By Samantha Danson
Whether creating her own sculpts, fashioning miniature armor, or weaving intricate buckles from wire, Susan Hook from My Immortal's true gift is to make her incredible work look effortless. Today we
hear how she envisions her newest character.
How many shows have you been involved with?
Since Laurie Leigh invited me to become an admin and webmaster, I was involved from the start so, including the latest project, it would be
all 5.
How long does a TRS project generally take for you?
When not tearing my hair out trying to figure out a new way to create
something I've never done before, I would say it takes a full month of
days (that's 31, not 30!) or more to get it where I want it.
What's the hardest/best thing about participating?
LOL! Herding the cats who are our members! Seriously, finding the time
to put the heart and soul I want to infuse into the creation, since I
have a full time job as well. I love working and sharing with all of the tremendously creative members
of this amazing group. We have all grown and are the better for it!
What's your personal favorite TRS achievement?
The armor for the GoT Jamie Lannister was a trial but fun once I
figured out how I was going to do it.
What's the most expensive element you've incorporated?
I guess it would be reproducing my original head sculpt of Luke
Skywalker in resin. It's a very time consuming project creating a
silicone mold, then making numerous attempts at a good reproduction
with no air bubbles in the resin.
What excites you most about this show?
It's the idea that anything goes really with these new, made up
characters! It's also the hardest thing too because when left to our
own devices most artists think and rethink themselves to death on how
to choose and begin!
Why did you pick your character?
It always bothers me about the damsel in distress image of the older
fairytale characters. I know it was the reality in the times they were
written but they always have to be saved by that generic "Charming". I
want her to stand on her own by arriving at a different ending to the
same old story.
How did you decide your mash up?
Pretty much the same reason as above. A strong woman's time has come
and if hard times make you stronger, I can see her being victorious!
What will be your greatest challenge in creating her?
Trying to make her look like the warrior I envision. She has to be
brilliantly beautiful, though rough around the edges, and draw from
the characteristics of her inspiration character but in no way wind up
being a typical "princess". It's going to be interesting to try to
pull it off!
If there's anyone who can do it, it's you, Susan. *bows while saying
"We're not worthy!!*
