Tech 2 o Center, El Paso, Texas
Chihuahuan desert diorama
I KRESEK ART STUDIO worked closely with the taxidermist coordinating the angle and mounting holes for the cougar on this frame. It was later built up with foam and acrylic media to create the rock perch.
In order to make this rainbow cactus look authentic, KRESEK ART STUDIO used a real cactus for the mold. The first step was to remove all the spines and set them aside (upper left). After casting the mold with foam, it was painted with acrylic paints and then the spines that I had removed from the original (lower left) were reattached. The final imitation cactus, on the right, has many of the characteristics of the original plant.
Top left, top right and lower right: these photos show my process of recreating a Mesquite tree for this diorama: a mesquite tree was shipped to me in two refrigerator boxes (it had been removed from a new construction site). After dehydrating and fumigating it, the parts were reassembled with steel rods, into removable sections. Over two thousand mesquite leaves were made from wire and acrylic (upper right), using a few leaves and pods that had been on the original tree as models. All of the pieces were delivered to the site and reassembled the tree there, wiring the leaves to the branches.
The final picture (lower left) shows transitioning of the foreground three-dimensional elements, like the Englemann's Prickly Pear cactus (the lighter cactus on the left which is cast from foam) into the images on the background mural behind it.
The final picture (lower left) shows transitioning of the foreground three-dimensional elements, like the Englemann's Prickly Pear cactus (the lighter cactus on the left which is cast from foam) into the images on the background mural behind it.
The completed diorama showcases the flora and fauna that can be seen in the Chihuahuan Desert, located in Texas and Northern Mexico, at sunset.
KRESEK ART STUDIO - joankresek@gmail.com