A Native American Mask made with Proxxon Tools and Plaid Paints

Today I want you to take a look at the Native American Mask that I made out of a gourd using my Proxxon Tools. My Proxxon Tools make it so much easier to complete my gourd projects, and the Plaid Paints that I use make such a difference in how vibrant the projects turn out.

The Supplies Used in this Project:

Proxxon Jig Saw
Proxxon Delta Sander
Proxxon Rotary Tool
Shadow Box
Assorted Plaid Paints
Porcupine Quills
Sinew
Feathers
Embossing fluid and powder
Beads
Hot glue gun
Woodburner
Workable Fixative
Alcohol InkI

I started out with the basic Proxxon Tools  that I use the most frequently, my saw, sander and rotary tool. Did you notice in the picture, the end piece of the rotary tool? That is the end of the flexshaft and I just love it. It's just like holding a pen in your hand but you can do so much with it, depending upon which type of burr you are using in it.

I cut the canteen gourd in half with my Proxxon Jig Saw, cleaned the insides out and then sanded the edges off with my Delta Oscillating Sander. Once the gourd was all prepped and ready to go, I then drew a pattern on the front and wood burned the design into the gourd. I then used my Proxxon Rotary Tool and a round burr to carve out part of the front to make it look like rough and bumpy. I also carved out the mask eye area and the mouth area.When this was finished, I inked the top and bottom of the gourd mask with alcohol ink and heat set it and then sprayed on workable fixative to keep the ink from coming off. Once that was done, I painted the inside of the mask eye area with gold acrylic paint and when it was dry brushed on embossing fluid and sprinkled embossing powder on it and heat set it also. I used Plaid Paints ( Brushed Metals and Color Shifts) in various colors to color in the design on the mask. I also used Stickles paints to make the raised bumps. I used some beads that I had on hand and glued them onto the face of the mask too.

Here's an in progress picture, prior to doing the eyes, nose or mouth.

And here are just a few of the feathers that I had to choose from to put on top of the gourd. I chose carefully and created the top and also tied the porcupine quills together and then glued them to the sides of the masks.

This is a picture of the finished mask before I put it into the frame and after I had mounted it onto the backer board.

Here is the finished project after putting it into the frame. My Proxxon Tools and the Plaid Paints really helped me make an awesome Native American mask. How do you like it? Have you been to www.proxxon.com and checked out all the awesome tools and accessories that they have for them? If not then you sure should because their products are terrific and very easy to use.

Barbara