So What's Happening Pinacate and Her Stalwart Buddy Paisano?

Pinacate hard at work at a photo shoot in the studio.

I'm the worlds worst procrastinator and so haven't posted in over a year.  Sorry about that.  For those of you who have been wondering about the Paisano Y Pinacate Project, fear not, it's still in the works!  So what has happened behind the scenes?

1.  After about a year of working (and struggling) with the large figure of Paisano, I've decided to have a local metal worker make me a metal armature with ball and socket joints.  The idea is to have a large figure (he's over 3' tall) that I can move around for photography.  This change will make my life much easier in the studio. 

2. I've been struggling with the format for output of the stories.  Originally, I thought I would blog some basics, create more detailed works, publish (and sell) those elsewhere, and have a separate website.  The original goal (to which I am still dedicated) is to create stories about the geology, flora and fauna of the American southwest in an inexpensive and accessible format for all ages, but especially younger readers.  At this point, I have decided to keep up the blog, but set up a website with blog-esque elements (short story tidbits) and sell the stories via Kindle e-books.  This was a difficult decision because I want as many people as possible to see the stories, but not have to pay much.  With so many people having smartphones and other devices this is truly the easiest way to get the works out there.

3.  I have been researching topics to cover.  The first set of stories will be set in White Sands, an area recognizable to most people but not well understood.  The second will cover the Upper Gila Watershed, the last free-flowing river in NM.  The Gila is painfully under-appreciated, even by New Mexicans and I would like to increase awareness a bit.  Third topic - the San Augustine Plains, current home to the VLA, but a biologically important place as well.

4.  I have been experimenting with digital techniques to find something that looks right and brings the two large figures to life.  After logging way to many hours on Photoshop, I have settled on a type of digital collage containing watercolor paintings, photographs of specific textures and still photographs of the posed figures.  Each image requires many hours of work, not including formatting for text. Whew!

5.  The funny thing about all the wrestling with P and P is that Pinacate has emerged as the dominant character.  Originally, I thought that Paisano would be top dog (or bird, as the case may be), but the little beetle (about 1' long) is number one. This has changed how I write the stories.

So, work continues.  Stay tuned!