Bess The Camel
Madame Tussauds of Hollywood contacted us when they needed a camel for their Peter O’Toole, Lawrence of Arabia exhibit. They requested that she be prettier than the “real thing” and be in a sitting position with a saddle so that visitors could climb onto her saddle for a photo opportunity.
We like to see the real version of any animal we will be constructing for ourselves when possible and in this case it was. We were able to measure and photograph several real camels.
A team of highly skilled artists was assembled and sculpting began. Bess was built as a solid fiberglass body with an inner steel frame to support the guests who would sit on the saddle. Her body was covered by piecing together cowhide, mohair and kalgan lambskins. Her head was flocked and her big beautiful eyes custom made. A final paint added highlights and shading.
We transported Bess from our West Hills Studio to our eagerly waiting clients where she now lives amongst the many wax figures of Madame Tussauds Hollywood.
Our build team for this project:
Sculptors by Adrian Romo and Sue Laprelle.
Moldmaking by Hipolito Ramirez and Daniel Montez.
Figure Finishing by our Chief Critter Aina O’Kane and Tracey Roberts.
Final paint - by Erick De La Vega.
We are grateful and want to say a huge Thank You to Drew Potton and Madame Tussauds Hollywood giving us the opportunity to create such a beautiful girl.
