Hello all!  

I have been asked to make a cougar (our school mascot) jumping through a flaming hoop for our school carnival (next fall). Has anyone made a cougar or a mountain lion?  Usually the cats I make are cutesy (and pink).  If at all possible I would like to form it out of rounds so that it lasts longer than 260s but I can't find anything close to use as an inspiration piece.  Curious if anyone has done anything like this. I am not concerned about the hoop, that part will be easy- just the cougar. Fortunately, I have until october to figure it out and practice but I was surprised not to find anything in my google search.

Thanks in advance!
Brandy

Michael Gjerek I recall did a lion from rounds on a plinth.
This is his facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/michael.gjerek?fref=ts

It was a few years ago now so might be at the back of one of his albums.

PS, I just found it by posting this in the google bar, Michael Gjerek balloon lion

Also Ori Livney made an excellent lion but from 260/350's but worth a look.

Again in the google bar type, Ori Livney balloon lion.

Thanks Graham! Those are both great examples. Michael's is breathtaking   . The tricky part for me is figuring out how to do the "haunches" to make them look beefy. I'll post a pic when I finally make it. In the meantime, ice cream cones, angry birds, and centerpieces to do- much easier!!!

Best,
Brandy

Adding on as I just had a thought! :idea:  I wonder if I could stuff a 646 to make the legs have the right shape?? I have been working on my people legs but never considered doing an animal leg- not sure how the bends in the leg would work but I may give that a try. Then I could raisin twist legs to a (perhaps also stuffed) body and add a twisted head... The goal is for this to last 5 days outside at an elementary school so the thicker I can make it, the better.

**Updated to include the lion I forgot to post- unfortunately I did not take a close up . I ended up making the body look more like a peanut shape and glue dotting the legs and tail to it.  Used three small balloons stuffed in the head and attached nose then drew on eyes and whiskers. It was pretty cute from the front.