Artist Kim Beaton constructed a massive Tree Troll with the help of 25 volunteers. The paper mache design is composed entirely of non-toxic materials – paper, glue, acrylic paint, wood, screws, metal plates… “nothing that gave off fumes or couldn’t be washed of with soap and water.” It stands 12-feet tall and was constructed in just 15 days.
In an interview with Artisan Denizen, Kim explained the thought process behind the sculpture: “The Tree Troll is a portrait of my Dad, Hezzie Strombo. He was a lumberjack in Montana for most of our lives. He had died a few months prior at 80 years old. On June 2nd, at 3am, I woke from a dream with a clear vision burning in my mind. The image of my dad, old, withered and ancient, transformed into one of the great trees, sitting quietly in a forest. I leaped from my bed, grabbed some clay and sculpted like my mind was on fire. In 40 minutes I had a rough sculpture that said what it needed to. The next morning I began making phone calls, telling my friends that in 6 days time we would begin on a new large piece. The next 6 days, I got materials and made more calls. On June 8th we began, and 15 days later we were done. I have never in my life been so driven to finish a piece.”
