exhibits:

Bandelier
National Monument

Crater Lake National Park

Cumberland Island
National Seashore

Fort Moultrie
National Monument

 LADPW Topo Map

Manassas National
Battlefield Park

Padre Island
National Seashore

Sebana Seca Naval Base

Shenandoah National Park

Wrangell -St. Elias
National Park & Preserve

Badlands National Park

Ben Reifel Visitor Center, South Dakota

This visitor center is huge with many exhibits illustrating the unique geography and geology found in and around the Badlands. There are painted murals backing large dioramas representing the changing landscape's flora & fauna through the various geological eras as found in the fossil record. My part of the project was very small in comparison to whole and once again, thanks to Color-Ad, Inc. I was not in on the installation so all my images are of the models before they left my studio. Although I hope to take a trip out there soon and take some photos of the models in their proper environment.

Click on the model listed below or scroll down to see more images

Tortoise

Based on the images of fossil casts of a Stylemys (prehistoric tortoise) provided by the park a urethane cast of a Desert Tortoise was modified to match the carapace features. The model was then painted with vinyl acrylics in the color scheme of the modern Desert Tortoise.

Approximate size is 5"H x 14"W x 11"D.

 

<--Back to Top

Alligator

For this model a urethane cast of a modern alligator was modified and painted with vinyl acrylics to match the color scheme of a modern alligator. Approximate size is 6"H x 45"L x 12"D.

<--Back to Top

Prairie Dog Family

This model is intended to represent a prairie dog family in the burrow. These are attached but were carved from urethane foam separately and then assembled and detailed with Polygem sculpturing epoxy. Approximate size is 9"H x 4"W x 4"D.

<--Back to Top

Standing Prairie Dog

This model represents a pairie dog standing alert at the top of the burrow. He was carved from urethane foam and detailed with Polygem sculpturing epoxy.

Approximate size is 9"H x 4"W x 4"D.

<--Back to Top

Burrowing Owl

This model is intended to represent a burrowing owl with a fresh killed field mouse. The model was carved from urethane foam with wires added for the legs and mouse appendages. Detailed in Polygem, it was then painted with vinyl acrylics.

Approximate size is 9"H x 5"W x 2.5"D.

<--Back to Top

Swift Fox

 

For this model a urethane foam form of a red fox was purchased and modified to the correct dimensions and pose. The form was then detailed in Polygem and painted with vinyl acrylics.

Approximate size is 12'H x 22"W x 7"D.

<--Back to Top

Golden Eagle

 

This natural history model is probably the coolest one I've produced to date. The wings were cut in one piece from .040" aluminum sheet metal. After riveting stainless steel attaching points, the metal was etched and reinforced with fiberglass for rigidity and strength. Casts of a golden eagle skull and talons were purchased and modified for a true beak and cranial structure. These were incorporated into the Polygem detailing of all the feathers and painted in vinyl acrylics. Approximate size is 12"H X 70"L x 14"D.

<--Back to Top

Topograhic Map

This is a paint job based on satelite images of the park and surrounding areas. Color-Ad, Inc. cut the topographical relief map from urethane foam. The lines represent roads and park boundaries. After the paint job, text and lighting were added. The map sits flat in the visitor center with a surround and informational graphics. You know, the "You are Here" thing.

Approximate size is 60"W x 84" L x 4"H.

<--Back to Top