I love to make puppets for people!
I offer all kinds of custom works, but the one that comes up most often is a one-of-a-kind Sock Puppet based on a real person or your idea! (And often a portrait of that puppet, too!)
My most common custom puppet is that of a friend, loved one, or wedding couple.
Pictured here is a wedding couple whom I was honored to do a portrait of. I also designed all of their related wedding materials, which I can also get you a quote for.
For puppets based on real people, I start from some photos, but I also ask that you send me some info about the person.
Custom puppets of people are, essentially, caricatures, so let me know specific elements that I can focus on, whether they are physical or just aspects of this person's personality.
For instance: somebody's hair, eyebrows or nose might be their most dominant feature - or they are an artist who is always covered in paint or plays the guitar...
I begin with a sketch that I will send to you for comments. I then rough out the dominant features and attach them with non-permanent tape.
At this juncture I again get your feedback. I then finalize the puppet.
If we are also doing a portrait, with the final puppet I do a preliminary shoot. If you are happy with the preliminary shoot, we go ahead and make the final portrait (cleaning up the photo and correcting colors), or I can take one round of revisions here, as well.
Pictured here is a favorite commission in which a family asked that I immortalize their beloved and beaten-up Honda Civic, Bif, in sock puppet form.
So...I'm open to ideas...
For puppets based on your idea, you can either send me a written description or a sketch or doodle of your own.
The process is meant to be fun and participatory, and I ultimately want you to end up with a special gift or artwork unlike anything else.
Custom Puppets start at $200 per puppet.
It is an additional $200 if you would also like a Sock Puppet Portrait of your puppet. The portrait comes as a 2”x3” small framed photo, and $10 per additional 2”x3”. Larger and custom sizes are available, please inquire.
While I retain the image rights and ask for the ability to use the image into perpetuity, you also have access to the image files and can use them freely for non-commercial purposes. Larger portraits or custom sizes are available at other rates.
If you are with a commercial organization and looking for licensed character, there is a different rate and process, please contact me.
Please note that what's stated are my starting rates. There is room for negotiation, both up and down. I am empathetic to the fact that $200 is a lot of money for a sock puppet, but please understand that the process actually takes a very long time.
Add an additional $50 to shoot if you need two puppets shot in one picture ( I require an assistant for these shoots).
Please contact me with any questions or to schedule a puppet. How quickly I can execute the piece depends on my current work-load at the time, though it is typically at least one month.
It is also possible to negotiate rush fees and so forth.