July 2, 2007

I took pictures of this sock bear at different stages of it’s creation and put together a picture tutorial of sorts. You can find it in my portfolio section.

These are some of the things I use to create sock creatures. It’s pretty much just socks, upholstery thread, and stuffing.

To start, I use an old sweat sock to build a shape. I might sew several shapes together to achieve the overall form that I want. This is rough, quick work because it will all be covered up later. I then take another sock and begin “skinning” color onto the shape, (as I have done with the black sock in the second picture).

I want this to be a roaring sock bear, so I create the top and bottom parts of the mouth first.

The black sock I sewed onto my shape earlier will be the area that I sew the mouth onto.

I add sides to the mouth and a bit more bulk to the bottom lip and chin.

Now I build another shape and add it to the bottom for a… well… bottom.

Now it’s time to “skin” the bear. I will use the inside of these brown socks because they have such great texture.

I add the ears, sew on some buttons for eyes, and add a heavy brow for personality.

All that is missing from this roaring bear is the legs and tail, so I make those.

I sew on the legs and tail and the bear is complete.

A finished, scary, roaring, mutant sock bear.
The Comments
Don Jones
Great interview Dennis. I especially liked the part of “taking someone down with you”.
bernardfromtheyard
Dennis, Another piece of the Dennis life and genius revealed! I like Mort’s work and everybody loves Jack Davis…but your stuff is like those guys on steriods. Ah, er the above was meant to be a compliment?
Dennis Jones
…hey, I’d take that as a compliment even if it were meant as an insult…
Don Jones
Dennis, are you juicin’ now days?
Dennis Jones
…I do enjoy a frosty cold glass of O.J. occasionally…
Don Jones
I pick-up a container of the GROVESTAND variety of O.J. The pulp was so thick I thought I was gonna have to spoon it out. Janson gagged on it.
bernardfromtheyard
Hey, I hope you guys are not kidding because I’m writing all this down…and old expiring artist like myself can’t afford to pick up and go to missouri state to learn how to paint like Dennis so I figger I mize well do the juice. Now do I drink all of this out of a Gourd?
Roballoo!
Awsome Samuri Bear! I really think you nailed this one.
Mark Behm
I find this guy particularly cool! Love all the little details.
bretelle
hello! i’m french i live in Paris.. i love your style! You’re great very good! thank for your art! scuse my english
Doug Jones
I saw the original art on this piece. Dennis came down to visit some clients and this was something he brought with him. I was surprised by the size of it. It’s big! oh… and I DO think the O.J. is the secret…
roballoo
How big is big? All I see is a measly 380×216 pixels. It must be really impressive in person. in the tradition of Howard Pyle/N.C. Wyeth is this the beginning if a grand adventure book? The adventures of a grizzled O.J. drinkin’ samurai clad warrior bear could be the next big thing.
Dennis Jones
…now you have me going again, RobalLOO… if you could just flesh out that orange juice drinkin’, samurai warrior bear story a bit I would be all over doing that…
crickett
chirp… chirp… chirp…