ioianthe's Profile

Bio

Everyone asks me the same question: How did you end up making masks?

let me tell you:

I have a strong background in theater, and ended up spending a lot of time in my late teens and early twenties working building props, masks, puppets, and scenery pieces for a local children's theater. This experience lead me to constantly bigger and better projects- I've made a bison head with five foot long horns, giant bugs and an elephant the size of a pony... and as much as I loved the larger more out there work, my favorite has always been masks.

In 2007, I got married and my husband and I had a masquerade wedding. When buying our masks, I was awed by the work that was available out there- from the elegant fantasy work in leather to the traditional papier mache masks of the Venetian masters. It was then that I decided that was the permanent direction I wanted to take my art.

I started making my own papier mache masks with a decidedly muppet-esque flair, I made several pieces which were great fun. Then, I was contacted by a poi spinner who needed a mask with some very odd specifications, the biggest one being that he needed it to be fireproof.

I had always wanted an excuse to try working with molded leather, so I was excited for the opportunity to try it, and once I put my hands to the leather I knew for sure I had found my medium...

The rest, my friends, is history.

You can also find me on Livejournal (http://ioianthe.livejournal.com) for more information on my mask making process, and to view works in progress.

Female, Born on December 19

Favorite Materials

Leather, Papier Mache, Faux Fur, Cardboard, Craft Foam, Natural Fiber Yarns