Henson Studio


While sketching at the Florida Film Festival wrap party, Margaret Nolan introduced herself to me. This was the first time I had met her in person. I requested to become a facebook friend with her when I saw that she had tagged some colorful photos of a production of Panther and the Cane. Margaret’s tag lead me to research the Ibex Puppetry Company and I discovered a whole series of wonderful development drawings produced by Heather Henson, for the show. I immediately e-mailed Heather and asked if I could tag along for rehearsals and any last minute creative work being done. I was thrilled when she e-mailed me back. She explained that she had obsessively kept sketch journals at different periods of her life and so she fully understood my mission.
Heather suggested I go to the Henson studio and watch Tamara Marke Lares who is an amazing artist, working on the costumes for the show. The studio is located in this colorful old building downtown. I knocked on the door but there was no answer. I looked in the doors glass panes through some light lace curtains and saw a fantastic explosion of shapes and colors. Blue gossamer birds hung from the ceiling, a mannequin head was on the mantle piece with pins sticking out of its head and assorted bits and pieces of colorful fabric were everywhere. There was no chance I could walk away from that door. I assumed Tamara wasn’t in yet so I did what any artist-journalist would do, I camped out in front of the house and began to sketch. Before the sketch was complete Tamara and Craig, her husband drove up. Since we had met previously, the introductions were short and sweet and Tamara quickly got to work…

5 thoughts on “Henson Studio

  1. Wow! That is one of the most interesting entries yet! I am intrigued that Heather Henson has a small studio here in town. It’s wonderful.

    I wanted to drop you a line to let you know that Wayburn Sassy will be set up out in front of the Shakespeare Building in Loch Haven on the night of the Fringe Preview! He’ll be there in front of a backdrop interviewing patrons and artists on camera as they enter the event. This is on the evening of April the 13th!

    I sure hope that you’ll be there and can do a sketch of our local celebrity hard at work promoting himself, the Fringe and his online website!

  2. dewey,
    I am afraid I will be up in Washington DC smelling the cherry blossoms on the 13th so sadly I will once again miss Wayburn Sassy. Keep me updated as to his whereabouts during the Fringe Festival proper and I will find him!
    I of course encourage any readers to go out and see the Fringe Preview!

  3. Well, that will be worth missing the preview! Enjoy!

    Wayburn and our Dewey TeeVee crew will be set up on the Loch Haven lawn throughout Fringe filming patrons and artists for our channel.

    We look forward to seeing you there, Thomas.

    Have a wonderful time in DC! Sketch something up there, would ya? LOL

  4. So glad I could have a hand in leading you to Heather, IBEX, and Crane. We are so lucky and blessed to have them as part of our community…and to have YOU here too!

Comments are closed.