize to those that had to stand, sit on the floor and were unable to stay.

Some of the display paper masks I created for the event. 

Event photo of part of the class room. 

Some of the awesome masks created by the workshop attendees! 

Boris Tarasenko and his giant wooden mask behind him.

One of my favourite painted masks from the night.

I love the colours and complexity of this one! 

This one ended up having a historic feel.

 Some close ups of paper masks I created for the event 

After the workshop, we headed over to the Roxy Theatre, where we set up a smaller version of our mask working station for anyone who could not attend the workshop. The masked dance was scheduled for 11, and even though I am not an event photographer, I still wanted to capture a few shots of the choreographed dance.

I have an older full frame camera, so I used the highest ISO available, a shutter speed of 1/200 s, and a very low aperture since there was minimal ambient and performance lighting. I had only brought one lens with me, my 50 mm f 1.4 Sigma Art lens. There was some noise, which I cleaned up in Camera Raw and Photoshop, and I removed distractions that surrounded the dancers.

Cheorgraphed by Aimee Rushton   

Male Dancer: Jason Romero 

Female Dancer: Anastasia Maywood

Close up of the masks used for the dance 

Some of the dance photos with one creative edit of Jason Romero 

Updates and what's happening in March!

We are signed up for Western Canada Fashion Week on March 28. Doors open at 7 pm, with the show to follow at 8 pm at the TransAlta Arts Barn in Edmonton.

For this show, we are writing a short story inspired by several Celtic myths we love. Shortly before the show, we will share a summary of the story, and later this year the full story to go along with all the runway photos. We decided to do this instead of a traditional collection since many of our pieces are so different from each other. Each signature piece we make is usually based on a character we created or on a story that includes that character.

Recently, we were published in the January edition of Gilded Magazine out of California. This photoshoot was also based on a short story we wrote.

We were lucky enough to meet a kindred spirit who really understands the stories and inspiration behind our pieces. The photographer, Breanne Marie Photography, captured the storyline beautifully through her photos. She has been amazing to collaborate with and you can check out more of her beautiful work here.

We will do a full blog post with the story and all the photos from the shoot soon! But for now below is one that we love of model Jen Ferguson.

We are also very fortunate to have my sister, Ashley, as part of our team. We will be creating a line of complementary (to our items) stencils for airbrushing makeup by this summer!! 

You can check out Ash's other work on her website http://skrockimakeupartistry.weebly.com

*Ash with model Carra Pischke Photograph by Brenda Lakeman

We were also featured in a local print and digital magazine, T8N, with a photo essay. It includes never before seen shots of our studio, inspirations, quick drawings, and watercolour tests of various pieces we make. We asked one of our favourite models, Carra Pischke, to join us for the shoot.

The interview was done by the editor, Carmen, and the photo essay portion was done by Brenda Lakeman out of St. Albert. For anyone interested in seeing a bit of our studio and learning more about the makers behind these items, the March edition of T8N Magazine is available on their website. For those who live in Edmonton or St. Albert, the magazine is available at dozens of locations free of charge for pickup. A full list of locations can be found on their website.

Here is a link to the feature, with the full print version at the bottom.T8N March Issue

Lastly we recently changed the pricing on our website to US dollars to be included on social media like “Pinterest.” This now makes all our items pinable! For our Canadian customers this just means you will see the Canadian amount on your bill. If you want to purchase in Canadian dollars you can also do that through our Etsy shop! 

 Details to follow soon about other photoshoots and publications!!

Shoot in Gilded Magazine January 2016 Edition.

This shoot was based on a short story we wrote. It is only very roughly edited to show the context and the ideas behind the shoot. I included scene notes to further describe the items we used, as well as the thought process behind the shoot. The photographer was the fantastic Breanne Marie Photography. 

She was fully on board with the creative ideas we brought forward and added some of her own, helping to create a truly unique set of photos.

The models were, Carra Pischke, Jen Ferguson  and Randy Cusack. With Makeup by Ashley Skrocki Makeup Artistry and hair by Dani White. 

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On a cloudless night, the stars shone upon a forest through which no light could reach. Pathways once lush and inviting were consumed by branches, long and short, entwined like lovers against the twilight. Deep within the corridors of winding trees, dark secrets aching to be told were disclosed in clandestine meetings by the shadows that kept them. The tones, crisp against empty air, hung in anticipation of the drumbeat, calling to those who had yet to appear. The circle’s completion drew nearer and nearer as they amassed. Of blood and stone, that which must be given was presented in the face of the full moon. Those who assembled beneath its watchful eye gathered not for light, and though the stars shone, their light was lost amid the branches. Tonight, the moon would turn its back on this forest.

