Heh, of course my first post would be a lego creation. A quick note about me: I love LEGO. Have longer (in my life) than many kids today; had them since I've been like, 1 or 2. Anyway, I currently work at the LEGO Imagination Center at Downtown Disney Orlando.
I've done many things there, but my favorite job was when I was once part of the Demo team; we did all the events and created many displays for the store, short of the massive displays. However, that's long since been disbanded, so I usually get my joy of building in any event I do (such as the recent Festival of the Masters Mural, or our Master Builder classes), or when I get a chance on the side. Experimenting with new or interesting pieces on our wall, making new combinations, or when I'm out in the play area with all the kids, building among them. I usually always start by putting together some random pieces; I never know what I'm going to do at first. I always just seem to feel out what the creation will be, much like a sculptor with a block of stone or clay. As I add to it, it begins to take its shape.
Anyway, on to the creation! At one time, before our recent renovation, we had a massive T-Rex sculpture outside the store; it was a massive replica of a former set. One day, I had started to put together pieces to a head, and putting some particular wing pieces together gave me the impression of a crocodile dundee hat, and I decided to run with it.
Here we see the workings being put together. I had already given him mostly legs, body and his head, with the obvious 'outback' style hat. He's even wearing sunglasses. The red is supposed to be his flannel shirt, with obvious blue jeans. The green are the straps of his backpack, keeping his hiking pack attached. I ended up blending a sort of hiker/mountie/outbacker look.
Here's a closer look at his body, complete with his buttons. This gives a better look at the way I way able to get SNOT (studs not on top) construction to build his backpack components. I love SNOT pieces; they are so versatile, and allow you to do so much. In this case, it allowed me to add arms, a backpack, and a set of details in all directions. The only finagling is the front top green strap; I just sort of fit it in.
Possibly my favorite part: the backpack. I remember it took some work to look just right, and even then, it wasn't perfect. In my defense, I was working with whatever was out in the Play area brick. On the top is his strapped down sleeping back, with the bulk of his goods placed in the bag; I even found a broken chair piece to be a pocket. At the bottom is a hanging stove, mess kit, and utensils; important gear for any trip.
These are just a couple of images showing off the feet. I wasn't sure really how to proceed here, so I kinda went with it. SNOT pieces to make the shoes pace outward, and, as seen from the first image, I could use the studs as the tread of the boots. On the second image, the top of the shoes can be seen. Not as proud of it, but I do like the way I did the shoelaces. No aglets, though.
The arms weren't too difficult. I just added a one stud piece to the SNOT parts on the side, then added a red 2x4 plate onto it to hide it on the side, as well as provide a viable look for a sleeve. I wasn't able to center them, in order to look more natural, so I knew I'd have to have the arms in some particular position upwards. The arms are on the side of the plate, looking as though they're pulling up the sleeve. To have 'em hinged, it was a simple matter of making stacked bricks, one for one section of arm, and then two enclosing it to allow a decent hinge (it worked out the forearm was bigger=beefier) and then they were placed in a wild array as though he was riding.
Now here he is, all finished. I positioned his arms so he was a bit less wild, and more dignified. While it was physically impossible given the hinges I'd used, from a guest's position on the ground, it would appear his first arm is clutching the brim of his hat in a sort of salute or greeting to those looking. His second arm, while still a bit wild, is more in a sweeping wave to those onlooking.
And there he is sitting on his mount, the mighty T-Rex. Hiking can really get tiring, especially in dino-infested woods, so why not hitch a ride. While you're at it, keep yourself safe by riding the biggest predator around! Easy to see him in the first, up-close image. However, you can barely notice him in the second. He's the whitish spot right at the connection of the tail and back legs; he almost looks like part of the background roof.
I hope you enjoyed my first post, and my smallish contribution to what displays we once had (he was gone the next day; my Mickey Mouse lasted several weeks,and almost became a decent hidden mickey!)