Not far from the gathering, a dusty path wound outward, stretching its worn fingers through the countryside and touching the hamlets where those unaware of these nefarious goings on blissfully unwound from the labours of the day. The merriest of all were undoubtedly the traveling companies who set up their temporary quarters along the weaving roadside. Their day had passed in hours of toil, hauling belongings, wares, and caravans onward to a destination only determined upon arrival. When they stopped to await the coming dawn, fires were built against the embers of a slow sinking sun. With cauldrons bubbling and fresh game roasting, it was song and bottle that beckoned most. But not all would find solace in such illusions, and one such young man sought his retreat in the moon’s mesmerizing face. With little hesitation, he set forth from the comforting nest of his encampment and the warm haze of friendship, security, and ale onto the dusty path.

Along the path he strolled. The air was crisp against his face, and the silence was unbroken save for the steady rhythm of his own footsteps. Lost in thought, he wandered on, unaware of the distance he had traveled, until a darkened wood consumed his view. The sound of a maiden’s laughter drew him from his reverie, and step by step he traveled ever deeper into the trees. A glimpse of her cloak, the flash of her hair like smoke against the dark, drew him closer still. Her slender hand reached from the shadows, one finger outstretched, and as though it were the night itself beckoning, enticed him onward. Each step revealed another fragment of her. A black filigree mask obscured her face, and an intricately detailed ivory cloak wrapped around her, weaving her into the shadows that held her.

The gold ring upon her finger captivated him, and as though caught in a trance, he was powerless. So bewitching was her gaze that he remained oblivious to the ring’s razor edge against his skin, or the body pinned tightly beneath the shroud just steps away. In her other hand, she carried a mask with a dark visage and great horns. Those who had gathered in secret remained hidden in the shadows, watching carefully as events unfolded. With a single drop of the young man’s blood upon the tip of her finger, the transformation began. A horned creature, enslaved to whatever commanded these dark woods, now stood where once an innocent man had been, its soulless gaze resting upon the risen goddess.

Beneath the shroud, the mouth lay agape, frozen in time like a marble sarcophagus in a forgotten mausoleum. Yet when that single drop of innocence was passed from her fingertip, a gasp was heard, like rustling leaves caught in the forest’s throat. Slowly, the body beneath the shroud stirred, as if reanimated from a state fit for the grave. She moved again. There in the forest, behind the back of the moon, where the starlight could not reach, stood a goddess of ancient will. At one side, her noble sacrifice was no more than a husk, and at the other, a body returned from death.

From every shadow appeared another set of horns, another set of black eyes watching, their numbers innumerable as they filled the night. Like a butterfly emerging from the hollows of the mortuary, the shroud slipped from her as she rose. In the eyes of the goddess, the gold of her adornments shimmered. At her feet lay a great horned mask, its empty gaze fixed upon the stars.

 The End

by Tanner and Amy 

The scene notes show roughly what items the models would be wearing, what the models might be doing. 

Scene one: shows model in cape with filigree mask and Swarovski crystal cuff. Raising one finger to beckon the traveller. Black mask. Large armour ring. The woman is wearing a large skirt. Cape is golden or ivory with black trim. 

Scene two: shows man and woman- no mask on the female model. She is tracing her finger with the ring down the front of he chest. Leaving a small drop of blood. He is holding the demon mask. He is wearing a cape with a large axe pendant.

(Various edits below) Breanne thoughts of smoke bombs, which worked amazingly with the sort of fairy tale shoot. I love the black and white version as well. This reminded me of a old fairy tale that would have been filmed in the 70s. The smoke from the bombs changed so rapidly, with the far right picture making it seem like the smoke is coming from the models hand. 

Scene three: shows the woman now in large mask/with large skull necklace with drop of blood on her finger holding it over to silhouette on the table.  No cape in this image. Cathedral cuffs.

A incredible image by Breanne Marie Photography with fantastic editing. 

Behind the scene shot with Tanner. This even makes it look more like some vintage film. On the right side you see the hair artist Dani White. 

You can see the model Randy transformed. I love the shots Breanne Marie Photography did of Randy. 

Totally surreal shot!!!! 

Picture 5: solo pic of woman. shows the woman from under the blanket wearing the larger Phaedra set (large statement axe set, cuffs, belt, earrings). Shorter stone bodice/corset. There is the mask by her feet. 

the blue smoke only adds to magic of the overall shoot. 

Alternative edit by Breanne Marie Photography. 

To see other photos done by Breanne Marie Photography please check out her website here.